How to Correct Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders

Understanding and Managing Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders

How to correct Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders by re-educating facial and oral muscles with simple exercises. Patients often want to know, “does swallowing and tongue placement during rest really matter”? The answer is absolutely!

Right from birth, the tongue plays a major role in feeding, speech development and facial and cranial growth. Correct tongue placement naturally expands the palate of an infant. Did you know the average person swallows 700 to 1000 times a day? The act of proper swallowing requires the muscles and nerves in your tongue, throat and cheeks to work together in harmony.

Correct tongue posture will promote:

• Lips that are relaxed and sealed.
• The tip of the tongue that rests on the ridge behind the front teeth.
• Teeth that are slightly apart or lightly touching
• Breathing through the nose.

Correct swallowing will promote:

• Lips that are relaxed and sealed.
• Relaxed facial muscles.
• Better oral health.
• Better digestion.

OMD is more common in children but it is also seen in adults

Symptoms of OMD may include:

• Mouth breathing
• Sleep disorders
• Short attention span
• Daytime sleepiness
• Thumb sucking
• Difficulty breathing while eating
• Teeth grinding
• Tongue-tied when trying to speak
• High gag reflex
• Difficulty with food textures
• Crooked teeth

Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT) can help eliminate swallowing abnormalities and improper resting posture of the tongue.

OMT includes behavior modification, mouth, face and tongue exercises and treatment to facilitate proper feeding, swallowing and tongue rest posture. OMD treatments not only boost functional eating, drinking, proper tongue rest posture and swallowing, but can also re-train facial muscles. Recent studies have also shown that OMT can provide support for patients with sleep disorders, TMJ and speech impediments.

The therapy is painless, and the exercises are straightforward and simple. When certain muscles of the face are activated and functioning properly, other muscles will follow suit until proper coordination of the tongue and facial muscles is attained.

Southwest Myofascial Therapy in Albuquerque, NM will recommend treatment based on specific findings.

If you would like to schedule an OMD evaluation for yourself or your child, or if you would like to learn more about treatments, contact Sandraluz at 505-218-6565.

She looks forward to restoring your oral health and comfort, and she is always there to answer your questions.