Myofunctional Therapy: What It Is, Who It Helps and What to Expect

Myofunctional therapy is a program of exercises for the tongue, lips, cheeks and face that retrains how you rest your tongue, breathe, chew and swallow. It is used for habits like tongue thrust and mouth breathing, and it usually works alongside dental, orthodontic or sleep treatment rather than replacing it.

What is myofunctional therapy?

The full name is orofacial myofunctional therapy, often shortened to OMT. “Orofacial” means the mouth and face, and “myofunctional” means how the muscles work. According to Cleveland Clinic, it treats orofacial myofunctional disorders: patterns where these muscles move in ways that affect breathing, chewing, swallowing or speech.

Your tongue is a strong muscle, and where it sits all day matters. At rest, the tongue ideally sits gently against the roof of the mouth, with the lips closed and breathing happening through the nose. When the tongue rests low or presses forward against the teeth, that steady pressure can gradually push teeth out of position.

What myofunctional therapy can help with

• Tongue thrust. The tongue pushes forward against or between the teeth when swallowing, speaking or resting. Cleveland Clinic notes that this pressure can misalign teeth, often causing an open bite where the front teeth do not meet, and it can contribute to gaps between the upper front teeth.
• Mouth breathing and open mouth posture. Breathing through the mouth dries the mouth and keeps the tongue low. Our article on how mouth breathing affects your teeth and airway explains why this matters. If something is physically blocking your nose, such as allergies or enlarged tonsils, that needs to be assessed by a physician as well.
• Snoring and sleep apnea. OMT is used alongside other sleep treatments, and there is some evidence it may reduce snoring and daytime sleepiness. It is not a substitute for a proper sleep assessment.
• Tongue tie. Exercises are often used after a tongue tie release to help the tongue regain its range of movement.
• Clenching, grinding and jaw pain. Muscle habits can play a part in TMJ symptoms and teeth grinding, so therapy is sometimes part of the plan.
• Supporting orthodontic treatment. Because tongue pressure can move teeth, some people work on tongue posture before or after clear aligners or braces, so old habits do not work against the new position of the teeth.

Signs you or your child might benefit

• Lips that rest apart, or a mouth that hangs open when relaxed
• Breathing through the mouth during the day or while sleeping
• Snoring or restless sleep
• The tongue showing between the teeth when speaking or swallowing
• Trouble with sounds like “s” and “z”
• Messy eating, or food escaping the mouth when swallowing
• An open bite or a gap between the front teeth
• Thumb sucking, pacifier or sippy cup use past about age 3
• Often biting the tongue or cheek by accident

None of these on their own means you need therapy, but they are worth mentioning at your next dental visit.

What happens in myofunctional therapy

The assessment. The therapist looks at how you breathe, where your tongue and lips rest, and how you swallow, chew and speak. They may ask about sleep, snoring, habits and any orthodontic or medical history. If other issues show up, such as a blocked nose or signs of a sleep problem, they may suggest you see your physician or another specialist.

The exercises. Your plan is built around your own patterns. Exercises can include lifting and holding the tongue in certain positions, strengthening the lip seal (for example, holding a small object between the lips), breathing exercises and practising a correct swallow. They are short and are mostly done at home every day.

Check-ins. Regular sessions with the therapist track your progress, correct technique and add new exercises as the old ones get easier.

How long does myofunctional therapy take?

Cleveland Clinic, citing the Academy of Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy, says treatment typically lasts six to 12 months, though it varies from person to person. The goal is for the new tongue posture, breathing and swallowing patterns to become automatic, and that takes steady practice.

The biggest factor is consistency. A few minutes of exercises every day tends to do more than a long session once a week.

Myofunctional therapy for children and adults

OMT is used for children from about age 4, teens and adults.

Children. Some children grow out of tongue thrust by age 4 or 5, so a provider may suggest watching for a while if it is not causing problems. Because a child’s face and jaws are still growing, childhood is a useful time to work on tongue posture and nasal breathing. Your children’s dentistry visits are a good chance to ask about it.

Adults. Adults often come to it for snoring, jaw tension, recovery after a tongue tie release, or to support orthodontic results. Habits are more established in adults, so it can take patience, but adults can still change them.

Is myofunctional therapy safe?

Cleveland Clinic describes OMT as safe, with no known risks, while noting that research is still growing. It helps to keep expectations realistic: it is not a quick fix, it does not replace orthodontic treatment when teeth need to be moved, and it does not replace medical care for sleep apnea. It works well as one part of a wider plan.

Frequently asked questions