What Is Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (MyoTherapy)?
Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT), or Myo therapy, focuses on retraining the muscles of the face, mouth, and tongue to work properly. Through targeted exercises, it addresses orofacial myofunctional disorders (OMDs) to enhance critical functions such as breathing, swallowing, and speaking.
Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (OMDs) are simply improper habits involving the muscles of your child's face and mouth. These problems develop when a child's tongue, lips, or jaw learns an incorrect way to move or rest.
The most common OMD we see is a tongue thrust. This is when your child's tongue pushes forward against or between their teeth when they swallow, speak, or even just rest. Instead, the tongue should be resting gently on the roof of the mouth (the palate).
When these muscle habits are incorrect, they can lead to a domino effect of other issues for your child, including:
Speech Problems: Difficulty saying certain sounds, like a lisp ("s" or "z" sounds).
Dental Issues: The constant pressure can push teeth out of alignment, creating an "open bite" (a gap between the top and bottom front teeth) or causing teeth to shift back after braces.
Swallowing Difficulty: May lead to messy or picky eating.
Breathing Issues: Often linked to chronic mouth breathing (instead of nasal breathing), which can affect sleep, energy levels, and even facial development.
Myofunctional therapy is the solution to these issues. Think of it as physical therapy for the mouth. Through a series of simple, and often fun, exercises, we help retrain your child's muscles. We work with them to build new, healthy habits for how to rest their tongue, swallow correctly, and speak more clearly.
What Are Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (OMDs)?
What Causes OMDs?
Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (OMDs) rarely have just one cause; they are usually a result of poor habits and physical factors that teach the mouth muscles the wrong way to work.
The main culprits we see in children are:
Habits That Last Too Long: Thumb, finger, or pacifier sucking that continues past the toddler years (age 3 or 4) can physically push the teeth and train the tongue to rest incorrectly.
A Blocked Airway: If your child can't breathe comfortably through their nose due to enlarged tonsils, adenoids, or constant allergies, they become a mouth breather. This forces the tongue down, where it can't rest properly on the roof of the mouth.
Structural Issues: Sometimes, a child has a tongue-tie (a tight band under the tongue) or other small differences in their jaw or facial structure that make it hard for the tongue to move or rest in the right place.
Signs Your Child May Benefit From an Oral-Motor or Airway Evaluation
Many children go through phases with breathing, eating, or speech—but sometimes certain patterns can signal that a little extra support may be helpful. You might notice:
Mouth breathing, especially during rest or sleep
Tongue pushing against or between the front teeth
A low-resting tongue posture
Speech differences, such as a lisp or difficulty with sounds like t, d, n, and l
Changes in dental alignment, including an open bite or shifting teeth
Thumb- or pacifier-sucking continuing past age 3–4
Messy eating or ongoing drooling beyond age two
Snoring, restless sleep, or waking unrefreshed
Facial tension when swallowing
Headaches, earaches, or jaw discomfort
What are the benefits of Myofunctional Therapy?
Myofunctional Therapy supports more than just your child’s muscles and habits—it can make day-to-day life easier for the whole family. Parents often notice:
Greater peace of mind, knowing you’re addressing the underlying cause of breathing, eating, or speech challenges
Smoother daily routines once habits like thumb-sucking or mouth breathing begin to fade
More restful nights for everyone, as your child breathes and sleeps more comfortably
Lower risk of orthodontic relapse, which can help reduce future dental costs
Less stress around mealtimes, communication, and transitions as your child becomes more regulated and confident
A happier, more comfortable child, which naturally brings more ease to your home
These benefits create a calmer, healthier family environment where your child—and everyone around them—can thrive.
Meet Your Orofacial Myofunctional Specialist
As an Orofacial Myofunctional Therapist, Tamara Vandenbroucke, MS CCC-SLP, has partnered with families across the San Fernando Valley since 2019 to provide thoughtful, individualized care. Trained in the Myo Method, she focuses on how oral function shapes key aspects of a child's daily life, including breathing, sleep, eating, and regulation. She takes a whole-child approach to therapy, striving for progress that carries over at home, at school, and in everyday life
Clinical Expertise in Myofunctional Therapy
Our clinical approach targets the foundational mechanics of oral-motor function and upper airway health. Rather than simply treating symptoms, we address the underlying muscular and structural factors that disrupt proper tongue position, nasal airflow, and swallowing patterns.
Specialist Qualifications & Clinical Focus:
Licensed & Certified Speech-Language Pathologists (MS, CCC-SLP): Nationally credentialed through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).
Advanced Orofacial Myology Training: Specialized post-graduate clinical education covering craniofacial development, airway architecture, and neuromuscular oral rehab.
Evidence-Based Protocol Mastery: Proficiency in established myofunctional frameworks, including pre- and post-frenectomy therapy for tethered oral tissues (tongue-tie/lip-tie) and habit-elimination programs.
Multidisciplinary Medical Network: Close collaboration with local pediatric ENTs, airway-focused dentists, orthodontists, and pediatric sleep specialists to ensure well-rounded, cohesive care.
Contact us to schedule a free 15 minute consult
If you're thinking about Myofunctional Therapy, we're here to help. Schedule a consultation to discuss your concerns, get your questions answered, and find the best plan for your child.
Call or text: (818) 723-4234
Click to email: 📧 info@kmspeechtherapy.com