What is an Orofacial Myofunctional Disorder (OMD)?
OMDs can best be described as abnormal functions of the lips, jaws, or tongue position during rest, swallowing, or speech. These abnormal movement patterns may be caused by prolonged oral habits such as thumb/ finger sucking, nail biting, or the use of pacifiers. Additionally, nasal obstructions, allergies, enlarged tonsils or adenoids, or a tight lingual frenulum can contribute to abnormal function. The tissue under the tongue which connects it to the floor of the mouth is called the frenulum. It can be short or attached too close to the tip of the tongue, causing the tongue movement to be restricted. In some cases, this restriction, which doesn’t allow the tongue to rest comfortably in the roof of the mouth, can affect the proper growth and development of the upper jaw. In this circumstance, the upper jaw is too narrow, which can result in tooth crowding, deviated breathing and swallowing, and esthetic compromises such as a long face and gummy smile. This lack of adequate tongue space in the oral cavity, along with the relaxation of the tongue during sleep, may contribute to snoring, upper airway resistance, obstructive sleep apnea, or nighttime tooth grinding. In addition, individuals with narrow jaws tend to push their tongue forward during swallowing. This is known as tongue thrusting and can affect the position and stability of teeth after orthodontic treatment. Untreated OMDs can negatively affect individuals for their entire life.
What is an Orofacial Myofunctional Therapist (OMT)?
An OMT is a licensed individual, either in the field of dentistry or speech therapy, who has had postgraduate educational training in orofacial myology.
What does an OMT do?
These trained therapists work with individuals of all ages. The first step in the process is to undergo an evaluation to identify the causes of the dysfunctions.
- Habits such as thumb sucking, prolonged pacifier use, nail or cheek biting, or object chewing can contribute.
- Anatomic structures of the head and neck, such as a restricted tongue or lips by tissue known as the frenulum, can limit the movement of the tongue and lips.
- An obstruction of the airway from enlarged tonsils and adenoids, chronic rhinitis, or a deviated septum can also be responsible for causing mouth breathing instead of proper nasal breathing. By customizing a program of exercises, an OMT can help a patient strengthen the tongue muscles and improve its resting posture. The goal is to help the patient maintain lip seal throughout the day, which will result in correct nasal breathing. The importance of breathing through the nose rather than the mouth cannot be overemphasized in the pursuit of long-term health.
When should a patient start treatment?
A person who is experiencing any of the previously mentioned problems can be helped with Myofunctional therapy. It is never too late to get help and change orofacial muscle patterns.
Can Myofunctional therapy help children?
Absolutely! Children are prime candidates for OMT. When a child receives myofunctional therapy at a young age, jaw growth can achieve its maximum potential. If seen before age 12, when 90% of the craniofacial development is complete, children may experience many benefits from a course of OMT. The benefits are primarily related to improved breathing, which affects all phases of a child’s life. The problems associated with mouth breathing may include inadequate jaw development, crowding of teeth, bedwetting, and behavioral disorders such as ADHD.
By increasing the size of the upper jaw with the tongue resting in the correct position in the palate, the jaws grow to their full potential. The upper and lower jaws are then large enough to accommodate the tongue, and the teeth without crowding.