Understanding the Basics

Orofacial myofunctional disorders are abnormalities in the development or use of the mouth, face, and/or tongue, and can cause disruptions or alterations in:

  • Breathing

  • Sucking

  • Chewing

  • Swallowing

  • Speech

  • Lip position

  • Tongue and cheek posture, known as oral resting posture

Individuals with orofacial myofunctional disorders can present in a variety of ways, with different root causes and symptoms, and are often referred to a myofunctional therapist by a dentist, orthodontist, or ENT specialist.
Others reach out independently for help with speech delays or other concerns.

Common Symptoms

  • Difficulty with feeding/eating as an infant

  • Thumb-sucking or nail-biting

  • Suspected tongue and/or lip-tie

  • Improper tongue-resting posture

  • Tongue-thrust swallowing

  • Difficulty with food textures or picky
    eating habits

  • Open-mouth breathing or resting with
    lips parted

  • Interrupted or poor sleep, including sleep apnea

  • Crowded teeth, shifting teeth, or bite changes

  • Jaw or neck pain and/or headaches

  • Pain or clicking in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ)

  • Difficulty with speech sounds or
    speech production

  • Abnormalities in facial development
    in children

  • Concerns with facial aesthetics