What is Myofunctional Therapy?
Myofunctional Therapy is a specialized program of exercises designed to improve the function and coordination of the muscles of the face, tongue, lips, and airway. These exercises help address Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (OMDs), which can affect breathing, swallowing, speech, facial development, and oral health.
The goal: is to establish healthy oral and facial habits that support proper breathing, jaw development, and long-term wellness by focusing on proper tongue and airway posture.
Myofunctional Therapy focuses on:
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Correct tongue posture
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Proper lip seal and mouth posture
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Nasal breathing
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Healthy swallowing patterns
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Improved facial muscle function
Benefits of Myofunctional Therapy
By improving the function of the oral and facial muscles, myofunctional therapy can help support overall health and development.
Potential benefits include:
Breathing & Sleep
- Improved nasal breathing
- Reduced congestion
- Better sleep quality
- Support for sleep apnea management
- Improved airway function
- Reduced asthma and allergy-related symptoms
Oral Health & Orthodontics
- Supports long-term orthodontic success
- Encourages proper facial growth and development
- Helps reduce crowded teeth
- Addresses open bite and lip incompetence
- Improves tongue and oral posture
Jaw & Facial Function
- Reduced jaw pain and TMD symptoms
- Less clenching and grinding
- Improved swallowing patterns
- Reduced gag reflex
- Better facial symmetry and development
- Improved head and neck posture
- May help reduce the appearance of a double chin related to poor tongue posture
Speech & Daily Function
- Improved speech clarity
- More efficient chewing and swallowing
- Reduced messy or noisy eating habits
Habit Elimination
- Thumb sucking cessation
- Nail biting cessation
- Other oral habit elimination programs
Whole-Body Wellness
Many patients report improvements in overall well-being as healthy breathing and oral function are restored. Therapy may help support concerns associated with:
- Anxiety
- Attention and focus challenges
- Poor posture
- Enlarged or inflamed tonsils and adenoids
- Eczema
Why Choose Myofunctional Therapy?
Myofunctional therapy addresses the root causes of dysfunctional oral habits rather than simply treating symptoms. By creating proper muscle function and breathing patterns, patients can experience lasting improvements in oral health, facial development, sleep quality, and overall wellness.
Myofunctional Therapy Can Help:
✓ Improve breathing habits
✓ Support healthy facial growth
✓ Enhance orthodontic outcomes
✓ Promote better sleep
✓ Improve posture and muscle function
✓ Create lifelong healthy habits
Meet Your Myofunctional Therapist
Shannon Gilbert RDH, Myofunctional Therapist
As a dedicated Myofunctional Therapist, I am passionate about helping children, teens, and adults achieve optimal oral function, healthy breathing patterns, and long-term wellness.
Through personalized therapy programs, I work closely with each patient to improve tongue posture, nasal breathing, swallowing patterns, and facial muscle function. My goal is to help patients develop healthy habits that support proper growth, better sleep, improved orthodontic outcomes, and overall quality of life.
Whether you are seeking support for orthodontic treatment, airway concerns, oral habits, or facial development, I am committed to providing compassionate, evidence-based care tailored to your unique needs.
Ready to learn if Myofunctional Therapy is right for you?
