You may not have heard of myofunctional therapy, but if you or your child struggles with mouth breathing, tongue thrust, improper swallowing, or has been told they need orthodontic treatment, it could be exactly what you need.
What Is Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy?
Orofacial myofunctional therapy (OMT) is a specialized treatment that retrains the muscles of the face, mouth, and throat to function properly. It addresses dysfunctional habits and patterns involving the tongue, lips, jaw, and facial muscles.
Think of it as physical therapy, but for the muscles around your mouth and face.
What Conditions Does It Treat?
Myofunctional therapy addresses a range of conditions, including:
- Tongue thrust — the tongue pushes forward against or between the teeth during swallowing or at rest
- Mouth breathing — habitual breathing through the mouth instead of the nose
- Improper tongue resting posture — the tongue rests low in the mouth instead of against the palate
- Thumb sucking and pacifier habits that have affected oral development
- Open bite or other orthodontic issues caused by orofacial muscle dysfunction
- TMJ/TMD — temporomandibular joint dysfunction often related to muscle imbalance
- Sleep-disordered breathing — including snoring and mild obstructive sleep apnea
- Difficulty with chewing or swallowing
How Does It Work?
Myofunctional therapy uses a series of exercises and techniques to:
- Establish nasal breathing — retraining the body to breathe through the nose, which is the healthier default
- Correct tongue resting posture — training the tongue to rest against the roof of the mouth with lips sealed
- Normalize swallowing patterns — eliminating tongue thrust and establishing a mature swallow pattern
- Strengthen orofacial muscles — building strength and coordination in the lips, tongue, and cheeks
- Eliminate harmful habits — such as thumb sucking, nail biting, or cheek chewing
Treatment typically involves weekly sessions with a qualified orofacial myologist, plus daily home exercises (usually 10–15 minutes). A full treatment program generally runs 6–12 months.
Who Benefits From Myofunctional Therapy?
Children
- Kids who breathe through their mouth
- Children with a tongue thrust that's affecting their bite
- Those in orthodontic treatment (or preparing for it)
- Children who still suck their thumb past age 4-5
- Kids with speech sound errors related to tongue placement
Adults
- Adults with TMJ pain linked to muscle dysfunction
- People who snore or have mild sleep apnea
- Adults preparing for or recovering from orthodontic treatment
- Anyone with persistent tongue thrust or open mouth posture
Learn more about how myofunctional therapy for adults can address these concerns.
The Connection to Orthodontics
One of the most important reasons to consider myofunctional therapy is its impact on orthodontic outcomes. If the underlying muscle dysfunction isn't addressed, orthodontic relapse is common — teeth can shift back after braces are removed because the tongue and lip habits that caused the problem haven't changed.
Many orthodontists now recommend myofunctional therapy before, during, or after orthodontic treatment to help maintain results.
The Connection to Sleep
Mouth breathing and improper tongue posture are increasingly recognized as contributing factors to sleep-disordered breathing in both children and adults. By establishing nasal breathing and proper tongue posture, myofunctional therapy can improve airway patency and sleep quality.
In children, mouth breathing can affect facial growth and development, leading to a narrow palate, crowded teeth, and a longer facial profile. Addressing these habits early can support healthier craniofacial development.
What to Expect in Treatment
A typical myofunctional therapy program includes:
- Comprehensive evaluation — assessing tongue posture, swallowing pattern, breathing habits, and orofacial muscle function
- Customized exercise program — targeting the specific areas of dysfunction
- Weekly sessions — to learn new exercises, review progress, and advance the program
- Daily home exercises — consistency is key; exercises typically take 10–15 minutes
- Habit elimination — systematic programs to stop thumb sucking or other oral habits
"I love that myofunctional therapy gets to the root cause. We're not just treating symptoms -- we're retraining the muscles so the changes last." — Laura Friedman, MS, CCC-SLP, QOM
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Whether for yourself or your child, myofunctional therapy can make a lasting difference. Schedule a consultation to find out if myofunctional therapy is the right fit for your needs.