What Is Myofunctional Therapy?

Myofunctional therapy is a form of neuromuscular re-education for the muscles of the mouth and face. It focuses on retraining how the lips, tongue, cheeks, and jaw work together during everyday functions such as breathing, chewing, swallowing, and speaking.

Often described as “physical therapy for the mouth,” myofunctional therapy uses gentle, targeted exercises to improve muscle function and resting posture. These exercises help create balance within the orofacial system and support healthy patterns that influence oral health, facial development, and overall wellness.

While myofunctional therapy may be a new concept to you there is evidence which shows it in practice starting in Italy during the 15th century. Further advancement is found in the early 1900's from the orthodontist Alfred Rogers, followed by his textbook in 1907 "Malocclusion of the Teeth" which detailed the effects of oral habits on the way the teeth worked together.

Why Is Myofunctional Therapy Important?

The way the muscles of the mouth and face function—and how they rest—has a powerful impact on the teeth, jaws, facial structure, airway, and nervous system. When these muscles are not working in harmony, the body often compensates in ways that can lead to a wide range of concerns.

Myofunctional therapy can support:

Healthy airway development and breathing patterns

Long-term orthodontic stability

Balanced facial growth and jaw development

Relief from TMJ tension and discomfort

Improved digestion through proper chewing and swallowing

Reduction in headaches, as well as head, neck, and shoulder pain

In a holistic dental approach, myofunctional therapy is used not only to support airway health, but also to address the root causes of many dental and functional issues rather than simply treating symptoms.

Our Team

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Heather Miller RDH, QOM

Heather is thrilled to be part of our dental team. With over 20 years of experience in dentistry, she has been a full-time dental hygienist since graduating from the Dental Hygiene Program at Ferris State University.

Heather is known for treating her patients like family and helping them achieve healthy, beautiful smiles. Her true passion, however, lies in holistic health and patient education. Over the past decade, she has focused her continuing education on airway dentistry and its connection to sleep disorders—leading her to become a Qualified Orofacial Myologist.

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The Foundation of Healthy Oral Function

Tongue Up, Lips Closed, and Healthy Breathing Through the Nose!

These three simple principles form the foundation of healthy oral and facial development. The resting position of the tongue, lips, and facial muscles directly influences how the jaws, teeth, face, and airway develop over time.

Crowding, uneven bites, and many types of malocclusion can often be traced back to underlying myofunctional disorders, such as improper tongue posture or chronic mouth breathing. Establishing healthy rest postures helps guide natural growth, support airway health, and promote overall balance in the body.

What Does Myofunctional Therapy Focus On?

Myofunctional therapy addresses:

Proper tongue posture
Nasal breathing
A comfortable and consistent lip seal
Correct swallowing patterns
Reduction or elimination of harmful oral habits (such as mouth breathing or tongue thrust)

These skills create a stable foundation for oral health, facial development, and long-term wellness.

What Does a Therapy Session Look Like?

Myofunctional therapy is an exercise-based program customized for each patient. Therapy sessions focus on teaching and practicing specific exercises that:

Train proper breathing, chewing, speaking, and swallowing
Strengthen and coordinate the tongue, lips, and facial muscles
Improve head and neck posture

Patients practice these exercises both in the office and at home to create lasting neuromuscular changes and sustainable results

Goals of Myofunctional Therapy

Treatment goals may include:

Establishing consistent nasal breathing
Achieving lip competence (lips resting comfortably together)
Training a proper palatal tongue resting position (both anterior and posterior)
Activating and elevating the back of the tongue
Toning the pharyngeal (throat) muscles
Improving head and neck posture
Reducing or eliminating oral habits that interfere with healthy function

Meet our Myofunctional Therapist, Heather

Heather is ready to meet with you today!