Frequently Asked Questions

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An OMD is a dysfunction of the muscles of the face, mouth, and airway. These patterns can affect breathing, swallowing, chewing, speaking, facial development, oral posture, and sleep.
Common examples include mouth breathing, low tongue posture, tongue thrust, open-mouth rest posture, and oral habits. 

 OMDs are usually caused by a combination of factors, including:

• Airway obstruction (allergies, enlarged tonsils, deviated septum)
• Mouth breathing habits
• Low tongue posture or restricted tongue mobility
• Prolonged use of bottles, pacifiers, or thumb sucking
• Sleep-disordered breathing
• Poor oral rest posture
• Structural issues such as tongue-tie (ankyloglossia)
• Postural imbalance or chronic tension
• Developmental influences in childhood

When the tongue rests low or forward instead of on the palate, the upper airway can become more narrow.
This may contribute to:

• Snoring
• Sleep disturbances
• Daytime fatigue
• Mouth breathing
• Poor nasal airflow

Correcting tongue posture and strengthening oral muscles can help improve airway stability.

Untreated OMDs can influence:

• Facial growth and development
• Dental alignment
• Speech clarity
• Feeding and chewing
• Behavior and focus
• Sleep quality
  Myofunctional therapy can support healthy development and early airway protection.

 You may notice:

• Mouth breathing
• Low or forward tongue posture
• Snoring or noisy breathing
• Messy eating or slow chewing
• Tongue thrust
• Open-mouth rest posture
• Drooling
• Clenching or grinding 
• Narrow palate or crowded teeth
• Interrupted sleep or waking tired

Myofunctional therapy retrains the muscles of the tongue, lips, face, and airway.
It helps restore:

• Nasal breathing
• Proper tongue posture
• Lip seal
• Efficient swallowing
• Improved muscle tone
• Better sleep and breathing patterns
   

It works because muscles can be re-trained when given proper guidance and consistent practice.

• Children struggling with mouth breathing 
• Teens with airway or orthodontic concerns
• Adults with sleep-disordered breathing, snoring, or chronic tension
• Individuals preparing for or recovering from tongue-tie release
• Anyone wanting better breathing, posture, or oral function

Most clients work with their therapist for 4–12 months, depending on age, goals, and complexity.
Progress is gradual, building strength and coordination for long-term change. 

 No — therapy should never be painful.
Exercises are gentle, supportive, and designed to work with your body's natural patterns.

Yes! Pre- and post-release therapy is essential to:

• Strengthen the tongue
• Improve mobility
• Prepare the muscles for new function
• Prevent reattachment
• Guide proper healing
• Aid in visualization for provider during release

Release without therapy often leads to incomplete results.

 Yes — I often collaborate with:

• Airway dentists
• Orthodontists
• ENTs
• Chiropractors
• Craniosacral therapists/Craniosacral Fascial Therapists
• Speech-language pathologists
• Sleep specialists
  A team approach leads to the best outcomes.

Not at all.
Adults can experience significant improvements in breathing, posture, sleep, and oral function through myofunctional therapy. 

You can begin with a new patient functional evaluation, where we assess breathing, posture, tongue mobility, oral muscle function, and airway indicators.
From there, we design a personalized therapy plan that aligns with your goals and needs.