Frequently Asked Questions
Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT) is a form of therapeutic intervention intended to correct dysfunctional habits related to the muscles of the face, mouth. It focuses on improving the tone, coordination, and function of the orofacial muscles, which are involved in vital activities such as breathing, swallowing, speaking, chewing, and maintaining proper tongue, lip and jaw postures.
Key Goals of OMT:
Establish Proper Oral Postures (at rest): Encouraging the tongue to rest on the roof of the mouth, the lips to remain closed, and the jaw to stay slightly apart when not talking or eating.
Correct Swallowing Patterns: Eliminating habits like a "tongue-thrust" swallow, where the tongue comes between the teeth or pushes against the teeth during swallowing, potentially causing dental issues.
Encourage Nasal Breathing: Promoting nasal over mouth breathing, which is healthier for overall airway function and facial development.
Eliminate Detrimental Oral Habits: Facilitating the succession of thumb-sucking, nail-biting, and non-nutritive chewing habit that can interfere with optimal facial growth and development.
Balance Muscle Function: Ensuring that the lips, jaw, and tongue work harmoniously, which supports clear speech, proper dental alignment, and facial symmetry.
Orofacial myofunctional disorders (OMDs) are habits or conditions that effect how the mouth and facial muscles work. As a child’s face grows and develops, different factors can interfere with this natural process. These may include:
Nasal breathing problems (such as those caused by allergies or a blocked nasal passage)
Undesirable tongue positions (often related to mouth breathing, thumb-sucking, or extended use of pacifiers)
Difficulty keeping the lips closed (either due to habit or physical structure)​​
When any of these issues occur, they can affect the proper growth of the face and the way a child breathes and swallows.
Mouth Breathing – The child frequently breathes through their mouth instead of their nose, even when at rest, which can affect facial development and oral health.
"Tongue- Thrust" swallows– The tongue pushes forward against or between the teeth during swallowing, speech, or even at rest, which can contribute to dental misalignment and speech issues.
Speech Difficulties – The child may have difficulty pronouncing certain sounds (e.g., /s/, /z/, /sh/, /ch/, /t/, /d/, /n/, /l/) due to improper tongue placement.
Open Bite or Dental Issues – Malocclusions, such as an open bite (where the front teeth do not touch when the mouth is closed), can be a sign of prolonged thumb sucking, pacifier use, or tongue thrust swallows.
Oral Habits – Elimination of non-nutritional oral habits, such as nail biting, thumb sucking and prolonged pacifier is key to oral health.
OMT is typically performed by OMT trained professionals such as:
Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs)
Registered Dental Hygienists (RHDs)
OMT is supported by collaboration with these professionals:
Orthodontists
Pediatric Dentists and General Dentists
Oral Surgeons
ENTs (Ear-Nose-Throat Physicians)
Physical and Occupational Therapists
Chiropractors
Bodyworkers (Licensed Massage Therapists, Myofascial Release Therapists, Cranial-sacral practitioners)
