Myofunctional Therapy
Myofunctional Therapy
Breathing through the nose is considered the ideal, natural way for humans to breathe. Our lips are supposed to close together without effort, and there is an ideal position for the tongue to rest inside the mouth. When there is an abnormality with any of these mechanisms, it creates “dysfunction” in the muscles of your face. This dysfunction not only affects the way your face looks and your teeth develop, but it may also contribute to sleep apnea. At Luna Wellness Centre, we offer oral myofunctional therapy to rectify this condition in both children and adults.
What is Myofunctional Therapy?
Myofunctional therapy is used to correct improper muscle function or habits that affect dental and facial development, breathing, chewing, swallowing, and speech. It’s designed to target orofacial myofunctional disorders (OMDs) caused by the muscles and functions of the face and mouth.
OMDs can occur due to:
Blocked nasal passages (because of enlarged tonsils, allergies)
Misplaced tongue position because of prolonged use of a pacifier, thumb or finger sucking (past the age of 3)
Tongue thrust (an abnormal swallowing pattern where the tongue pushes against or between the teeth)
Habitual behaviors (resting the tongue against the teeth or clenching the jaw)
Injuries to the face, mouth, or jaw (blow to the face, jaw fracture, dental trauma)
Myofunctional therapy uses neuromuscular exercises to retrain the muscles of the face and mouth to improve their strength and coordination. It “educates” the nerves, muscles, and brain to adopt healthier habits and movements in order to improve:
Nasal breathing
Lip seal
Proper tongue posture
Correct chewing and swallowing patterns
Who Benefits from Myofunctional Therapy?
Luna Wellness Centre sees patients of all ages. Some of them start therapy as early as four years old, while some are well into their adulthood. If your child has a habit of sucking their thumbs or they rely too much on their pacifier, bring them to our office for myofunctional exercises in a fun and engaging environment.
These habits should be corrected as early as possible; otherwise, the child will have difficulty learning how to breathe, chew, and swallow. Over time, these orofacial myofunctional disorders can get so bad that they can only be treated by extensive orthodontics.
There are many adults out there suffering from temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), headaches, neck pain, sleep apnea, nail-biting/pen biting, and other problematic behavior who can benefit immensely from just a few sessions of myofunctional therapy.
If you are not sure whether it is for you, consider the following symptoms:
Daily Symptoms:
Open mouth when resting
Breathing primarily through the mouth instead of the nose
Persistent thumb or finger sucking
Pushing tongue against or between teeth
Sleep apnea symptoms such as snoring, gasping for air during sleep, and daytime fatigue
Difficulty articulating certain sounds (like the “s”, “l”, “r”)
Injuries to the face, mouth, or jaw (blow to the face, jaw fracture, dental trauma)
Habitual lip-biting or cheek-chewing
Excessive drooling beyond age two or during waking hours
Headaches resulting from muscle tension
Pain in the neck and shoulder area
Dental and Oral Health Signs:
An open bite, even when the jaw is closed
Dental misalignment or “bad bite”
Imbalance or asymmetry in facial muscle development
Trouble chewing food thoroughly or swallowing
Short or tight lingual frenulum restricting tongue movement
Higher and narrower than a typical palate
Positioning the head and neck forward
Excessive tension in facial muscles around the mouth and jaw
Sleep apnea symptoms such as snoring, gasping for air during sleep, and daytime fatigue
Delays or abnormalities in tooth eruption
Receding gums caused by improper forces exerted by lips, tongue, or cheeks
Can Myofunctional Therapy Help with Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) happens when your airway gets blocked during sleep, usually because the muscles or tissues in your throat relax too much and collapse. The breathing pauses become shallow, making breathing difficult during the night. In some cases, having a small jaw or a large tongue also makes the breathing passage more likely to collapse. If the muscles in your throat aren’t working as they should, it can also exacerbate the apnea episodes.
Myofunctional therapy can improve OSA patients’ sleep quality by strengthening these upper airway muscles and improving the position of their tongues and jaws when sleeping. The exercises are usually not enough on their own; they are used in conjunction with other treatments for sleep apnea.
Research has shown that using myofunctional exercises significantly reduces snoring, daytime fatigue, and other sleep apnea symptoms in both kids and adults. Regular sessions can decrease your Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) by as much as 50%.
Book an Appointment Today!
A large part of your physical wellbeing is connected to your oral facial muscles: how you speak, eat your food, smile, breathe, and sleep – even the shape of your jawline and the fullness of your lips.
At Luna Wellness Centre, we offer myofunctional therapy as a non-invasive, painless way to improve your oral anatomy. The outcome takes time; it takes commitment to do the exercises at home between your sessions with us. However, you will be surprised by the dramatic results you can see by following your customized therapy plan over a period of a few months. Contact us to schedule an appointment today.