Myofunctional therapy is a specialized form of therapy that focuses on correcting improper habits of the lips, tongue, and jaws and create and maintain a healthy orofacial environment.
It is used to address conditions such as ..
• Abnormal / Parafunctional habits such as thumb or finger sucking, cheek biting , lip biting that can affect the development of the teeth and jaws.
• Incorrect tongue position at rest: This occurs when the tongue rests in the floor of the mouth instead of in the natural position against the palate.
• Mouth breathing: When a person breathes primarily through the mouth instead of the nose, which can lead to issues such as dry mouth, bad breath, frequent tooth decays , Swollen tonsils & adenoids & altered facial development in children.
• Improper Chewing & Swallowing Patterns : This is a pattern of swallowing in which the tongue pushes against or between the teeth, which can affect dental alignment and speech.
• TMJ disorders: Jaw-joint issues that can cause pain, clicking, or limited movement.
• Prolonged pacifier use .. Pushes the tongue back and down , blocks the tubes & can cause middle ear infections
• Clenching or grinding of the teeth .. Causes teeth fractures & headaches
• Myofunctional therapy typically begins with a comprehensive evaluation to assess your breathing, swallowing, and oral habits.
• Based on this assessment, a personalized treatment plan is made to address your specific needs.
• Treatment may involve a combination of exercises & techniques designed to retrain the muscles of the face and mouth.
Goals Of Myofunctional Therapy :
- Lips at rest
- Breathing through the nose
- Tongue on the palate
- Improve swallowing
- Stabilize the results of Orthodontic work by addressing underlying muscle issues
- Improve oral health
If you have mouth breathing , swallowing , habit issues , Myofunctional therapy can be the solution you’ve been looking for.
Call The TMJ & Sleep Doc at 203 469 5644 for consultation