The truth is, it's rarely too early, and it's certainly not too late to address oral myofunctional disorders.

For Younger Children (Ages 4-6): This age range is often ideal because a child's muscles and bones are still very pliable and developing. Early intervention can gently guide proper growth and establish healthy habits before compensatory patterns become deeply ingrained. At this age, therapy is typically introduced through fun, engaging activities and games.

For School-Aged Children and Teens (Ages 7-18): Significant progress can still be made. While some habits may be more established, children and adolescents are often highly motivated and capable of learning new neuromuscular patterns. Addressing these issues can support ongoing orthodontic treatment, improve sleep quality, and enhance overall well-being.

Ultimately, if you have concerns about your child's breathing, oral posture, or dental development, it's always a good time to consider an evaluation.

Myofunctional therapy works like a targeted training program for the muscles of the mouth and face. We begin with a thorough assessment to identify any dysfunctional patterns in your child's breathing, swallowing, and resting oral posture. Based on this assessment, I design a personalized program of gentle, yet effective, exercises. These exercises are practiced for short durations daily, helping to retrain the neuromuscular patterns. The goal is to build muscle memory and establish new, healthy habits, leading to improved function and long-term stability.

The benefits of myofunctional therapy often extend far beyond just the mouth. Parents frequently report a wide range of positive changes in their children:

Improved Nasal Breathing: Learning to breathe through the nose consistently is critical for overall health, leading to better oxygen intake and filtration.

Enhanced Sleep Quality: Proper breathing patterns can significantly reduce issues like snoring, teeth grinding, and restless sleep, resulting in more restorative sleep. This often translates to improved energy, focus, and behavior during the day.

Support for Dental Development: Correct tongue posture and lip seal provide natural forces that help guide the development of the jaws and teeth, often leading to more stable orthodontic outcomes.

Clearer Speech: Strengthening oral muscles can improve articulation and reduce speech impediments related to tongue placement.

Better Chewing and Swallowing: Efficient chewing and swallowing contribute to better digestion and can help address picky eating habits.

Overall Health and Well-being: When foundational functions like breathing and sleep improve, children often experience increased vitality, better concentration at school, and improved mood.

These benefits contribute to a child's holistic development, fostering healthier habits that can impact their physical and cognitive well-being.

People with a tongue-tie often breathe through their mouth, which can result in a variety of myofunctional problems and symptoms. Common issues include chronic jaw pain, sleep apnea, facial pain, headaches, and teeth clenching or grinding, as well as dental and orthodontic concerns. Studies indicate that tongue-tied children have a higher risk of developing sleep apnea and airway problems, and their facial and cranial growth can also be affected.

A tongue tie, or ankyloglossia, occurs when the tissue under the tongue (frenum) restricts its normal movement. The primary purpose of a tongue tie release (frenectomy) is to free the tongue, allowing it to achieve its full range of motion and function properly. This improved mobility is critical for effective eating, for children to develop clear speech, and for individuals of all ages to maintain healthy oral posture, encourage proper nasal breathing, and support optimal jaw and facial development.

Tongue tie releases are most effective when they are done in conjunction with myofunctional therapy to ensure the newly freed tongue learns to use its enhanced mobility effectively, optimizing long-term benefits for oral health and overall well-being.

Teeth clenching or grinding can indicate an airway problem. When you stop breathing during sleep, your brain sends a signal to your mouth to clench or grind in an effort to keep the mouth open. This is often a sign of a tongue-tie, where the tongue rests too low in the mouth, falling back into the airway and blocking the flow of oxygen.

Because temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are complex, effectively managing and treating TMJ pain and related symptoms often requires a skilled, multi-disciplinary approach. A knowledgeable myofunctional therapist can play a key role in helping patients connect with the right doctors and specialists for TMD care. As a myofunctional therapist, part of my role is to guide patients to the specific healthcare professionals they need for their treatment team.

Over the years, we have developed a strong referral network, which enables us to recommend the most suitable doctor, dentist, or orthodontist based on the individual needs of my patients dealing with TMJ-related concerns.

Absolutely, yes. Myofunctional therapy is an investment in your child's long-term health and development. The therapy addresses foundational issues related to breathing, swallowing, and oral posture that can have widespread effects. By correcting these patterns early, you can help mitigate the need for more extensive interventions later, such as repeated orthodontic treatment, and potentially reduce the risk of future health issues like sleep-disordered breathing. The skills learned in therapy are lifelong, promoting healthier habits that support overall well-being for years to come.

We understand that healthcare costs can accumulate, but My Functional Smile is an out-of-network provider and cannot bill insurance.

Choosing to work with an out-of-network provider offers greater transparency in treatment costs for both the patient and the provider. This allows us to focus on your needs instead of working under the constraints of insurance companies. Our pricing is clear from the start, with no hidden fees, co-pays, or premiums. At My Functional Smile, we prioritize working directly for our patients, not for insurance companies that control the time spent with you and what treatments are prioritized.

Additionally, we accept FSA and HSA payments and provide the necessary receipts.