What does myofunctional therapy do?
Myofunctional therapy uses a combination of physical therapy exercises to improve the bite, breathing, and facial posture of those with orofacial myofunctional disorders (OMDs). The training targets the face, neck, and mouth’s soft tissues to reach optimal tongue position and oral rest posture. Swallowing therapy is a treatment for people who have difficulty swallowing, a condition called dysphagia. Dysphagia can make it hard to eat, so you may not get enough nutrients, calories, or fluids. It can also increase your risk of choking or aspirating food, liquids, or saliva.Studies show myofunctional therapy has a success rate of 80-90% for improving functions like swallowing, breathing, and proper oral posture.Swallowing therapy involves completing a variety of exercises to help strengthen the muscles of your tongue and throat so you can swallow more easily and safely. Your clinician will typically see you for 4-6 sessions, 1 per week, to help you learn the exercises.It’s Never Too Late To Do Myofunctional Therapy However, that change can be good for you, or it can be bad for you. Your craniofacial structure is going to be changing for the better if you’re breathing through your nose, your tongue is on the roof of your mouth, and your lips are together during the day and night.
How do I know if I need myofunctional therapy?
You may benefit from myofunctional therapy if you have trouble breathing through your nose, suffer from obstructive sleep apnea or snoring, or experience speech difficulties, jaw pain, or TMJ/TMD. Myofunctional therapy is typically provided by dentists, orthodontists, or speech therapists who have received specialized training in this area. Look for a provider who is experienced in treating sleep apnea and airway issues, like Dr.Dentists can identify issues like sleep apnea, airway obstruction, or mouth breathing habits during regular checkups. They can offer solutions like oral appliances for sleep apnea, therapies to improve nasal breathing, or orthodontic treatments to correct jaw alignment.