WHAT IS MYOFUNCTIONAL THERAPY?

Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT) is similar to physical therapy but for the face and mouth - specifically the tongue, jaw and lips. I teach adults and children a series of exercises over a period of time to help promote proper tongue posture, lip competence, nasal breathing, and correct swallowing pattern. All of these functions can have a direct affect on the airway and an individual's overall health.

It is a known fact that form always follows function. With the presence of orofacial dysfunction, there is a direct effect on jaw development, teeth alignment, and palate shape and size which can have a significant impact on the way adults and children breathe. Not only do we see changes to the internal structures, but dysfunction could also result in changes to the external, physical appearance of an individual.

FOUR GOALS OF
OROFACIAL MYOFUNCTIONAL THERAPY

Nasal Breathing
Lip Seal
Proper tongue posture
Proper swallowing pattern

WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM MYOFUNCTIONAL THERAPY?

Here is the good news, anyone at any age can benefit from myofunctional therapy!

In children, if we can address Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (OMD) early, then we can save them from a lifetime of health challenges they could face as they grow.

Adults of all ages are also capable of acheiving successful results from myofunctional therapy. Often times we see specific symptoms (examples listed below) becoming more troublesome to one's health due to OMDs as we age.

Sleep Disordered Breathing: commonly Sleep Apnea or Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome
TMJ pain + neck pain
Headaches
Orthodontic relapse
Chronic fatigue
Digestion issues

It is our goal to help you breathe properly, sleep well, and thrive through life.

WHAT TO EXPECT

We offer multiple options for appointments including virtual visits. During our initial evaluation, we can decide what will work best for each individual patient and family.

We try our best to make our myofunctional therapy sessions fun and educational! We sincerely want you to be able to easily integrate this therapy into your daily schedule and make our time together the most positive experience as possible.

Therapy is a commitment and it does take time, but we are extremely passionate about the amazing impact that it can have on the trajectory of an individual's health for life.

Our standard treatment plan consists of 12 sessions where we meet about every two weeks. Treatment needs and length can vary based on individual needs and often are in collaboration with other healthcare providers (such as: airway dentist, orthodontist, chiropractor, ENT etc.).

MOUTH BREATHING

Common Causes of Mouth Breathing:

Presence of tongue-tie
Narrow palate (no room for tongue)
Prolonged respiratory infection
Chronic nasal congestion
Allergies/Asthma
Enlarged tonsils and/or adenoids
Stress & anxiety

Potential Long Term Consequences of Mouth Breathing:

Underdeveloped oral musculature
Issues with swallowing - tongue thrust
Abnormal face and dental development
Malocclusion (bad bite/crooked teeth)
Gingivitis and gum disease
Dental decay/cavities
Chronic fatigue
Digestion issues
Sleep Disorderd Breathing
In children specifically:
- ADHD/ADD symptoms
- bed wetting
- sleep walking
- slowed growth
- trouble with academic performance

SLEEP DISORDERED BREATHING

Put simply, if we are not breathing properly, we cannot acheive quality sleep. If we aren't sleeping well, then we cannot thrive through life.

The National Institutes of Health estimates that more than 12 million Americans have sleep apnea, most often undetected or misdiagnosed.

Often times, myofunctional therapy can help reduce the severity of the symptoms of Sleep Disordered Breathing and greatly improve sleep quality through strengthening the back of the tongue, soft palate, and throat.

Common symptoms of Sleep Apnea and Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS) include:

snoring
daytime sleepiness
un-refreshing sleep
frequent arousals from sleep
headaches
poor concentration
poor performance in school, sports or work