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Oral myofunctional therapy is like physical therapy or an exercise program specifically for the muscles of the tongue, mouth, and face. Myofunctional therapy uses daily stretches and exercises to reactivate, strengthen, and retrain the muscles to treat orofacial myofunctional disorders (OMDs).  OMD’s are when the muscles of your mouth and face don’t work the right way, making things like breathing, chewing, or swallowing harder than they should be.  OMD’s overtime can cause airway and breathing problems, pain and tension, and may health problems you may not think have the connection. The goals of therapy are to create proper tongue and oral resting posture, nasal breathing, and swallowing correct and normalized. 

There are many adults and children that can change their life from this therapy. If you have a history of or are currently in orthodontics, have TMJ disorder or pain, experience snoring, sleep apnea or upper airway resistance syndrome, have a tongue thrust, swallow incorrectly, or have a tongue tie you are likely a great candidate for therapy.  Some most common symptoms that can be explained during a comprehensive exam are; poor sleep and fatigue, brain fog, reflux and digestive issues, TMJ oral facial pain, clenching and grinding, teeth movement after braces,  trouble chewing or swallowing,  tension in neck and shoulders, forward posture and poor posture, anxiety and depression, mouth breathing, frequent respiratory infection and ear tubes in children, ADHD, bed wetting,  and frequent dental decay and gum disease despite proper brushing and flossing.

The earlier in life you treat myofunctional impairment, the fewer symptoms and complications you will have. The age you are now is the perfect age to start! While our therapy plans are designed for adults. Teens, and children ages 5+, infants and toddlers can benefit from frenectomies and exercises that encourage proper function. Please schedule a free consultation if you have questions regarding how you or your child may benefit from myofunctional therapy.

Everyone is different! Your myofunctional therapy plan is customized to you and your therapy plan will reflect that.  You will notice some changes after the first few sessions, but the therapy exercises build, and the full benefits can take time.  Myofunctional therapy is an individualized plan based on your unique concerns and level of impairment. The treatment time can vary, typically anywhere from 6-12 months. This depends on the age of the client, the severity of the impairment and symptoms, and the commitment of the client to their exercise plan and goals. There are also situations where we may pause therapy so you can have a procedure like jaw expansion, orthodontics, a tongue tie release, ect… This will extend your therapy time.  I find that some patients will take away what they learned, and they can continue to practice these on their own.  Some therapy programs will include a check up on your progress even after finishing therapy sessions with me.

This is customized to you.  We base this on your lifestyle and level of impairment.  Some therapy sessions can be time sensitive, such as therapy before or after a tongue tie release.  It is possible that we can meet every two weeks if schedules can accommodate this.  Some clients will need more comprehensive therapy with more sessions, and their therapy plan can include weekly sessions in the beginning and longer stretches between therapy as the master different exercises.  Others may need more time (3-4 weeks) between sessions and fewer sessions.  

Everyone is different! Your myofunctional therapy plan is customized to you and your therapy plan will reflect that.  You will notice some changes after the first few sessions, but the therapy exercises build, and the full benefits can take time.  Myofunctional therapy is an individualized plan based on your unique concerns and level of impairment. The treatment time can vary, typically anywhere from 6-12 months. This depends on the age of the client, the severity of the impairment and symptoms, and the commitment of the client to their exercise plan and goals. There are also situations where we may pause therapy so you can have a procedure like jaw expansion, orthodontics, a tongue tie release, ect… This will extend your therapy time.  I find that some patients will take away what they learned, and they can continue to practice these on their own.  Some therapy programs will include a check up on your progress even after finishing therapy sessions with me. 

As with any therapy or exercise program, daily practice leads to bigger gains and faster improvement in symptoms. Your commitment is essential to your success! Assigned exercises require active practice for a total of 10-20 minutes a day. A lot can be performed for a few minutes in the morning and a few minutes at night.  I find that even our busiest families and patients can accomplish easily.