Breathe, Smile, Thrive: Transform Your Child’s Health with Oral Myofunctional Therapy!
We all know the importance of standing tall for good posture, but did you know your child’s mouth posture plays a huge role in their overall health and development? Proper oral rest posture is the foundation for healthy facial growth, well-aligned teeth and jaws, and a clear airway.
The Magic Formula for Oral Rest Posture
- Lips together
- Tongue resting on the roof of the mouth
- Breathing through the nose
When these elements are out of sync, it can lead to developmental challenges known as Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (OMDs). These issues arise from poor muscle habits in the mouth, tongue, and face—affecting everything from breathing to chewing, swallowing, and even how the teeth and jaws grow.
Why Proper Oral Posture Matters?
Without the right posture, your child could experience:
- Mouth breathing
- Restricted lip or tongue movement (like tongue ties)
- Tongue thrusting
- Drooling or poor saliva control
- Swallowing difficulties
- Snoring or sleep apnea
- Messy eating habits
- Speech challenges
- Frequent cavities and poor oral hygiene
- High, narrow palates and crooked bites
- Underdeveloped jaws or long, narrow facial growth
- Poor body posture
Left unchecked, these early signs of OMDs can lead to bigger concerns, like TMJ disorders, sleep apnea, chronic neck pain, and even behavioral or learning challenges due to disrupted sleep.
Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders
How do you treat Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders?
Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy is the treatment solution for OMDs. Think of it as physical therapy for your child’s facial muscles. Through fun, simple exercises, we teach your child how to:
- Strengthen facial muscles
- Encourage nasal breathing
- Correct tongue posture
- Support proper jaw growth
- Improve chewing, swallowing, and overall oral function
By retraining these muscles to work properly, we can improve not only function but also appearance – helping your child breathe easier, smile brighter, and grow into their full potential.
Who can benefit from myofunctional therapy?
Children and adults with tongue thrust, mouth breathing, sleep-disordered breathing, TMJ issues, orthodontic relapse, or speech difficulties.
At what age should a child start myofunctional therapy?
It depends on the issue, children as young as 3-4 years old can benefit from oral myofunctional therapy, especially if they have oral habits like thumb-sucking or mouth breathing.
The earlier we address poor oral rest posture and mouth breathing, the better! Early intervention can guide healthy growth, reduce the risk of future orthodontic needs, and set your child up for a lifetime of confident smiles and good health.
How long does myofunctional therapy take?
Treatment duration varies but typically lasts 6–12 months, depending on the severity of the issue and patient compliance.
The exercises are simple but require consistency. Daily practice and follow-ups with a therapist are key to success.
Can myofunctional therapy help with sleep apnea?
Yes, it can improve airway function and reduce symptoms by promoting proper tongue posture and nasal breathing. However, it’s often part of a multidisciplinary approach.
A Holistic Approach for Every Age
Dr. Santos specializes in therapies that help babies, kids, and teens achieve optimal oral posture. Whether it’s eliminating thumb-sucking habits, improving tongue strength, or encouraging proper jaw development, our tailored approach is designed to meet your child’s unique needs.
Let’s Help Your Child Shine Inside and Out!
If you’ve noticed signs like mouth breathing, tongue thrusting, or snoring, don’t wait. Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy can make a world of difference! Call us today to give your child the tools to breathe better, smile bigger, and thrive like never before!
Call us at (941) 909-2979
