Does Oral Myofunctional Therapy Really Work?
Have you or your child been recommended to receive orofacial myofunctional therapy, but you’re not exactly sure what that is? Perhaps you’ve witnessed symptoms like chronic mouth breathing, loud snoring, or muddled speech — and now you’re thinking that this kind of therapy might help. You’re certainly not the first, either, to find yourself wondering: Does oral myofunctional therapy work?
This emerging area of treatment — which is also called oral myofacial therapy — is designed to retrain the muscles of the mouth, face and jaw to work as they should. And though it may sound arcane, the aim is straightforward: to enhance mundane things — like breathing, swallowing, speaking and moving the eyes — by establishing better muscle habits.
In this post, we are going to explain what exactly oral myofunctional therapy is, how it works for orofacial myofunctional disorders, and what the science says about its effectiveness. If you’re a parent learning about treatment options for your child or an adult interested in how this therapy can address ongoing problems, this guide is for you. Instead, let’s investigate how tiny adjustments in how we use our mouth and face can make huge differences in our health and quality of life.
So what is oral myofunctional therapy anyway?
Oral myofunctional therapy — sometimes referred to as oral myofacial therapy — is a type of treatment that helps your mouth and face muscles move as they should. It shows you how to relax and move your tongue, lips, cheeks and jaw in the perfect way so that doing things like breathing, swallowing and speaking feel easier and are better for you.
These muscles help with many important things like:
Breathing (especially through your nose)
Speaking clearly
Swallowing food and drinks
Keeping your mouth closed when resting
Keeping your teeth in the right place
Although, in some people, these muscles may not work as they should. This can — and does — result in what dentists and doctors refer to as orofacial myofunctional disorders. That’s just a fancy term for troubles with your face and mouth muscles.
For example, some people:
Breathe out of their mouth rather than their nose.
Push their tongue forward when they swallow (tongue thrust)
Snore a lot or have trouble sleeping
Have speech problems like unclear talking
Have crooked teeth or jaw problems
Oral myofunctional therapy can treat and correct these habits via simple exercises. These exercises are kind of like stretches or workouts but for your face and tongue.
How Does Therapy Work?
In this therapy, you’ll learn some little, basic exercises you can do yourself from a trained therapist. These can be items such as:
Holding your tongue in the right place
Breathing through your nose
Swallowing the correct way
Keeping your lips closed when you're not talking or eating
The exercises are generally simple and quick to complete. They are things you will need to exercise every single day. They retrain your muscles so they work better over time.
Does Oral Myofunctional Therapy Work?
Many people want to know: “Does this therapy really help?”
The answer is yes, it can help — but you need to do the exercises regularly and work with a trained professional.
Several studies have shown that this therapy can help with:
Better breathing (especially through the nose)
Less snoring and better sleep
Clearer speech
Better tongue movement
Preventing teeth from moving after braces
Helping children with tongue-tie issues
One study found that it helped reduce snoring and sleep problems in children. Another study showed it helped keep teeth in place after orthodontic treatment.
But remember, it’s not a magic fix. It takes time and practice. Just like you need to exercise your body to get stronger, you need to work on your mouth and face muscles too.
Why Is This Therapy Becoming More Popular?
Doctors, dentists, and speech therapists are now talking more about this therapy. That’s because they’re seeing how much it helps with common problems like:
Mouth breathing
Bad sleep
Speech delays
Tongue and jaw problems
Additionally, more parents are having their children evaluated early on for things like tongue-tie or mouth breathing, he noted. The sooner therapy starts, the better chance there is of preventing larger trouble down the road.
Who Can Benefit from This Therapy?
This therapy is not just for kids. Adults can use it too. You might want to try this therapy if:
You or your child always breathe through the mouth
You snore a lot or sleep with your mouth open
You had braces but your teeth are moving again
You have trouble speaking clearly
You feel your tongue doesn’t move well
A professional will look at your face, tongue, and how you breathe or speak. Then they will tell you if therapy is a good choice.
Is It Safe?
Yes, it is very safe. There are no medicines or machines involved. It’s just gentle exercises. It's a natural way to help improve the way your face and mouth work.
Final Thoughts
So, does oral myofunctional therapy work? Yes — for many people, it really does. It’s a simple and safe way to fix habits that cause problems with breathing, speaking, swallowing, and more. It is most effective if you will do the exercises daily and see someone who’s been trained in this therapy.
If you think you or your child might need help in areas including mouth breathing, snoring and speech, speak with a therapist or dentist who is familiar with oral myofacial therapy. Over time, and with lots of practice, it can lead to better sleep, better speech, and a healthier means of using your mouth and face.
It’s a small thing, but it can change how your mouth muscles function — in a big way.
