Serving Dallas, Fort Worth, Aledo, Sunnyvale, Mesquite, Richardson, Rockwall, Heath, Forney, and surrounding areas.
Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy with KLC Pediatric Therapy
KLC Pediatric Therapy provides individualized services to treat myofunctional (pediatric and adult), speech, and feeding disorders. We are are clinic that focuses on a holistic approach. We know that choosing a provider and pursing therapy is a big decision and we are here to help you every step of the way. By collaborating with a network of highly skilled providers, we are dedicated to providing you and your family with the highest level of care.
Orofacial Myofunctional Disorder - What is it?
An orofacial myofunctional disorder is an atypical, adaptive pattern of the orofacial mechanism, including one of more of the following:
▪ Open mouth posture
▪ Forward resting tongue posture (between or against teeth)
▪ Tongue thrust
▪ Thumb/finger sucking habits
Causes
There is typically a multitude of reasons, including but not limited to one or more of the following:
▪ Restricted airway caused by enlarged tonsils/adenoids, deviated septum, or allergies
▪ Oral habits such as thumb, finger, lip sucking, nail biting, grinding
▪ Extended pacifier or sippy cup use
▪ Structural or physiological abnormalities (i.e. tongue tie)
▪ Hereditary disposition
Treatment
Treatment of OMDs focuses on neuromuscular re-education; the target is to retrain the muscles to create adaptive patterns of the oral mechanism. Treatment focuses on functional breathing, establishing correct, functional movement of the tongue, lips, and mandible, to ensuring normal growth and development of the face and of dentition.
Examples of goals:
▪ Establish adequate, nasal breathing
▪ Establish appropriate tongue and lip resting posture
▪ Eliminate harmful oral habits
▪ Establish correct chewing and swallowing patterns
Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy - FAQ’s
Why is treatment important?
▪ Chronic mouth breathing impairs overall health
▪ Impaired habits can lead to improper dental alignment, jaw growth, and facial structure
▪ Impaired habits can negatively impact orthodontic treatment, or lead to relapse post-treatment
▪ Can negatively impact speech/speech development
▪ Improper eating habits can have social implications (i.e. noisy/messy eating)
Who is on the team?
The therapists at KLC Pediatric Therapy are committed to using a team approach, to achieve the best results for our clients. Team members may include a myofunctional therapist, ENT, dentist, bodyworker, and orthodontist. Most importantly, we believe the client and their family are integral members of the team.
How Long Does Myofunctional therapy take?
Treatment length varies for everyone. Following the initial evaluation, we create a treatment plan based on the individual’s needs. Sessions are scheduled weekly for 30 minutes each. The number of sessions needed will vary based on therapy goals, home carryover, attendance, client age, and treatment recommendations.
What is the goal of Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy?
The goal of myofunctional therapy is to address and correct orofacial muscle dysfunction and abnormal oral habits that can impact oral function, speech articulation, swallowing, and overall oral health. Myofunctional therapy aims to retrain and strengthen the muscles of the face, mouth, and throat to promote proper alignment, function, and coordination. Some of the main goals of myofunctional therapy include:
1. Improving oral posture
2. Enhancing speech articulation
3. Correcting swallowing patterns
4. Strengthening oral muscles
5. Eliminating harmful oral habits
6. Improving overall oral health
*Overall, the goal of myofunctional therapy is to optimize oral function, speech articulation, swallowing, and overall oral health by addressing muscle dysfunction and promoting healthy oral habits. A trained myofunctional therapist can assess the individual needs of the client and develop a personalized treatment plan to achieve these goals.
Why is Nasal Breathing important?
Nasal breathing is important for several reasons, including:
1. Humidification and filtration: The nasal passages are lined with mucous membranes that help humidify and filter the air we breathe. Nasal breathing allows for the air to be warmed and moistened before it reaches the lungs, which is essential for optimal respiratory function.
2. Filtering out pathogens and irritants: The nose acts as a filter, trapping dust, pollen, bacteria, and other airborne particles that can be harmful to the respiratory system. Nasal breathing helps to prevent these pathogens and irritants from entering the lungs.
3. Nitric oxide production: The nasal passages produce nitric oxide, a gas that has antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties. Nasal breathing allows for the inhalation of nitric oxide, which can help protect against respiratory infections and promote overall respiratory health.
4. Regulation of airflow: The nasal passages are designed to regulate the flow of air into the lungs, ensuring that the air is delivered in a controlled and efficient manner. Nasal breathing helps to optimize oxygen exchange and carbon dioxide removal in the body.
5. Oral health: Nasal breathing promotes proper oral health by keeping the mouth moist and reducing the risk of dry mouth, which can lead to dental issues such as tooth decay and gum disease.
Overall, nasal breathing is essential for maintaining healthy respiratory function, protecting against respiratory infections, and promoting overall well-being. It is important to practice nasal breathing whenever possible to support optimal respiratory health.
My baby has a tongue tie but we don’t struggle to nurse. Would it affect him/her later if we don’t get a release?
While it is true that not all babies with tongue ties experience difficulties with breastfeeding, it is still important to consider the potential long-term effects of an untreated tongue tie. Even if breastfeeding is going well currently, a tongue tie can have implications for oral function, speech development, and overall oral health as the child grows older.
Untreated tongue ties can sometimes lead to issues such as difficulty with articulating certain sounds, challenges with eating and swallowing solid foods, oral hygiene problems, and potential dental issues. In some cases, a tongue tie can also contribute to issues like sleep apnea, snoring, and other breathing difficulties.
Having a tongue tie release procedure, also known as a frenotomy or frenuloplasty, can help prevent or address these potential concerns and support optimal oral function and development in the long term.
Ultimately, the decision to pursue a tongue tie release for your baby is a personal one that should take into account your child's individual needs and circumstances. It may be helpful to consult with a myofunctional therapist, pediatrician, lactation consultant, or pediatric dentist who is knowledgeable about tongue ties to discuss your options and determine the best course of action for your child's oral health and overall well-being.
Why should my tongue stay in natural resting position (instead of thrusting forward) during swallowing?
Keeping your tongue in its natural resting position while swallowing, which involves pressing the tongue against the roof of the mouth (palate) rather than pushing it forward, offers several benefits for oral and overall health. Some of the benefits include:
1. Proper swallowing mechanics: When the tongue is in its natural resting position against the palate, it helps create a seal at the back of the mouth, preventing food and liquid from entering the airway (aspiration) during swallowing. This promotes safe and efficient swallowing mechanics.
2. Dental alignment: Maintaining proper tongue posture during swallowing can help support proper alignment of the teeth and dental arches. By exerting gentle pressure against the palate, the tongue can help guide the teeth into their correct positions, reducing the risk of dental misalignment and malocclusion.
3. Muscle coordination and tone: Keeping the tongue in its natural resting position can help maintain optimal muscle coordination and tone in the orofacial region. This can support overall oral function, speech articulation, and facial muscle balance.
4. Oral posture: Proper tongue posture during swallowing contributes to optimal oral posture at rest. This includes keeping the mouth closed, lips together, and tongue resting against the palate. Good oral posture can help prevent issues such as mouth breathing, open mouth posture, and other orofacial muscle imbalances.
5. Facial development: Correct tongue posture and swallowing patterns play a role in supporting healthy facial development, particularly in children. By promoting proper oral function and muscle balance, maintaining natural tongue resting position can help support normal jaw growth and development.
6. Speech articulation: Proper tongue posture and function are essential for clear speech articulation. By keeping the tongue in its natural resting position during swallowing, individuals can support the coordination and strength of the muscles involved in speech production, leading to clearer and more precise speech.
Overall, maintaining the natural resting position of the tongue during swallowing is important for promoting optimal oral and orofacial health, supporting proper swallowing function, dental alignment, muscle coordination, and speech articulation. Developing and maintaining good tongue posture can contribute to overall well-being and oral function.