Myofunctional Therapy: Improving Your Child's Oral and Facial Health.
Introduction: What is Myofunctional Therapy and How Does It Help with Childhood Development?
Myofunctional Therapy is a specialized therapy that focuses on correcting improper or dysfunctional patterns of muscle activity in the mouth and face. Specifically, it targets the muscles of the tongue, lips, and cheeks to improve the overall function of the mouth and promote proper dental and facial development.
It is used to treat myofunctional disorders such as tongue thrust, improper swallowing, and poor chewing. It improves muscle coordination and strengthens the tongue and orofacial muscles by teaching children how to engage the muscles appropriately.
Additionally, Myofunctional Therapy can help improve overall oral health by promoting proper breathing and reducing the risk of conditions such as sleep apnea. It also helps children develop healthier eating behaviors and better speech patterns and language development.
Myofunctional therapy typically involves a combination of exercises, techniques, and behavioral modifications to help children develop proper muscle function and habits.
Myofunctional Therapy Can Treat
Sleep apnea Oral dysfunction Mouth breathing Sleep-disordered breathing
Speech and articulation issues Irregular chewing and/or swallowing Bad oral habits (thumb or finger sucking) Low tongue posture (with possible oral restriction present)
Sleep apnea Oral dysfunction Mouth breathing Sleep-disordered breathing
Speech and articulation issues Irregular chewing and/or swallowing Bad oral habits (thumb or finger sucking) Low tongue posture (with possible oral restriction present)
The Benefit of Myofunctional Therapy
It is typically used to address issues with breathing, swallowing, and speech, as well as problems related to dental and orthodontic health.
Some common conditions that may benefit from myofunctional therapy include:
Mouth breathing: This can lead to various problems, including dry mouth, bad breath, and sleep apnea.
Tongue Thrust: occurs when the tongue pushes against the teeth during swallowing or speaking, which can cause dental problems and affect speech clarity.
Speech Disorders: Myofunctional therapy can help improve articulation and pronunciation.
Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ): This condition can cause pain and discomfort in the jaw joint and surrounding muscles; myofunctional therapy can help relieve symptoms.
Orthodontic Issues: Myofunctional therapy can be used in conjunction with orthodontic treatment to promote proper alignment and function.
The Basics (4 Goals) of Myofunctional Therapy
Correct Tongue Positioning
Myofunctional therapy helps your child have proper oral posture with lips together and tongue to the roof of the mouth, which can help prevent dental problems and improve speech.
Lips Seal
Keeping lips closed when your child closes their mouth.
Nasal Breathing
Comfortable and easy breathing through the nose. This can help alleviate issues such as snoring, sleep apnea, and other breathing-related problems.
Improve Swallowing
Swallowing is a complex process that involves many muscles in the mouth and throat. Myofunctional therapy can help improve the coordination of these muscles, leading to correct swallowing patterns.
Things like breathing through your nose or resting your tongue in the proper position are subconscious actions your child learns on their own, and unknowingly they may form habits (like mouth breathing, keeping lips open, etc.) interfering with their ability to do them correctly.
Unhealthy behaviors such as breathing through the mouth or incorrect tongue positioning can result in various health problems. The goals of the therapy are intended to restore normal functioning and prevent any symptoms or complications that may arise from improper breathing and swallowing habits in children.
Steps of Myofunctional Therapy
Myofunctional therapy typically involves several stages, varying depending on your child’s specific needs and conditions.
Here are some common stages of myofunctional therapy:
Evaluation
The first step is to undergo an evaluation by our qualified myofunctional therapist/doctors to assess your child’s needs and develop a personalized treatment plan.
Education
This stage involves educating the child on the proper techniques to improve their oral and facial muscles, such as proper swallowing, breathing, and tongue posture. It involves teaching the child to breathe through the nose instead of the mouth, retraining the tongue to rest correctly, swallowing the right way, and keeping the lips together when not eating or speaking.
Exercises
The next stage is to perform specific exercises designed to strengthen and retrain the oral and facial muscles to improve their function.
Progress Tracking
Throughout the therapy, progress is monitored, and adjustments are made to ensure the child is making progress towards their goals.
Monitoring
Once the therapy is completed, the child may be given a set of exercises to continue at home to maintain the progress made during therapy.
It’s important to note that the duration of myofunctional therapy may vary depending on the child’s needs.
Why consider Childhood Smiles for your child's myofunctional therapy?
There are several reasons to consider myofunctional therapy with us for your child:
Qualified professionals: Our myofunctional therapists/doctors are highly trained and experienced in working with children. They have the knowledge and expertise to design a customized treatment plan that meets your child’s unique needs. Read about our team of doctors by clicking here.
Individualized approach: We take a personalized approach to myofunctional therapy, tailoring our treatment plans to each individual child. This ensures that your child receives the right level of support and guidance to achieve their goals.
Evidence-based treatments: Our therapies are based on the latest research and evidence in the field of myofunctional therapy. We use proven techniques and methods to achieve the best possible outcomes for your child.
Positive and encouraging environment: We create a positive and supportive environment for your child to learn and grow. Our therapists/doctors are patient, compassionate, and skilled at working with children who may be experiencing anxiety or other challenges.
Comprehensive oral care for all your child’s needs: Childhood Smiles is an exclusive pediatric oral care center in Bangalore. We offer a complete range of treatments that your child would need to maintain an excellent oral health and overall well-being. Our team of doctors/dentists are experienced in handling complex cases of oral problems in children.