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What is Myofunctional Therapy?
Myofuntional therapy is a non-invasive program designed to retrain facial muscles with a series of exercises to normalize the mouth, face, and neck used to create a correct chew and swallow function associated to myofunctional disorders.
What are Myofunctional Disorders?
Orofacial myofunctional disorders (OMD) involve specific conditions, or behaviors that are identified as having a negative impact on oral postures and functions. These negative behaviors or postures can be detrimental to dentofacial growth, development, and function. There are a wide variety of health issues which include but are not limited to tongue thrusting related to speech and swallowing; tongue forward posturing; lip incompetence; open mouth rest postures (mouth breathing); headaches; thumb and finger sucking; tongue suction and placement; and biting habits involving lips, fingers, tongue and cheeks: malocclusion: and poor digestion. Bony growths which included exostosis and mandibular tori are indications of bruxism or clenching which can be a sign of an upper airway obstruction. These problems can cause tongue rest posture, chewing, and swallowing difficulties.
Myofunctional therapy helps eliminate noxious habits, and targets increasing awareness of facial muscles and postures. Over time therapy will improve muscle tone, coordination, and swallow patterns.
Do you have any of the following signs and symptoms associated with Orofacial Myofunctional Disorder?
- Do you have an atypical swallowing with or without tongue thrust?
- Do you have an open mouth rest posture or mouth breath?
- Does your tongue rest against your teeth?
- Have your teeth moved after orthodontic treatment?
- Do you have headaches often?
- Does your jaw or neck hurt often?
- Do you chew your food with your mouth open?
- Are you a stomach or mouth breather?
- Do you have a forward head posture?
- Do you have a lisp at times with saying the “s” sounds?
- Do you have oral habits such as nail biting, pen, chewing, lip sucking or chewing, or thumb sucking?
- Do you feel your tongue comes forward when you swallow?
- Do you drool or have bloating or stomach distress after eating?
If you answer “yes” to 4 or more of these questions, you may want to make an appointment for a consult. Please contact me for further information.