What is Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy?

Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy is a specialized program of exercises and habit retraining therapy designed to improve how the muscles of the tongue, lips, cheeks, and jaw work together. It focuses on establishing healthy oral habits that support efficient breathing, chewing, swallowing, speech, and proper tongue resting posture. Myofunctional therapy may be recommended before or after procedures such as tongue-tie release.

Close-up of a young child with red hair, licking their finger, and holding their hand near their face.

Myofunctional Therapy May Help With:

  • Tongue thrust

  • Incorrect tongue resting posture

  • Mouth breathing

  • Open-mouth posture

  • Difficulty chewing or swallowing

  • Speech patterns related to oral function

  • Oral muscle coordination

  • Preparation before or rehabilitation after tongue-tie release (when appropriate)

  • Support during orthodontic treatment

  • Habit elimination programs

What is Habit Elimination Therapy?

Many oral habits can continue well beyond the toddler years and may impact dental development, oral muscle function, swallowing patterns, and overall oral health. Morgan provides individualized habit elimination programs for children, teens, and adults.

Treatment focuses on understanding the reason behind the habit, building awareness, teaching replacement strategies, strengthening healthy oral muscle patterns, and providing ongoing support to achieve lasting success.

Whether your child has struggled to stop thumb sucking for years or you’re an adult dealing with nail biting or tongue posture concerns, therapy is personalized to meet your individual needs and goals.

A young girl with blonde hair and blue eyes, looking out the window with her hand near her face.

Habit elimination services include:

  • Thumb sucking

  • Finger sucking

  • Nail biting

  • Cheek biting

  • Lip biting

  • Extended pacifier use

  • Tongue sucking

  • Tongue thrust habits

  • Other persistent oral habits

Is Myofunctional Therapy Right for You?

If you or your child experience concerns related to oral habits, mouth breathing, tongue posture, swallowing, speech, or oral muscle coordination, a comprehensive evaluation can help determine whether myofunctional therapy would be beneficial. Our goal is to improve function (not just treat symptom) so you can breathe, eat, speak, and smile with greater confidence.

Close-up of a young girl lying on her side on a bed with turquoise sheets and pillows, wearing a colorful pajama top, with braided hair adorned with beads and pink hair ties, looking at the camera.