What is Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy?

Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT) is neurologic re-education or repatterning of the oral and facial muscles.  OMT is a therapeutic exercise program used to correct the proper function of the tongue and facial muscles used at rest and swallowing. Simply put, OMT is physical therapy for the mouth (oro), face (facial), and regions of the neck (oropharyngeal).

The Orofacial Myofunctional Goals

The four goals of orofacial myofunctional therapy treatment include proper nasal breathing, lip seal, tongue posture and swallowing.

Nasal Breathing

Our bodies are designed to breathe through our nose. The health benefits of nasal breathing are numerous. The nose is designed to act as a natural humidifier and filtering system. Breathing through the nose also releases nitric oxide. Nitric oxide is responsible for vasodilation of the airway, killing bacteria, decreasing inflammation, increasing blood flow and increasing lung volume. Nasal breathing also helps improve sleep and sports performance.

Proper Lip Seal

Our lips should rest naturally and comfortably together. When your mouth is closed you benefit from all of the health benefits of nasal breathing as mentioned above. When your lips are sealed you sleep better at night and have a lower risk of tooth decay and gum disease.

Mouth breathing starts when you can’t get enough air through the nose. Consequently, you are forced to breathe through your mouth out of necessity, and this can become a life-long habit if not corrected. It is important to understand that mouth breathing and an open mouth posture are the same thing and can be detrimental to your health. Some of the most common causes of mouth breathing are allergies, food sensitivities, enlarged tonsils or adenoids, chronic nasal congestion, respiratory infection, asthma, deviated septum and nasal polyps. Nasal breathing becomes impossible if these physical limitations are not corrected.

Tongue Posture

Mouth breathing alters the way the tongue functions and where it rests in the mouth. The proper resting place of the tongue is in the entire palate (roof) of the mouth; however, when your mouth is open, the tongue rests in the bottom of the mouth. This leads to an underdeveloped oral musculature. Improper tongue posture can also cause problems with speech, swallowing, breathing and chewing. When the tongue rests low in the mouth, it pushes forward or laterally during each swallow. This is known as a tongue thrust.

When the tongue is in the proper place, it will naturally expand the palate, prevent crowding of your teeth and open the sinuses. The tongue plays an important role in your facial appearance. This is especially true for children as they are still growing. A child whose mouth breathing is not corrected may suffer from abnormal facial development. Symptoms of untreated mouth breathing include long, narrow faces and mouths, weak chins, smaller lower jaws, and less defined cheek bones. Other indicators include gummy smiles and crooked teeth.

Swallowing Pattern

When swallowing your tongue should move up and back in a wave like motion. If the tongue moves down and forward, it is called a tongue thrust, which can negatively affect facial growth patterns. A tongue thrust can cause poor tooth position, and if left untreated an orthodontic relapse can occur. A tongue thrust can increase the amount of air swallowed when eating which leads to acid reflux, bloating, and stomach discomfort.

Common Orofacial
Myofunctional Disorders (OMDs)

Tongue Thrust / Tongue Tie

Tongue thrust, often known as an infantile swallow, is the most common term used to describe a myofunctional disorder.  It is characterized by a low and forward tongue position in the mouth.  The tongue rests on or between the teeth and pushes forward, or laterally, during each swallow.  The resting position can actually cause more damage to the dentition and occlusion that the thrusting motion of the tongue. A tongue tie can be described as an abnormal shortness of the connecting tissue under the tongue, limiting the tongue’s movement.  The limiting movement can interfere with oral development, feeding, and speech.

Mouth Breathing

Mouth breathing does not provide the same benefits as nasal breathing and leads to many consequences such as abnormal facial and dental development.  Breathing through the mouth also creates a dry oral environment which can lead to irritation, inflammation, bad breath and an increased risk for tooth decay. The research shows that mouth breathing can also increase the risk for memory problems, anxiety/panic attacks, depression, ADHD, behavioral issues and sleep disordered breathing (sleep apnea and upper airway resistance syndrome). Any person who has a mouth breathing habit, also has a tongue thrust.  The two disorders go hand-in-hand.

Sucking Habits (past or present)

If a child has a thumb or finger sucking habit, this clearly has a negative impact on the dentition (teeth) and the formation of the facial structures. These noxious habits can also change the way the tongue grows and functions. Previous thumb or finger sucking habits as children can be seen in adults as a tongue thrust. The oral muscular dysfunctions created by the thumb or finger sucking as a child will often need neuromuscular re-education through therapeutic exercises. 

High / Narrow Palate

When the tongue is functioning properly, it should act as a natural retainer to fill the palate and maintain a broad maxillary (upper) arch.  However, if a person has developed a tongue thrust swallowing pattern, the tongue is positioned low and forward in the mouth.  When you see a high, narrow palate, this is a sign that the tongue is not resting in the proper position.

History of Airway Concerns

This includes chronic allergies and congestion, asthma, enlarged (or removed) adenoids and/or tonsils, deviated nasal septum, and sinus problems.  Anything that makes breathing difficult for a person, whether in the past or present, can cause a tongue thrust pattern to develop.  If a person is physically unable to breathe through their nose, they are forced to breathe with an open mouth.  Sleep apnea and snoring are signs of airway concerns as well. 

Sleep Disorders

“Subsequent reports confirmed that sleep disorders and, in particular, SDB were associated with a clinical presentation of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).  Prepubertal children with disturbed nocturnal sleep, instead of presenting with daytime sleepiness, manifest their daytime impairment with hyperactivity.  Snoring may be related to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) or upper-airway resistance syndrome, but hyperactivity and inattention are present in both cases.”

 

-Dr. Christian Guilleminault

Would you Benefit from Myofunctional Therapy?

Mouth breathing disrupts our bodies natural mechanisms, which can and lead to several symptoms such as:

  • Mouth Breathing
  • Clenching/Grinding
  • Daytime Sleepiness
  • Bedwetting Beyond 6 yr
  • Strong Gag Reflex
  • Picky Eating
  • Difficulty Swallowing Pills
  • Crowded Teeth
  • Asthma
  • Family History of Sleep Apnea
  • ADD/ADHD
  • Anxiety/Chronic Stress
  • Chronic Head/Neck/Shoulder Pain
  • Headaches
  • Tongue Thrusting
  • Chronic Ear Infections
  • Speech Issues
  • Thumb Sucking
  • Prolonged Pacifier
  • Snoring
  • TMJD or Jaw Pain
  • Insomnia
  • Sleep Walking
  • Frequent Sore Throat
  • Difficulty Swallowing Certain Foods
  • Open Mouth Chewing
  • Nail Biting
  • Frequent Congestion
  • Receded Chin

Ready To Learn More?

Contact me to discuss Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT), and put mouth breathing related health issues behind.

Please call 831-238-6471 or submit the form below.