Achieving optimal oral function to improve overall health

Did you know that your tongue's resting position can impact everything from the way you breathe, chew, and swallow to the way you look and speak?

Fortunately, you can correct an abnormal tongue position with myofunctional therapy. Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT) is a therapeutic approach that provides neuromuscular re-education to the muscles of the orofacial complex to promote nasal breathing, adequate lip closure, proper tongue resting position, and a healthy swallowing pattern.

Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy is designed to assess and treat various disorders related to the muscles and functions of the mouth and face. Here are some of the ways OMT can help:

1. Correcting swallowing problems: OMT can help individuals with abnormal swallowing patterns, such as tongue thrusting. By teaching proper tongue placement and strengthening the relevant muscles, it can help improve swallowing function.
2. Enhancing speech and articulation: OMT can assist in improving speech difficulties caused by incorrect tongue positioning during speech production. By training the muscles involved in speech and establishing correct oral rest posture, individuals can develop clearer articulation and improved speech.
3. Addressing breathing issues: OMT can aid individuals with breathing difficulties, such as mouth breathing or snoring, by promoting nasal breathing and improving overall respiratory function.
4. Eliminating thumb or finger sucking habits: OMT can help break the habit of persistent thumb or finger sucking by retraining the muscles in and around the mouth, including the tongue, lips and jaw. This helps correct improper muscle patterns and function that contribute to oral habits.