At Lake Forest Smiles, we believe in honest, compassionate, and comprehensive dentistry because your oral health is deeply connected to your total well-being. We’re proud to offer Myofunctional Therapy, a specialized service that helps correct dysfunctional muscle patterns in the mouth and face to improve breathing, speech, and oral health.
Our team is radically honest about your care. We don’t just treat symptoms, we get to the root of what’s causing them! With two dedicated oral myofunctional therapists on our team, we offer specialized, judgment-free support to help you or your child restore balance, function, and comfort.
By strengthening the muscles that control the tongue, lips, and jaw, we can help you breathe easier, sleep better, and smile with confidence. Let Lake Forest Smiles guide you toward a healthier, more harmonious way of living through the benefits of myofunctional therapy!
What Is Myofunctional Therapy?
Also known as orofacial myology, myofunctional therapy is like physical therapy for your mouth. It uses a series of targeted exercises to train the muscles of the tongue, lips, and face to rest and function properly.
When these muscles are out of sync, they can cause issues like mouth breathing, speech problems, snoring, and even jaw discomfort. Myofunctional therapy gently retrains them to work in harmony—restoring the natural balance of your airway, bite, and facial structure.
You might be surprised how powerful small muscle adjustments can be! Patients often notice improvements in breathing, posture, and energy within weeks.
These exercises encourage better function for:
- Swallowing
- Talking
- Breathing
It’s a simple, noninvasive, and highly effective way to improve your overall health from the inside out.
Our Honest and Comprehensive Approach
At Lake Forest Smiles, we’re known for being radically honest, in the best way! We tell you exactly what’s going on and why, so you can make informed choices about your care. We don’t push unnecessary treatments or sugarcoat what’s happening; instead, we walk you through real solutions that align with your goals and lifestyle.
We take a comprehensive approach to every treatment, looking beyond the teeth to evaluate how your airway, muscles, and facial structures work together. Myofunctional therapy fits beautifully into this philosophy. It helps us uncover the “why” behind chronic issues like snoring, orthodontic relapse, or mouth breathing—and treat them at their source, not just the surface.
Understanding Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (OMDs)
An Orofacial Myofunctional Disorder (OMD) occurs when the muscles of the mouth and face—especially the tongue and lips—don’t function as they should. This can lead to a range of issues that impact daily life, from chewing and swallowing difficulties to speech challenges and sleep disruptions.
OMDs can develop from:
- A tongue-tie or lip-tie (restricted tissues that limit movement)
- Chronic mouth breathing caused by allergies, nasal obstruction, or habit
- Thumb or pacifier use in early childhood
- Poor oral posture or improper tongue resting position
Orthodontic relapse after braces or aligners
Without treatment, OMDs can affect jaw growth, cause misalignment, and contribute to sleep-disordered breathing. That’s why early diagnosis and therapy make such a big difference!
Our team provides empathetic, judgment-free care for both children and adults. We understand that habits form for a reason, and we’re here to help, not criticize. Together, we’ll retrain your muscles, improve function, and support lifelong wellness.
How Myofunctional Therapy Helps
Myofunctional therapy is incredibly versatile and has been shown to help with a wide range of issues, including:
Chewing Problems:
Improves chewing efficiency and coordination, helping you eat comfortably.
Chronic Mouth Breathing:
Encourages nasal breathing for better oxygen flow, improved sleep, and stronger immunity.
Swallowing Difficulties:
Retrains tongue and throat muscles to promote proper swallowing.
Speech Impediments:
Supports clearer, more confident speech, especially when paired with speech therapy.
Teeth Clenching and Grinding:
Reduces muscle tension and protects your teeth from damage.
Sleep-Related Disorders:
Enhances airway function to reduce snoring and symptoms of sleep apnea.
Infant Breastfeeding Issues:
Assists infants struggling with breastfeeding due to tongue-tie or other concerns.
Orthodontic Issues:
Reinforces proper muscle habits to prevent relapse after orthodontic treatment.
Children respond beautifully to myofunctional therapy, but adults experience remarkable benefits too! Even after years of poor oral habits, retraining these muscles can dramatically improve quality of life.
Our patients often report better sleep, improved focus, fewer headaches, and easier breathing through consistent therapy and compassionate guidance.
Our Team of Myofunctional Therapists
Lake Forest Smiles is proud to have two highly trained oral myofunctional therapists on staff. Their combined experience allows us to take an individualized approach for every patient, customizing therapy to match your unique anatomy, goals, and needs.
They work closely with our dental team to ensure that your therapy complements any other treatments such as orthodontics, airway therapy, or cosmetic care. This collaborative model ensures that your entire care plan supports not only your smile but also your breathing, sleeping, and overall health.
Our therapists are warm, caring, and never judgmental. Whether you’re a parent concerned about your child’s development or an adult seeking better breathing and sleep, they’ll make sure you feel heard and supported every step of the way!
Our own, Aida, shared her expertise on the basics of myofunctional therapy and why collaboration is key to supporting airway health on the Mommy Dentists in Business podcast.
Unlocking the Airway: Myofunctional Therapy in Everyday Dentistry
What to Expect During Myofunctional Therapy
We begin every journey with a comprehensive evaluation, assessing how your tongue, lips, and facial muscles move and rest. We’ll also look closely at your breathing patterns, posture, and oral habits.
From there, we’ll design a personalized treatment plan that may include:
- Targeted oral exercises to strengthen and coordinate muscles
- Breathing retraining to promote nasal airflow
- Postural awareness techniques for better head and neck alignment
- At-home routines to reinforce progress between sessions
Therapy is gentle, effective, and even fun for kids! We’ll cheer you on through every milestone and celebrate your progress together.
Our Focus on Airway Health
Your airway is the foundation of your health. At Lake Forest Smiles, every service we offer considers how it affects your ability to breathe well.
Myofunctional therapy plays a key role in airway-focused dentistry. By helping patients keep their tongues in the right position and breathe through their noses, we improve airflow, reduce inflammation, and enhance oxygen levels throughout the body.
Our own Aida has shared her expertise on the Mommy Dentists in Business podcast, discussing how collaboration between dental professionals and myofunctional therapists can help unlock the airway and support whole-body health.
We take pride in offering this cutting-edge care right here in Lake Forest.
Experience the Transformative Power of Myofunctional Therapy
If you suspect an OMD or simply want to explore the benefits of myofunctional therapy, our experienced and honest team is ready to help. From children with developing oral habits to adults seeking better sleep and function, we provide comprehensive care designed to support lasting wellness.
Don’t wait to start feeling better, your healthiest smile begins with a healthy airway! Call Lake Forest Smiles today to schedule your consultation. We’ll help you discover how myofunctional therapy can improve your breathing, your comfort, and your confidence.
