Myofunctional Therapy
The most important orthodontic appliance that you all have and carry with you 24 hours a day is your tongue.” Robert Silkman
Myofunctional Therapy is an adjunct therapy, conducted by a licensed and trained Myofunctional Therapist, focusing on the head and face muscles. Once diagnosed by a medical or dental doctor this therapy is conducted to support the natural breathing of the individual. There are 4 goals of Myofunctional Therapy:
- Nasal Breathing: This is how humans are designed to breathe. The nose filters, warms the air and adds moisture to the air we inhale that goes to the lungs. Nitric Oxide is also converted from the nose and released to the body.
- Proper Lip Seal: To create the act of nose breathing the lips must rest naturally and comfortably together during wake and sleep time
- Tongue Posture: Tongue is meant to fill the mouth up to the roof of the mouth. It internally support the structures for the upper jaw. Once the tongue is in the right place the teeth will grow straight, and the face develop correctly.
- Swallowing Pattern: We avoid tongue thrusting forward during swallow pattern. It makes the individual swallow small amounts of air during eating and drinking if the tongue thrust forward. As an effect digestive issues like acid reflux gassiness and bloating can occur.
An open mouth due to incompetent facial and oral muscles affect facial growth and development. AS an adult mouth breathing will develop snoring and sleep apnea. A tongue tie and lip tie can also affect tongue positioning and therefore breathing. Muscles compensation due to tethered oral tissues effect into chronic jaw pain, headaches, clenching, bruxing, and malpositioning of dental structures like teeth.
A consultation with a Dental Sleep specialist to identify is there are signs and symptoms from tethered oral tissues or poor muscles function is the first step for a referral to a qualified and experienced Myofunctional Therapist.
Myofunctional Therapy for Children
Goals for Myofunctional Therapy
More Information
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