Myofunctional Therapy in Woodinville

Myofunctional therapy is a specialized treatment program focused on correcting improper muscle function and habits affecting the face, mouth, and throat. This therapeutic approach addresses issues like tongue thrust, incorrect swallowing patterns, mouth breathing, and improper tongue posture—all of which can significantly impact dental alignment, facial development, and even airway health. By retraining these muscles and establishing healthier oral habits, myofunctional therapy can help resolve or prevent a range of oral and airway-related problems.

At Eckland Family Dentistry, our Woodinville dentists incorporate myofunctional therapy as part of our comprehensive, risk-based approach to dental care. We understand that proper oral function is foundational to long-term dental health and overall well-being. Our team tailors each treatment plan to address your specific needs, helping you achieve results through balanced care focused on form, function, and health.

What Is Myofunctional Therapy?

Myofunctional therapy consists of exercises and techniques designed to retrain the muscles of the face, mouth, and throat. Similar to physical therapy for other parts of the body, this specialized program helps strengthen and properly coordinate the muscles used for chewing, swallowing, speaking, and breathing.

The therapy focuses on achieving these four goals, and ensuring the patient can achieve these day and night:

Proper tongue resting position (against the roof of the mouth, not pushing against teeth)
Correct swallowing patterns (without tongue thrusting)
Nasal breathing instead of mouth breathing
Lip seal and competence

These exercises are typically performed daily, with regular guidance from a trained myofunctional therapist or dentist. The specific regimen will vary based on your individual needs and the particular issues being addressed.

Benefits of Myofunctional Therapy

Addressing improper oral muscle function through myofunctional therapy can provide numerous benefits beyond simply correcting habits. When these fundamental functions are improved, many patients experience positive changes throughout their oral and overall health.

Improved Dental Alignment

One of the most visible benefits of myofunctional therapy is its positive impact on dental alignment. When tongue position and function are corrected, the natural forces on teeth become more balanced, potentially helping to:

Enhance orthodontic treatment outcomes
Reduce the risk of orthodontic relapse
Support proper dental arch development in children
Decrease pressure on teeth from improper tongue positioning

Patients undergoing orthodontic treatment often find myofunctional therapy to be a valuable complement, as it addresses the muscle habits that may have contributed to misalignment in the first place.

Better Breathing and Sleep Quality

Improper oral muscle function often coincides with breathing difficulties, which can significantly impact sleep quality. By promoting nasal breathing and proper tongue positioning, myofunctional therapy may help:

Reduce symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing in some patients
Decrease mouth breathing, which can dry oral tissues and increase inflammation
Support proper airway development and function
Improve overall sleep quality and daytime energy levels

Many patients don’t realize that their oral habits could be contributing to sleep issues. Addressing these foundational problems through myofunctional therapy can sometimes lead to substantial improvements in sleep quality.

Speech and Swallowing Improvements

The same muscles used for proper oral function also play crucial roles in speech and swallowing. Myofunctional therapy can help improve:

Articulation and pronunciation of certain sounds
Efficiency and safety of swallowing
Reduction of tongue thrusting during speech and swallowing
Management of drooling in younger patients

These improvements can be particularly beneficial for children developing speech patterns, but adults can also experience significant benefits when addressing long-standing issues.

Who Can Benefit from Myofunctional Therapy?

Myofunctional therapy can be valuable for patients of various ages facing different oral health challenges. While each person’s situation is unique, this therapy may be particularly helpful for:

Children with Developing Dentition

For younger patients, myofunctional therapy can be preventive as well as corrective. Children showing signs of:

Thumb or finger sucking habits
Pacifier dependence beyond appropriate ages
Early signs of malocclusion (improper bite)
Mouth breathing tendencies

Speech development concerns may benefit significantly from early intervention with myofunctional therapy. Addressing these issues during developmental years can sometimes prevent more complex problems later.

A child’s oral function patterns become established early, making this an ideal time to develop proper habits that will support healthy development throughout life.

Adults with Breathing or TMJ Concerns

Even for adults who have had long-established oral habits, myofunctional therapy can offer significant benefits, particularly for those experiencing:

Symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) discomfort
Chronic headaches related to oral muscle tension
Difficulty maintaining nasal breathing

While changing habits can be more challenging in adulthood, dedicated practice with proper exercises can still lead to meaningful improvements in function and comfort.

The Myofunctional Therapy Process at Eckland Family Dentistry

At Eckland Family Dentistry, we take a thorough, individualized approach to myofunctional therapy. We believe in tailoring treatments to your specific needs rather than applying a one-size-fits-all solution.

Our process typically includes:

Comprehensive assessment of oral function, habits, and related concerns
Development of a customized therapy program addressing your specific needs
Regular practice of prescribed exercises, typically for just 10-15 minutes several times daily
Periodic follow-up appointments to monitor progress and adjust exercises as needed
Integration with other treatments when appropriate, such as surgery, orthodontics or sleep therapy

Most patients begin seeing improvements within a few weeks, though complete retraining of muscle patterns typically takes several months of consistent practice.

Consult with Our Team About Myofunctional Therapy

Myofunctional therapy represents an important component of comprehensive dental care, addressing fundamental functions that impact overall oral health and development. At Eckland Family Dentistry, we’re committed to providing care that balances form, function, and health through our risk-based approach.If you’ve been experiencing issues related to oral function, orthodontic concerns, or sleep-disordered breathing, myofunctional therapy may be a valuable part of your treatment plan. Our experienced team takes pride in delivering personalized care that addresses root causes, not just symptoms. To learn more about how myofunctional therapy might benefit you or your child, contact us today at our Woodinville office through our online contact form.

Frequently Asked Questions About Myofunctional Therapy

Q: Why do I always breathe through my mouth instead of my nose?

Chronic mouth breathing can be caused by improper muscle patterns, nasal obstructions, or habitual behaviors. Myofunctional therapy helps retrain proper breathing mechanics and strengthen the muscles needed for nasal breathing, which is healthier for your body.

Q: Can myofunctional therapy help with my snoring?

Yes! Snoring is often related to improper tongue positioning and weak oral/throat muscles. Our therapy addresses these root causes by strengthening the muscles of the airway and teaching proper tongue positioning during sleep.

Q: My child has been diagnosed with sleep-disordered breathing. Could myofunctional therapy help?

Absolutely. Myofunctional therapy can be an effective part of treatment for children with sleep-disordered breathing. By addressing improper muscle patterns and teaching nasal breathing, we can help improve your child’s sleep quality and overall health.

Q: I’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea. Is myofunctional therapy an alternative to CPAP?

While myofunctional therapy isn’t always a complete replacement for CPAP, it can significantly improve symptoms and complement other treatments. Many patients find they can reduce their dependence on CPAP or other devices through proper muscle retraining.

Q: Why does my child have trouble pronouncing certain sounds like “s” or “r”?

Speech sound errors are often related to improper tongue positioning or function. Myofunctional therapy addresses the muscle patterns needed for clear speech and works well alongside traditional speech therapy.

Q: I have trouble swallowing pills/food gets stuck when I eat. Can this be helped?

Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) is often related to improper muscle coordination. Our therapy can help retrain the complex swallowing process and strengthen the involved muscles.

Q: I constantly clench or grind my teeth, especially at night. Can myofunctional therapy help?

Yes! Teeth grinding (bruxism) is often related to improper muscle patterns and tongue positioning. Our therapy helps address these underlying causes rather than just treating the symptoms with a night guard.

Q: I have frequent jaw pain and clicking. What can help?

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders often respond well to myofunctional therapy. By correcting muscle imbalances and teaching proper resting postures, we can reduce strain on the jaw joint.

Q: My face and jaw feel tired after eating chewy foods. Why is that?

Muscle fatigue during eating may indicate weak masticatory (chewing) muscles or improper chewing patterns. Myofunctional therapy can help strengthen these muscles and improve efficiency.

Q: My child’s dentist mentioned a tongue thrust. What is this and how is it treated?

Tongue thrust is an improper swallowing pattern where the tongue pushes against or between the teeth. This can cause dental problems and speech issues. Myofunctional therapy is specifically designed to correct this pattern.

Q: Can myofunctional therapy prevent my child from needing braces?

While it can’t replace orthodontic treatment in all cases, early intervention with myofunctional therapy can often reduce the complexity of future orthodontic work by addressing habits that contribute to misalignment.

Q: My child’s teeth are shifting after braces. Could this be related to tongue positioning?

Absolutely. Improper tongue positioning is a common cause of orthodontic relapse. Myofunctional therapy addresses these underlying muscle patterns to help maintain orthodontic results.

Q: Why does my child have spaces between their front teeth?

Gaps between teeth (diastemas) can be caused by improper tongue positioning, especially during swallowing. Myofunctional therapy addresses this underlying cause rather than just closing the gap cosmetically.

Q: My dentist mentioned my child has an “open bite.” What causes this?

An open bite (when the front teeth don’t meet when biting down) is often caused by improper tongue positioning, thumb sucking, or extended pacifier use. Myofunctional therapy directly addresses these underlying causes.

Q: How can I help my child stop thumb sucking/finger sucking?

Myofunctional therapy provides positive alternatives to thumb sucking and addresses the underlying needs this habit fulfills, making it easier for children to stop this behavior.

Q: My child won’t give up their pacifier. What can I do?

We offer specific strategies to help transition children away from pacifiers while addressing any oral sensory needs they may have, making the process less stressful for everyone.

Q: My child’s lips are always chapped from licking them. Is this related to oral function?

Excessive lip licking is often related to dry lips, mouth breathing, or improper resting lip posture – all issues that can be addressed through myofunctional therapy.

Q: Is my child too young for myofunctional therapy?

We offer age-appropriate therapy for children as young as 4, focusing on playful activities that build proper habits early. Early intervention often yields the best long-term results.

Q: Am I too old to benefit from myofunctional therapy?

It’s never too late! Adults of all ages can benefit from myofunctional therapy. While change may take longer in adults, significant improvements in function and symptoms are definitely possible.

Q: Does insurance cover myofunctional therapy?

Coverage varies by provider. Some medical plans cover this therapy, especially when related to diagnosed sleep disorders or following certain medical procedures. We can help you determine your coverage options.

Q: Can myofunctional therapy help with chronic headaches?

Yes, especially when headaches are related to jaw tension, teeth grinding, or improper breathing patterns. By addressing these underlying causes, many patients experience significant relief.

Q: My child drools excessively. Can this be helped with therapy?

Excessive drooling beyond the typical developmental stage is often related to low muscle tone, poor lip closure, or improper swallowing patterns – all issues that respond well to myofunctional therapy.

Q: I’ve heard mouth breathing can affect facial development. Is this true?

Yes. Chronic mouth breathing can significantly impact facial growth and development in children. Myofunctional therapy helps establish proper nasal breathing, supporting better facial development and function.

Q: Can myofunctional therapy help with chronic congestion or stuffy nose?

While therapy can’t cure allergies or structural issues, improving nasal breathing mechanics and reducing mouth breathing can significantly improve nasal function and reduce feelings of congestion for many patients.

Q: My child has been diagnosed with a lip or tongue tie. Is myofunctional therapy necessary after release?

Absolutely. Myofunctional therapy before and after a tie release is crucial for optimal outcomes. It helps retrain muscles that may have developed compensatory patterns and ensures proper function moving forward.

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