Myofunctional therapy is a highly effective and noninvasive treatment to improve orofacial development, breathing, and tongue strength. Myofunctional Therapy can benefit all ages and is an important discipline in treating disorders of the upper airway and oral cavity. At Breathe Airway in Treasure Valley, the skilled team of myofunctional therapists offer highly effective therapies to combat upper airway issues. Call the office to schedule an appointment or book one online today.

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Myofunctional Therapy Q&A

What is myofunctional therapy?

Oral Myofunctional Therapy is the neuromuscular re-education or re-training of the oral and facial muscles.  The therapy is focused on the strength, coordination, and function of the tongue. Therapy typically includes facial and tongue exercises with proper posture to restore normal function.

What is myofunctional therapy used for?

Your Breathe Airway specialist could recommend myofunctional therapy if you struggle with one or more of the following conditions:

  • Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD)
  • Sleep apnea
  • Tongue-ties
  • Tongue Thrust
  • Clenching or grinding 
  • Difficulty chewing, eating, or swallowing
  • Loud snoring
  • Sleep disordered breathing 
  • ADD or ADHD like symptoms
  • Jaw misalignment
  • Underdeveloped midface
  • Unstable orthodontic treatments
  • Mouth breathing
  • Asthma
  • Allergies
  • Poor posture
  • Neck tension 
  • Thumb sucking
  • Headaches 
  • Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or heartburn
  • Orofacial myofunctional disorders (OMDs)

OMDs negatively impact your face or mouth tissues and the way they function. See the experts at Breathe Airway at the first sign of breathing disorder, jaw pain, or facial discomfort. 

What does myofunctional therapy look like?

Initial Appointment: During the initial appointment, we will gather all the necessary information to create a specialized treatment plan to address symptoms and concerns. The initial appointment may include intra- and extra- oral photos along with an extensive medical history intake.

Follow- Up Therapy Appointments: Every 2 weeks we will follow up for a 30-45 minute visit. Follow- up appointments usually will include one passive and at least three active exercises aimed at improving function of areas you are deficient in.  We will include/provide most of the needed instruments to perform the therapy exercises. We will do these treatments every two weeks for several months. Often these appointments are done virtually from the convenience of your own home.

Is myofunctional therapy right for me?

To find out if you’d benefit from myofunctional therapy, contact your Breathe Airway specialist to discuss your symptoms, medical history, and medical concerns. Initial consultations are always free.

Call the office or schedule an appointment online today to learn more about myofunctional therapy at Breathe Airway.