At Lake Forest Smiles, we recognize the profound impact that oral health can have on physical wellness, emotional well-being, and overall quality of life. That’s why we’re excited to offer specialized Myofunctional Therapy services, designed to correct the dysfunctional habits and patterns that can lead to a range of dental and health issues.
By focusing on strengthening oral and facial muscles, we aim to promote optimal oral health, enhance speech clarity, and improve breathing. Let Lake Forest Smiles guide you towards 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. This noninvasive treatment involves a series of exercises designed to train the tongue, lips, mouth, and facial muscles to rest properly.
This encourages better function for activities such as:
- Swallowing
- Talking
- Breathing
It’s a simple yet powerful way to address orofacial myofunctional disorders (OMDs) and promote optimal oral health.
Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders
An Orofacial Myofunctional Disorder (OMD) occurs when the oral muscles, including the tongue and lips, don’t function to their full potential. This can impact various aspects of life, from eating and chewing to sleeping and breathing. OMDs may develop from birth, like a tongue-tie, or over time due to poor oral posture.
Without early diagnosis and treatment, OMDs can lead to the development of harmful habits like open mouth posture, mouth breathing, tongue thrust, and reverse swallowing. Our team is here to prevent and treat these issues with empathy and expertise. When caught early, OMDs are easily treated; however, adults can also benefit from myofunctional therapy.
How Myofunctional Therapy Helps
Myofunctional therapy has shown success in treating:
Chewing Problems:
Improves chewing function and prevents habits like chewing with an open mouth.
Chronic Mouth Breathing:
Encourages proper nasal breathing, reducing the reliance on mouth breathing.
Swallowing Difficulties:
Addresses issues related to tongue position and swallowing patterns.
Speech Impediments:
Aids in the treatment of speech disorders, promoting clearer communication.
Teeth Clenching and Grinding:
Alleviates bruxism, reducing the impact on oral structures.
Sleep-Related Disorders:
Manages sleep-disordered breathing, including snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.
Infant Breastfeeding Issues:
Assists infants struggling with breastfeeding due to tongue-tie or other concerns.
Orthodontic Issues:
Identifying and treating poor oral habits can help your child avoid the need for orthodontic procedures in the future, and reduce the risk of orthodontic relapse if treatments are needed.
While myofunctional therapy provides astounding results for children, it’s essential to highlight its benefits for adults as well. Even after years of poor tongue posture and function, adults can experience positive transformations. Myofunctional therapy addresses a wide range of oral health issues by retraining muscles and restoring optimal movement.
Contact our team at Lake Forest Smiles to learn more!
Experience a Wealth of Health Benefits with Myofunctional Therapy
If you suspect an OMD or want to explore the transformative benefits of myofunctional therapy, our experienced team is here to guide you. Contact us to schedule a consultation to learn more about OMDs and how Myofunctional therapy can help you and your loved ones.