Oral Myofunctional Therapy

Oral Myofuntional Therapy in Albuquerque, NM

If you’re looking for a way to improve your oral health, consider oral myofunctional therapy. This type of therapy can help you overcome problems with your jaw and tongue posture, leading to better oral health. Our team at Essenmacher Family Dental offers this therapy to patients who need it.

If you want to learn more about oral myofunctional therapy, call our office to schedule an appointment.

What is an orofacial myofunctional disorder?

Orofacial myofunctional disorder (OMD) is a condition that affects the function of the muscles in the mouth and face. This can lead to several issues, such as tongue thrust disorders, speech sound disorders, palatal formation disorders, and incorrect teeth alignment. Treatment involves therapy to improve muscle function and coordination. 

Typical issues associated with OMD include:

• Upper airway obstruction
• Bruxism or teeth grinding
• Orthodontic relapse
• Headaches
• Shoulder and neck misalignment
• Chronic thumb sucking or prolonged pacifier and bottle use
• Facial muscles and structural differences
• Dry mouth, which can cause tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease

What is oral myofunctional therapy?

Orthodontists often recommended myofunctional therapy (MT) for their patients who may be experiencing oral health problems. Myofunctioinal therapy focuses on exercises and activities that help improve facial skeletal growth and mouth and jaw function. Oral myofunctional therapy can correct biting, chewing, swallowing, and speaking problems. 

Signs of Orofacial Myofunctional Disorder

OMD is a condition that affects the muscles of the face and mouth and can lead to problems such as speech difficulties and improper teeth alignment. If you notice any of the following signs beginning to present themselves, you may require therapy.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Many people who suffer from sleep-disordered breathing experience frequent pauses in their breathing overnight, leading to snoring and daytime drowsiness. If obstructive sleep apnea is left untreated, this condition can also cause tooth decay and gum disease. 

Chronic Pain

If you are one of the many people who suffer from chronic facial or neck pain, you know how debilitating it can be. Chronic pain can make even the simplest activities almost impossible, whether a constant, throbbing sensation or sharp, intense pangs.

Mouth Breathing

Patients who are solely mouth breathers or do not breathe nasally enough can develop abnormal habits and patterns of orofacial function. These habits can lead to several issues such as nasal obstruction, teeth grinding, poor oral hygiene, and TMJ pain.

Teeth Grinding

Many people suffer from grinding their teeth, also known as bruxism, at some point. While it is not always a cause for concern, it can negatively affect your oral health if left untreated. It is a pretty common habit that can cause severe damage to your teeth and jaw if it is not addressed.

Misaligned Teeth

If your teeth are not correctly aligned, it can be challenging to clean them correctly, leading to tooth decay and gum disease. In addition, misaligned teeth can cause excessive wear on the enamel and make it more likely for you to experience TMJ disorder.

How does orofacial myofunctional therapy work?

If you are a dental patient seeking oral myofunctional therapy (OMT), you may be wondering how it works. Oral myofunctional therapy uses a variety of exercises to improve the function of your muscles so you can eat, speak, breathe, and sleep correctly. It can also improve poor posture, facial esthetics, and breathing disorders. If you think you are a good candidate, give our office a call to schedule an appointment.

Contact Us

Orofacial myofunctional therapy is a type of treatment that can help improve not just your smile but your overall health. If you are experiencing problems with your teeth, jaw, or tongue posture, orofacial myofunctional therapy may be the correct answer to your problems. Our dental office offers this service to our patients and would be happy to discuss it further.

Give us a call today to schedule a consultation with our dental team.