Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy
Supporting healthy breathing, oral muscle function and lifelong habits
The way we breathe, rest our tongue, swallow and use the muscles of our face all play an important role in healthy growth and development. When these patterns aren’t developing as expected, they can influence eating, speaking, breathing, oral habits and even orthodontic treatment outcomes.
At SLP Therapy & Me, we provide evidence-based, individualised Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT) to help children develop healthy oral muscle function and establish functional habits that support everyday life.
Therapy is tailored to each child’s unique strengths, needs and goals. We work collaboratively with families and, where appropriate, other healthcare professionals such as orthodontists, dentists, ENTs, paediatricians and lactation consultants to provide coordinated care that supports the best possible outcomes.
What are Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders?
Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (OMDs) occur when the muscles of the face, lips, tongue and jaw aren’t working together as efficiently as they should. These muscles play an important role in everyday activities such as breathing, chewing, swallowing, speaking and maintaining a healthy resting posture.
When these muscle patterns aren’t developing as expected, children may develop habits such as mouth breathing, tongue thrust, low tongue posture, prolonged thumb sucking or difficulty chewing efficiently. Over time, these patterns can influence oral function and may affect other aspects of development.
OMDs often have more than one contributing factor. In some children, they may be related to oral habits or muscle patterns, while in others they may occur alongside airway concerns, enlarged adenoids, allergies, tongue restriction or orthodontic needs. This is why assessment and, where appropriate, collaboration with other healthcare professionals is an important part of care.
What is Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy?
Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT) is an evidence-based therapy approach that supports children to develop healthy oral muscle function through targeted exercises, functional practice and everyday habit changes.
The goal isn’t simply to strengthen muscles - it’s to help children establish efficient, functional patterns for breathing, chewing, swallowing and resting posture that become automatic over time.
Therapy is always tailored to the individual child and includes home practice, as consistent practice outside of sessions is essential for creating lasting change.
Signs your child may benefit from Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy
Your child may benefit from an assessment if they:
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breathe primarily through their mouth during the day
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regularly sleep with their mouth open
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snore or have noisy breathing during sleep (after appropriate medical assessment where indicated)
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have lips that rest apart most of the time
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have a tongue that rests low in the mouth
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push their tongue forward when swallowing
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continue thumb sucking or dummy use beyond the expected age
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have difficulty chewing efficiently
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are a messy eater or lose food from their mouth
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drool beyond the expected age
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have been referred by an orthodontist, dentist or ENT
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have concerns relating to tongue tie, oral function or oral habits
If you’re unsure whether OMT is appropriate for your child, an assessment can help determine whether oral muscle function may be contributing to their difficulties.
Common Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders & concerns we support
Mouth Breathing
Breathing through the nose plays an important role in healthy oral function and development. Children who habitually breathe through their mouth may develop different oral muscle patterns over time.
Therapy focuses on supporting healthy oral posture and nasal breathing habits where appropriate. Before beginning therapy, it’s important that any medical causes of mouth breathing, such as enlarged adenoids, chronic nasal congestion or structural airway concerns, have been appropriately assessed.
Tongue Thrust
A tongue thrust occurs when the tongue pushes forward against or between the teeth during swallowing. While swallowing patterns naturally develop throughout childhood, a persistent tongue thrust may influence oral function and orthodontic stability. Therapy helps children develop more efficient tongue movement and swallowing patterns through structured, functional activities.
Oral Resting Posture
Healthy oral resting posture means the lips are gently together, the tongue rests against the roof of the mouth and breathing occurs through the nose. Some children naturally develop different resting patterns that may contribute to ongoing oral habits or inefficient muscle function. Therapy focuses on building awareness and establishing healthy resting patterns throughout the day.
Thumb/Finger Sucking & Dummy Use
Thumb/finger sucking and dummy use are common parts of early childhood. However, when these habits continue beyond the recommended age, they may influence oral muscle development, tongue posture and dental alignment. Therapy supports families using positive, practical strategies to reduce these habits while building healthy replacement patterns.
Tongue Tie (Ankyloglossia)
Some children with a tongue tie experience reduced tongue mobility that may affect feeding, speech or oral function. An assessment helps determine whether tongue mobility is impacting your child’s function. Where appropriate, we work collaboratively with medical professionals and other members of your child’s healthcare team to support informed decision-making and ongoing therapy before and/or after release procedures.
Chewing & Swallowing Patterns
Efficient chewing and swallowing require coordinated movement of the lips, tongue and jaw. Some children develop movement patterns that make eating less efficient or place extra effort on oral muscles. Sometimes orofacial myofunctional difficulties also present as fussy feeding. Therapy focuses on developing functional chewing and swallowing skills that support everyday eating.
Orthodontic Support
Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy is often recommended before, during or after orthodontic treatment. Healthy tongue posture, lip seal and swallowing patterns may help children maintain the functional changes they’re working towards through orthodontic treatment. We work collaboratively with your child’s orthodontist or dentist where appropriate to ensure therapy aligns with their treatment goals.
What does an Orofacial Myofunctional assessment involve?
An assessment provides a detailed understanding of your child’s oral muscle function and helps determine whether Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy is appropriate.
During the assessment, we may:
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discuss your child’s medical, developmental and dental history
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review feeding, speech and breathing concerns
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assess lip, tongue, jaw and cheek function, including palpating for tethered oral tissues (i.e., tongue ties, lip ties, cheek ties)
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evaluate oral resting posture
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observe chewing and swallowing patterns
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assess breathing patterns
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discuss oral habits such as thumb sucking or dummy use
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identify any factors that may require referral to another healthcare professional
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answer any questions you may have
Following the assessment, we’ll explain the findings, discuss recommendations and develop an individualised therapy plan that aligns with your child’s goals.
What does Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy involve?
Every child presents with a unique combination of strengths, challenges and goals, so therapy is always individualised.
Sessions focus on developing healthy oral muscle patterns through structured, evidence-informed activities that are engaging and achievable for children. Therapy may include exercises to improve lip strength, tongue mobility, tongue elevation, jaw stability, nasal breathing awareness, swallowing patterns and oral resting posture.
Where appropriate, therapy may also incorporate the use of myofunctional appliances to support skill development and reinforce healthy oral muscle patterns. These appliances are selected based on your child’s individual needs and are used alongside active therapy, home practice and functional activities - they are not a replacement for therapy.
An important part of OMT is daily home practice. Small amounts of regular practice help new muscle patterns become automatic and are essential for successful outcomes. We’ll provide clear demonstrations, written resources and practical strategies so families feel confident supporting practice at home.
Parents play an important role throughout therapy, and where appropriate, we also work closely with orthodontists, dentists, ENTs, paediatricians, lactation consultants and other members of your child’s healthcare team to provide coordinated care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my child need a referral for Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy?
No. You can book an assessment without a referral. However, many families are referred by dentists, orthodontists, ENTs, paediatricians or other health professionals.
Why is mouth breathing a concern?
Breathing through the nose helps filter, warm and humidify the air we breathe and supports healthy oral muscle function. When a child habitually breathes through their mouth, it can influence the way the lips, tongue and jaw work together and may contribute to ongoing oral habits or inefficient oral muscle patterns.
Before beginning Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy, it’s important that any underlying medical causes of mouth breathing - such as enlarged adenoids, chronic nasal congestion or other airway concerns - have been appropriately assessed. Therapy can then help children develop healthier oral muscle function and, where appropriate, support the transition to nasal breathing.
Why is tongue thrust something that requires intervention?
A tongue thrust occurs when the tongue pushes forward against or between the teeth during swallowing, rather than resting against the roof of the mouth.
Over time, this movement pattern may contribute to difficulties maintaining healthy oral function and can influence the stability of orthodontic treatment. Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy helps children develop more efficient tongue posture and swallowing patterns that support everyday function.
Why does oral resting posture matter?
Healthy oral resting posture means the lips are gently together, the tongue rests against the roof of the mouth and breathing occurs through the nose.
Because we spend far more time resting than we do eating or speaking, our resting posture can have a significant influence on how the muscles of the face and mouth function over time. Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy helps children develop healthy resting patterns that support efficient breathing, swallowing and overall oral function.
Will Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy replace orthodontic treatment?
No. OMT does not move teeth or replace orthodontic treatment. Instead, it focuses on improving the function of the muscles of the face and mouth. Where orthodontic treatment is required, OMT may be recommended alongside treatment to support healthy oral habits and functional outcomes.
My orthodontist recommended Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy. Why?
Many orthodontists recommend Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy before, during or after orthodontic treatment because healthy tongue posture, lip seal and swallowing patterns can help support the functional changes being achieved. OMT doesn’t replace braces or other orthodontic treatment, but it may complement orthodontic care by addressing the oral muscle patterns that contribute to everyday function.
My child breathes through their mouth. Will therapy help?
If your child’s mouth breathing is related to oral muscle patterns or habits, therapy may help. However, it’s important that any underlying medical causes - such as enlarged adenoids, chronic nasal congestion or airway concerns - are assessed and managed by the appropriate medical professional before or alongside therapy.
How often will my child need to practice exercises at home?
Home practice is one of the most important parts of Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy. Because therapy aims to change muscle habits that occur throughout the day, short, consistent practice at home is essential. We’ll provide practical exercises that fit into your family’s routine and support you every step of the way.
How long will my child need Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy?
Every child progresses differently. The length of therapy depends on your child’s strengths, goals and the oral muscle patterns being addressed. Regular home practice and consistently using the strategies discussed during therapy can have a significant impact on your child’s progress, as the goal is to establish new habits that become automatic in everyday life. Following an assessment, we’ll discuss recommendations tailored to your child’s individual needs.
Ready to take the next step?
If you’re concerned about your child’s breathing, oral habits, tongue posture or oral muscle function, we’d love to help. Together, we can better understand how your child’s oral muscles are working and develop an individualised therapy plan that supports healthy function, confidence and long-term success.