What is orofacial myofunctional therapy (OMT)?

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Orofacial myofunctional therapy (OMT)  is an exercise based therapy that retrains and provides life-long habits for proper function that results in healthy growth and development in a child's orofacial structure.  Improving these habits result in healthier resting posture, chewing,  breathing, and swallowing and preparation of speech therapy.   It involves education and reprogramming, and implements these new function into every day life for a more healthier you! 

Factors that contribute to orofacial myofunctional disorders are:

• Airway (enlarged tonsils or adenoids)
• Restricted lingual frenum (tongue tie)
• Thumb sucking
• Familial muscle patterns

Orofacial myofunctional therapy is just a piece of a bigger puzzle involving dentists, orthodontists, speech language pathologists, ENTs, chiropractors, osteopaths, pediatricians, general physicians. Collaboration is key!

Myofunctional therapy is highly individualized. It involves neuromuscular reprogramming and forming habits for proper muscle balance, proper muscle strength and proper muscle function.

Each client is given specific exercises to be completed every day, and sessions are generally weekly or biweekly and are spaced out over the course of 6-8 months, however therapy may take longer if the client is in active orthodontics, having a tongue tie release, or other related treatment.  

• Mouth breathing 
• Gummy Smile
• Grinding and Clenching
• Crooked Teeth
• Orthodontic Relapse
• Open Mouth Posture
• Low Tongue Posture
• Scalloped Tongue
• Tongue Thrust Swallow
• Dark Circles Under Eyes
• Retruded Lower Jaw
• Open Bite (either with the back teeth or the front teeth)
• Messy/Picky Eater
• Forward Head Posture
• Snoring
• Mild Obstructive Sleep Apnea
• Bed wetting past age 5
• "Long Face"
• Facial Grimace especially when Swallowing
• TMJ Pain
• Thumb Sucking

If you check any of these signs and symptoms, you would benefit from an OMT assessment.