Myofunctional Therapy
The Goals of Myofunctional Therapy include:
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To eliminate or minimize oral habits
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Establish nasal breathing
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Achieve lip competence
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Attain palatal tongue rest position: Anterior AND Posterior
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Activate and elevate the back of the tongue
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Tone the pharyngeal muscles
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Work on functional postural training of the head and neck
Myofunctional therapy helps address:
Tongue tie
Tongue thrust
Open Mouth Posture
Sleep Apnea
What is Myofunctional Therapy??
Myofunctional therapy is the 're-education' or re-patterning of the oral and facial muscles. Therapy includes facial and tongue exercises and behavior modification techniques to promote proper/optimal tongue position, improved breathing, chewing, and swallowing. Whole body health will be positively impacted by myofunctional therapy.
Incorrect Oral Muscle Patterns can cause:
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Tongue-tie/Lip Tie
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Tongue Thrust
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Snoring
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History of orthodontics
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Inability to masticate food properly, open mouth chewing
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Speech Problems
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Periodontal Disease
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Forward Head and Neck Posture
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High Narrow Palate
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Grinding and Clenching, Temporal Mandibular Disorders (jaw pain)
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ADHD
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Frequent congestion
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Asthma
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Anxiety
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Incorrect swallowing may be linked to GERD
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Oral tissue irritation
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Lack of Lip seal (mouth breathing)
may lead to occlusal dysfunction
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Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
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Low, forward tongue rest may be linked to
orthodontic relapse, psychological, cosmetic,
and structural issues
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Noxious Oral Habits (thumb/finger sucking,
nail biting, prolonged pacifier)