An orofacial myofunctional disorder (OMD) is a disorder characterized by improper tongue, jaw, and lip positioning during swallowing, feeding and speaking. Patients with this disorder often present with:
- Mouth breathing
- Low tongue posture. Resting the tongue on the lower teeth versus the roof of the mouth
- An imbalanced bite
- Forward protrusion of the tongue during swallowing
The impaired movement patterns of an OMD can result in abnormal growth of the mouth, jaw, face, teeth and even airway. It also leads to the overcompensation of other muscles of the head and neck causing tension and even pain at times.
What is Myofunctional Therapy Treatment?
Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMFT) is the “neuromuscular re-education” or “re-patterning” of the oral and facial muscles. It is an exercise based treatment that teaches patients how to use their tongue and facial muscles properly to eliminate orofacial myofunctional disorders. It can eliminate mouth breathing, support healthy facial growth and development, and optimize feeding and swallowing. It can also reduce symptoms related to TMJ and sleep disordered breathing/Obstructive Sleep Apnea.
An Orofacial Myofunctional Therapist (OMFT) can be an instrumental figure in helping a patient learn to retrain the orofacial muscles as well as advocating for patients with other allied health professionals. OMFTs are skilled at helping children and adults gain control over muscular habits of the face and tongue.
Our very own in-house OMFT and Registered Dental Hygienist, Adrianna Cockroft is able to comprehensively identify, evaluate, and treat OMD related conditions.
With four main goals in mind, she uses this therapy to restore function to the dental and craniofacial muscles. The four main goals are as follows:
- Nasal breathing
- Lip seal
- High tongue posture
- Correct swallow pattern
Signs of dysfunction are the opposite:
- Mouth breathing
- Low tongue posture
- Lips apart/mouth open
- Tongue thrust swallow
Causes of Dysfunction
Causes of dysfunction typically start with the tongue. A low tongue posture can inhibit the growth and development of the teeth and can cause airway restriction. The tongue is responsible for shaping the palate and is a large part of the airway. Things such as tongue-tie, birth trauma, early feeding experiences and childhood habits could all be sources of a dysfunctional tongue. Having a fully functional tongue is very important to everyday function.
Other related signs and symptoms to look out for are:
- Snoring
- Acid reflux
- Indigestion
- Frequent headaches
- Jaw pain
- Daytime tiredness
- Bad breath in the morning
- Sensitive gag reflex
- Hard time swallowing pills
Patient Review
Take the First Step Toward Better Breathing, Swallowing & Oral Health
If you or your child experience mouth breathing, snoring, jaw pain, or other symptoms of orofacial dysfunction, myofunctional therapy could be the solution. Our in-house myofunctional therapist specializes in retraining facial muscles for improved breathing, swallowing, and overall wellness. Whether you’re struggling with sleep issues, TMJ discomfort, or improper tongue posture, we can help you achieve lasting relief and optimal function.
Schedule a consultation today to see if myofunctional therapy is right for you. Call Thompson Advanced Dentistry at 970-205-9614. Your path to better oral and overall health starts here.