Frequently Asked Questions

Oral myofunctional therapy is a customized exercise program for the tongue and surrounding structures to facilitate proper oral rest posture, increase nasal breathing, encourage palate development, and promote restful sleep.

Therapy is implemented to correct orofacial myofunctional disorders (OMDs). These disorders can result in snoring and sleep apnea, chronic fatigue, sinus congestion, grinding and TMJ pain, malaligned teeth, orthodontic relapse, tongue thrusting, tooth decay, swallowing and chewing difficulties, poor facial tone, neck and shoulder tension, hunched posture, headaches and more.

Mouth breathing dries out the oral environment, encouraging tooth decay and dehydrated/inflamed tissue. Breaths taken in through the mouth are not filtered through our nasal passages, which makes us more susceptible to allergens, germs and particles in the air. Chronic mouth breathers as children may experience underdevelopment of the mouth, facial structures and airway, leading to further dysfunction.

Your nose filters air from debris and allergens, humidifies the air and creates nitric oxide-to improve circulation through the body. Breathing through your nose is slower, helping to regulate your nervous system. Plus, it helps facilitate proper tongue position-on the roof of your mouth.

Your tongue should naturally rest on your palate to encourage nose breathing, stimulate the vagus nerve, and encourage proper development and jaw growth.

Yes, our therapy programs are designed for all ages, including children. We specialize in addressing oral dysfunctions early to support long-term health and development.

Myofunctional therapy can be life-changing for people of all ages. For teens and adults: improve speech, breathing and oral health. Whether its reducing snoring, addressing TMJ issues or in conjunction with orthodontic treatment, Myofunctional therapy can make a significant difference. NO matter your age, myofunctional therapy enhances your well-being through a holistic approach.

Sleep disordered breathing refers to a range of conditions affecting resistance to proper airflow while we sleep. One example is snoring. Snoring is the sound created by air passing through the collapsed, relaxed tissues in your airway. This noise signifies that the airway is restricted. When this restriction blocks the airway entirely, sleep apnea can occur, where there are moments you stop breathing. Obstructive sleep apnea is diagnosed through a sleep study that identifies when these pauses happen frequently throughout the night. Myofunctional therapy can be a root cause solution to sleep disordered breathing.

Our personalized myofunctional therapy programs focus on improving oral posture and muscle function, which can enhance breathing and support better sleep quality for both children and adults.

Yes, Myofunctional therapy works great in conjunction with your mouth piece for sleep apnea. It can also help you tolerate your CPAP better.

A myofunctional therapist can assess you for tongue and lip ties, as well as their level of severity. Tongue restrictions are not always obvious. A clear tongue tie may be noted in an infant when it interferes with proper feeding, but sometimes the attachment is not addressed because it lies further back (a "posterior tie" or "mid-tongue restriction"), causing improper function of the tongue. Unless very severe, a tissue tie's effect on function and development cannot be assessed with a quick look. A functional assessment is necessary to determine if your range of motion is limited due to tissue restriction. A provider who is untrained in assessing tethered oral tissues cannot determine the level at which your potential ties are affecting you.

Myofunctional therapy can be preventative or done in conjunction with orthodontic treatment. In proper function and health, the jaw may develop enough that ortho intervention is not necessary. When the orofacial muscles are working as they should, the tongue serves as a natural palate expander and the cheeks and lips serve as retainers. When the jaw grows to the appropriate size, the teeth should erupt in alignment and the muscles should serve to keep them in place. When dysfunction is not addressed, orthodontic treatment may be recommended, not as effective or only temporary. Soft tissue (muscles + fascia) can work against hard tissue (teeth + bone)! This is why retainers must be worn for life, and without them the teeth can shift or revert, called "orthodontic relapse".

The list of characteristics associated with ADHD and other attention or behavioral disorders directly corresponds to that of poor sleep quality. We advocate that sleep and myofunctional health be assessed when any of these issues are diagnosed or being discussed as possibilities.

Airway, sleep and myofunctional health are just starting to be taught in dental, hygiene and speech curriculums. It takes a long time for science to be substantiated, longer for it to be incorporated into standard education, and even longer to be implemented in real life practice. It's very likely your providers are not aware, misinformed or untrained to use the screening tools that can help detect, prevent and treat orofacial myofunctional disorders.

Each session includes a comprehensive evaluation followed by tailored exercises designed to improve oral function, breathing, and swallowing. We guide you through every step to ensure lasting results.

You can easily book an evaluation online through the contact form on the website or contact us directly. We’re here to help you get started on your journey to better wellness.

Absolutely. We collaborate with dentists, orthodontists, and other healthcare professionals to ensure a comprehensive approach to your care.

While myofunctional therapy is not typically covered by insurance, many patients choose to use HSA or FSA funds for their therapy. We are happy to provide superbills if you would like to submit for possible reimbursement.