Move, Breathe, Smile: How Myofunctional Therapy Can Transform Your Oral Health
- Dr. Kevin Young
- May 29
- 4 min read
Have you ever wondered why your dentist or hygienist asks about how you breathe, swallow, or rest your tongue? Believe it or not, these everyday habits have a big impact on your oral, and even overall, health. Welcome to the world of myofunctional therapy, a modern, science-backed approach that helps people of all ages move, breathe, and smile with confidence.
What Exactly Is Myofunctional Therapy?
At its core, myofunctional therapy is like “physical therapy” for the muscles of your face, mouth, and tongue. It uses simple exercises and habit changes to retrain these muscles, supporting healthy breathing, chewing, swallowing, and tongue resting position. The therapy is gentle, personalized, and rooted in the latest understanding of how oral muscles affect dental development, sleep, and even quality of life.
Why Do Oral Habits Matter So Much?
You might be surprised at how much your mouth and facial muscles do, beyond just eating and talking. Ideally, your lips should stay closed at rest, breathing should happen through the nose, and your tongue should rest gently against the roof of your mouth. But many people develop habits like:
Chronic mouth breathing
Tongue thrusting (pressing the tongue against or between the teeth)
Low tongue posture (resting the tongue at the bottom of the mouth)
Thumb-sucking, prolonged pacifier use and oral habits like sucking on clothes (strings), licking/sucking on lips in childhood
These habits can lead to a domino effect, impacting:
The alignment of your teeth and jaws
Facial development in children
The health of your airway and quality of sleep
Risks of snoring, mild sleep apnea, and even headaches or jaw pain
Who Might Benefit from Myofunctional Therapy?
Children:
Myofunctional therapy is especially helpful for kids, as their faces and jaws are still growing. Early intervention can help prevent the need for more extensive orthodontic work later. Children who snore, mouth-breathe, struggle with speech sounds, or have difficulty breaking thumb-sucking or pacifier habits are often great candidates.
Teens and Adults:
Older patients can also see major benefits from myofunctional therapy. When there are myofunctional disorders present it can increase the risk of have recurring orthodontic issues (like teeth shifting after braces), jaw discomfort, frequent headaches, or mild sleep disturbances. Even adults who have had certain habits for decades can retrain their muscles with commitment and professional guidance.
What Happens in a Myofunctional Therapy Session?
The process always begins with a thorough assessment. Your dental professional or a trained hygienist will review your medical and dental history, observe how you breathe, and swallow, and may even take photographs or measurements. From there, a customized program is developed, typically including:
Targeted exercises: These are simple, painless, and can often be done at home in just a few minutes a day. Examples might include tongue lifts, controlled swallowing practice, or lip seal exercises.
Habit coaching: You’ll learn strategies to change unconscious habits, like remembering to keep your lips together or breathe through your nose during the day.
Progress tracking: You’ll have regular check-ins with your therapist to ensure your muscles are responding and your habits are changing as planned.
Most programs run for several months, and consistency is key. Just like building strength or flexibility in other muscles, steady practice brings the best results.
Real-World Benefits: Beyond Just a Nice Smile
Myofunctional therapy’s benefits are much broader than many people realize. Some of the real-world improvements patients often report include:
Stable orthodontic results
Clearer speech and fewer articulation issues
Reduced snoring and improved sleep quality
Relief from chronic jaw pain or headaches
Improved facial growth and development in children
Better nasal, and overall breathing habits
Perhaps most importantly, myofunctional therapy can empower patients to take control of their oral health in a proactive way—setting the stage for better health, improved confidence, and a happier smile for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does it hurt?
No—myofunctional therapy is gentle and non-invasive. Exercises may feel strange at first, but they shouldn’t cause pain.
How long does it take to see results?
Most people start to notice changes within a few weeks if they stick with the program, though full results may take several months.
Is myofunctional therapy just for kids?
Not at all! While early intervention is ideal, adults benefit as well, even if they’ve had certain habits for years.
What does myofunctional therapy treat specifically?
The four main goals of myofunctional therapy include closed lip (mouth) posture, tongue resting posture (which is critical in the development of the head and facial structures), nasal breathing, and correct swallowing patterns that start from the mouth. With these goals achieved, other issues such as snoring, jaw discomfort and speech may improve.
Myofunctional Therapy at Young Dentistry in Georgetown, Ontario
At Young Dentistry, we’re committed to helping every patient reach their healthiest smile. That’s why our Georgetown Dental team includes hygienists with specialized training in myofunctional therapy. If you or your child have questions about breathing, swallowing, speech, or jaw comfort, let us know at your next visit. We’ll help you decide if myofunctional therapy is right for you, and guide you every step of the way.
Move, breathe, and smile with confidence; the journey can start today!