Myofunctional therapy focuses on the orofacial muscles, helping your child improve essential functions such as breathing through the nose, swallowing, articulation, and speech.
Why Myofunctional Therapy?
Oral Health & Function:
- Enhanced speech: By targeting the tongue's position and movements, myofunctional therapy can improve articulation and enunciation, particularly beneficial for individuals with speech disorders.
- Improved chewing and swallowing: Myofunctional therapy aids in proper chewing and swallowing, making eating more comfortable and effective.
- Reduced gag reflex sensitivity: Myofunctional therapy can help reduce an overactive gag reflex.
- Improved tongue function: Myofunctional therapy can improve tongue mobility and oral function.
- Orthodontic treatment: Myofunctional therapy can improve the outcome and stability of orthodontic treatment by retraining the tongue and oral muscles to maintain proper tooth alignment.
- Preventing orthodontic relapse: Myofunctional therapy can help prevent teeth from shifting out of place after orthodontic treatment.
- Improved periodontal stability: Myofunctional therapy can improve the stability of teeth in the gums.
Sleep & Overall Health:
- Improved sleep quality:
By promoting nasal breathing and addressing orofacial muscle dysfunction, myofunctional therapy can improve sleep quality and reduce snoring.
- Reduced sleep apnea/hypopnea events:
Myofunctional therapy can help reduce the severity of sleepa pnea and hypopnea events.
- Increased energy levels:
Improved sleep and breathing can lead to increased energy levels and daytime alertness.
- Reduced TMJ pain or discomfort:
Myofunctional therapy can help relieve tension in the jawand neck, potentially alleviating TMJ-related pain.
- Reduced muscle tension in the head/neck:
Myofunctional therapy can help reduce muscle tension in the head and neck.
- Improved overall health and wellness:
By addressing underlying issues with breathing, swallowing, and sleep, myofunctional therapy can contribute to improved overall health and wellness.
Have questions about your child's breathing, tongue posture, or airway development? Call us at (954) 600-2056 to schedule an evaluation. If myofunctional therapy is part of your child's care plan, Dr. Koval can refer you to a trusted provider.