Myofunctional Therapy for YOU!
10 Signs You May Benefit From Myofunctional Therapy
You may not realize that everyday habits involving your tongue, lips, breathing, and swallowing can affect your oral function.
Here are 10 signs that may be worth having evaluated:
You sleep with your mouth open
Especially if it happens regularly, even when you're not congested.You wake up with a dry mouth
This can be a clue that you're breathing through your mouth during sleep.You notice your tongue resting against your teeth
Your tongue's resting posture plays an important role in oral function.You have spacing between your front teeth
In some cases, persistent tongue pressure or a tongue-thrust pattern can contribute to dental spacing.Your tongue has scalloped edges
Those little tooth-shaped indentations can sometimes be associated with tongue posture or pressure against the teeth.Your lips don't naturally stay together at rest
Persistent lip separation can be related to breathing patterns, tongue posture, or other orofacial factors.Your chin or lips tense when you swallow
If swallowing requires noticeable facial muscle effort, your swallowing pattern may be worth evaluating.You push your tongue against or between your teeth when you swallow
This can be a sign of an atypical swallowing pattern.You have a persistent lisp or difficulty with certain speech sounds
Tongue placement and oral muscle coordination can play a role in some speech patterns.Your teeth keep shifting after orthodontic treatment
In some cases, persistent oral habits or tongue/lip posture can contribute to orthodontic relapse.
The important nuance: none of these signs by themselves means someone “needs” myofunctional therapy. They can be clues that warrant an evaluation, which may result in a recommendation for Myofunctional Therapy accompanied by referral to an SLP, dentist, orthodontist, ENT, sleep physician, or other relevant clinician, depending on the concern. In particular, mouth breathing and snoring shouldn't automatically be treated as a tongue-strengthening problem because nasal obstruction and sleep-disordered breathing may need medical evaluation.
A Refined Approach to Wellness
I became an Orofacial Myofunctional Therapist because I’m passionate about helping my patients understand how oral and facial function can impact their health, comfort, and quality of life.
I would love the opportunity to meet you and complete a Myofunctional Assessment to understand your individual needs. I’ll create a personalized plan to improve your function, work toward goals, and address the underlying patterns that may be affecting you.
When appropriate, I’ll also collaborate with, or refer you to, other healthcare professionals so you can receive the comprehensive care you need to find success in your journey to better health and function.
Serving the Tulsa, OK area. Email me about a free assessment today!