Orofacial myology therapy

Re-training the orofacial muscle complex can have an amazing impact on the whole body. When we look for myofunctional dysfunction we are observing structures that are working together to achieve one thing: keeping you alive through breathing. The body has ways of compensating to achieve this which can affect posture, speech, swallowing, digestion and chewing abilities.

Known as orofacial myofunctional therapy/orfacial myology is a set of muscle re-training exercises. Just like a body builder trains and strengthens muscle growth through specific sets of exercises, the muscles of the face, throat and tongue can be improved to restore optimal functioning.

In relation to tongue tie corrections, it is advised to re-train the tongue muscles in preparation prior to undertaking frenectomies to correct a restricted lingual frenulum. The exercise program prepares the clients for surgery and post operatively, it helps to restore proper function of the tongue.

Correcting mouth breathing will help to alleviate a variety of concerns such as headaches, reducing gingivitis and periodontal disease, sore throat and blocked nose, bad breath, increased risk of dental decay, sleep disordered breathing, snoring and digestive disturbances related to poor swallowing habits.

In children, mouth breathing, and more specifically sleep disturbances, have been linked to increase in ADD and ADHD risks, poor academic performance, bad posture and altered facial growth and development.

For adults, breathing through the mouth can lead to serious chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, heart problems, snoring and sleep apnea among other medical issues.

Tongue thrust occurs when the muscles for swallowing have learnt to work together incorrectly. This creates a problem and causes teeth crowding because of the pressure the tongue applies onto the teeth, it is necessary to correct this habit in order to re-align teeth through orthodontics (braces or aligners) successfully, working with airway conscious dentists and orthodontists, OMT can help correct the underlaying reason for teeth crowding.

The myology program for children will help to address issues early and thus establish nasal breathing and correct tongue and lip posture, improving problems with facial development and reducing detrimental effects on swallowing, speech and sleeping.

OMT will retrain and strengthen muscles to help retain myofunctional appliances in the pre orthodontic phase, that creates the correct muscle habits and movement to facilitate the growth of the bones of the jaw to allow for expansion to house adult teeth.