Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT) is a specialized form of physical therapy that focuses on correcting improper function of the muscles of the face, mouth, and tongue. It’s used to improve breathing, chewing, swallowing, speaking, and even facial posture—often in collaboration with orthodontists, dentists, ENTs, and speech therapists.
✅ Definition:
Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT) is a program of exercises and behavior modification techniques that retrain the muscles of the face, lips, jaw, and tongue to function properly during rest, speech, swallowing, and breathing.
🧠 What It Addresses:
OMT is commonly used to treat or improve:
- Tongue thrust (when the tongue pushes against or between the teeth when swallowing or speaking)
- Mouth breathing
- Incorrect tongue posture (tongue should rest against the palate, not lie flat on the floor of the mouth)
- Thumb sucking or prolonged pacifier use
- Snoring and mild obstructive sleep apnea (in children and adults)
- Orthodontic relapse (shifting of teeth after braces)
- Speech articulation disorders
- Feeding and swallowing issues (in children or those with neurological conditions)
💡 How It Works:
Orofacial myofunctional therapy involves a personalized exercise program, which may include:
- Strengthening and coordinating tongue, lip, and cheek muscles
- Correcting tongue resting posture (up against the roof of the mouth)
- Encouraging nasal breathing instead of mouth breathing
- Training proper swallowing technique
- Eliminating harmful oral habits (e.g., thumb sucking, nail biting)
Therapy is typically done through daily exercises over several weeks or months, often with regular guidance from a certified myofunctional therapist or trained speech-language pathologist.
🩺 Benefits:
- Promotes proper facial development in children
- Enhances outcomes of orthodontic and dental work
- Improves sleep and reduces snoring
- Supports better speech and breathing patterns
- May reduce jaw pain (TMJ), teeth grinding, and tension headaches
⚠️ Who Should Consider OMT:
- Children with speech delays, mouth breathing, or abnormal oral habits
- Adults with chronic snoring, sleep apnea, or jaw pain
- Anyone undergoing or finishing orthodontic treatment
- People who struggle with nasal congestion and rely on mouth breathing
🔍 Summary:
Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy is more than just “tongue exercises”—it’s a science-backed approach to retraining facial and oral muscle function for healthier breathing, speaking, sleeping, and development. It supports not just oral health, but whole-body wellness.