Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy

Myofunctional therapy is a routine or exercise-based therapeutic method that aims to strengthen the muscles in a patient’s face, mouth, and tongue. By strengthening muscles and enhancing the shape of the face and mouth, myofunctional therapy can help patients facilitate better breathing, swallowing, chewing, and speaking.

Applying Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy

Orofacial myofunctional therapy can correct conditions of the facial muscles and tongue brought on by poor muscle function. This therapy can also assist people who primarily breathe through their mouths, suck their thumbs, suffer from tongue-tie, or struggle with breathing disorders, sleep problems, headaches, TMD, speech difficulties, and more.

For children, myofunctional therapy can work to correct a number of health disorders, many of which lead to disordered sleeping and the potential to develop additional health issues. Because problems in a child’s airway function can contribute to ADHD and other conditions, many parents seek myofunctional therapy options to help treat developing health concerns.

In addition to helping children overcome various medical conditions, orofacial myofunctional therapy can help adults live healthier lives by improving their sleep quality, relieving headaches, restoring energy, and treating TMJ pain.

For individuals who snore or experience sleep apnea, myofunctional therapy can be immensely beneficial. Because this therapy seeks to correct oral, facial, and airway issues through the redevelopment of the muscular structures, people who receive treatment experience relief naturally.

Signs of Oral Myofunctional Disorders
Orofacial myofunctional disorders can be quite diverse, affecting the mouth, tongue, airway, teeth, head, and neck. Myofunctional disorders can produce an array of different symptoms, even among individuals who have the same disorders.

As such, it’s important to be mindful of the symptoms you experience throughout the day. If you find yourself dealing with one or several of the following issues, you may be suffering with a myofunctional disorder that can be lessened or fully remedied with orofacial myofunctional therapy:

  • Neck pain, neck strain
  • Acid reflux
  • Headaches
  • Teeth grinding or jaw clenching
  • Temporomandibular joint pain
  • Tooth crowding
  • Trouble sleeping, sleep disturbances
  • Mouth-breathing, open-mouth posture
  • Difficulty concentrating throughout the day
  • Fatigue despite going to bed at a reasonable time
  • Poor posture, forward head posture
Where Can I Receive Myofunctional Therapy?
Myofunctional therapy is a specialized set of treatment techniques that are only provided by experienced professionals in certain fields. These providers are most often speech pathologists, orthodontists, dentists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, and dental hygienists with additional training in the field of orofacial myology.

When seeking evaluations for myofunctional disorders or myofunctional treatment options, it’s crucial to work with an experienced specialist. This way, patients can receive the best possible application of treatment, and as a result, trust that their unique treatment plan has the highest potential for success.

How Does Myofunctional Therapy Help?

Myofunctional therapy seeks to train and strengthen the orofacial muscles, allowing patients to achieve efficient nasal breathing, proper resting position of the jaw, healthier posture, improved speech, and functional chewing/swallowing oral functions.

In addition, myofunctional therapy helps encourage the tongue to remain in the correct position in the mouth, which can help patients reduce their frequency of headaches, decrease acid reflux, and keep the airway open during sleep to promote adequate rest.

By facilitating healthy breathing and better sleep quality, patients can take advantage of a selection of holistic benefits, including higher energy levels, stable blood pressure, sharper focus, and an increased sense of overall wellbeing.

Schedule an Appointment

If you’re experiencing any of the above-mentioned symptoms, we welcome you to call us at 913-491-4466 or schedule an appointment for an orofacial myofunctional evaluation. Our team will carefully examine your mouth, orofacial muscles, head, neck, and airway in order to make the most appropriate diagnosis and recommend individualized therapy options that will enhance your whole-body wellness.
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Amazing care!!! They were able to get me in when I couldn’t get in to see where my Family Dentist referred. That location referred me to Dental Health by Herre. Dr. Herre was extremely thorough and very concerned about my oral health. I would recommend this to anyone!!

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Tracy M.
Leawood, KS

Location

Herre Holistic Dental KC

11201 Nall Avenue
Suite 120
Leawood, KS 66211

Hours

Monday: 9:00am - 5:00pm
Tuesday: 8:00am - 4:00pm
Wednesday: 8:00am - 4:00pm
Thursday: 7:00am - 3:00pm