Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (OMDs)
OMD refers to issues with the muscles and functions in and around the mouth, including the tongue, lips, and jaw. These problems can affect basic functions like breathing, swallowing, chewing, speaking, and even sleeping.
Do you struggle with any of the following?
- Mouth Breathing
- Tongue Thrusting
- Difficulty Swallowing
- Speech Problems
- Jaw Pain or Clicking
- Teeth and Bite Issues
- Posture Problems
- Sleep Issues
- Clenching / Grinding
- Crooked teeth
- Snoring
- Frequent headaches
Therapy can help achieve outcomes such as:
A key aspect of myofunctional therapy is teaching proper tongue posture. When the tongue rests on the roof of the mouth (instead of the bottom of the mouth), it helps promote nasal breathing.
People who breathe through their mouths often struggle with keeping their lips sealed at rest. Myofunctional therapy includes exercises that strengthen the muscles around the lips, encouraging them to stay closed while breathing.
One of the core focuses of myofunctional therapy is to retrain the muscles involved in swallowing. In normal swallowing, the tongue should press against the roof of the mouth, not the teeth.
Muscle imbalances often stem from poor habits or compensations (e.g., tongue thrusting, mouth breathing). Over time, the body “learns“ these habits and forms muscle memory. Myofunctional therapy retrains the muscles by encouraging proper movement patterns
In children, muscle imbalances can influence facial and jaw development, leading to problems such as narrow palates or improper bite alignment. Myofunctional therapy can help guide the development of the face and jaw by encouraging proper muscle use. For example, strengthening the tongue and jaw muscles in children can help create space for teeth and promote healthy growth patterns.