Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy & Disorders (OMDs)

What are OMDs:

Orofacial myofunctional disorders (OMDs) refer to abnormal patterns and dysfunctions of the muscles in the face, mouth, and throat. These disorders can interfere with everyday functions such as breathing, chewing, swallowing, and speaking.

Signs & Symptoms:

• Mouth breathing

• Difficulty chewing, swallowing, or swallowing pills

• Tongue tie

• Picky eating

• Tongue thrust

• Orthodontic relapse

• Headaches or jaw pain

• Snoring, sleep disordered breathing, sleep apnea

• Poor jaw development (high, narrow palate)

• Speech difficulties

• Crowded teeth

• Noxious oral habits (thumb sucking, finger sucking, etc)

• Excessive drooling

• Chronic neck and shoulder pain

• Chronic fatigue

• Bedwetting past age of 4

• Teeth grinding/clenching

• ADD/ADHD behaviors

• Frequent ear infections

• Long facial growth

These signs can affect overall health and development, making early identification and treatment important.

Tongue, lip, and buccal ties can significantly impact oral function and contribute to orofacial myofunctional disorders (OMDs). These ties restrict the movement of the tongue, lips, or cheeks, leading to challenges with feeding, speech, and proper oral posture. If left untreated, they can cause issues like mouth breathing, tongue thrust, and dental misalignment. Our specialized approach addresses these ties and the related OMDs, helping to restore proper muscle function and improve overall oral health. It is important to have a myofunctional therapist conduct an evaluation and provide therapy prior to any tongue tie release procedure. Early intervention and targeted therapy can make a lasting difference in your or your child’s quality of life.

Samantha specializes in assessing and treating the effects of tongue and lip ties to help clients alleviate their symptoms.

Jaw pain and temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJD) are often linked to orofacial myofunctional disorders (OMDs). When the muscles of the face, mouth, and tongue are not functioning properly, it can lead to abnormal muscle tension and improper jaw alignment. This imbalance can cause strain on the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), leading to symptoms like jaw pain, clicking or popping sounds, headaches, and difficulty chewing. By addressing the underlying OMDs through specialized therapy, we can help alleviate TMJ-related pain and improve overall jaw function, providing long-term relief and enhanced quality of life.

(OMDs) play a significant role in the success and stability of orthodontic treatment. When the muscles of the face, mouth, and tongue are not functioning properly, they can exert abnormal forces on the teeth, which may lead to misalignment or complicate orthodontic correction.

Even after orthodontic treatment, if these muscle patterns are not addressed, they can cause the teeth to shift back to their original positions, leading to what is known as orthodontic relapse.

Our Approach:

At Redwood Therapies, we work closely with orthodontists to provide a comprehensive approach to treatment. Our orofacial myofunctional therapy targets the root causes of OMDs, retraining the muscles to function correctly and supporting the long-term success of orthodontic care. By addressing these issues early and effectively, we help prevent orthodontic relapse, ensuring that your smile stays beautifully aligned for years to come.

Orofacial myofunctional therapy (OMT) is a non-invasive approach that can help manage and improve sleep-disordered breathing and sleep apnea by retraining the muscles to support a clear airway. By strengthening the tongue and facial muscles, promoting nasal breathing, and correcting oral posture, OMT can reduce the severity of sleep apnea and improve overall sleep quality. This therapy can be particularly effective when used in conjunction with other treatments, such as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy or orthodontic interventions.

Addressing the underlying myofunctional disorders can lead to more restful sleep, better health, and a higher quality of life.

Current literature demonstrates that myofunctional therapy decreases apnea-hypopnea index by approximately 50% in adults and 62% in children. Lowest oxygen saturations, snoring, and sleepiness outcomes improve in adults. Myofunctional therapy could serve as an adjunct to other obstructive sleep apnea treatments.

Tongue thrust refers to an improper swallowing pattern that causes the tongue to push against or between the teeth. This can lead to orthodontic problems, speech difficulties, and jaw pain. Samantha can help clients overcome tongue thrust through orofacial myofunctional therapy, which can improve swallowing and speech patterns and reduce symptoms, such as an open bite or lisp.

• Negatively impacting stability of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ)

• Orthodontic relapse or slowing orthodontic treatment

• Improper development of jaw growth and facial structure

• Improper alignment of the teeth

• Speech distortions

• Atypical chewing and swallowing patterns

• Picky eating

• Long-term mouth breathing patterns compromise overall health