A myofunctional therapist is a healthcare professional trained to assess and correct improper oral and facial muscle function. Therapy focuses on improving the strength, coordination, and habitual patterns of the tongue, lips, jaw, and facial muscles to support optimal breathing, chewing, swallowing, speaking, and facial growth.Who Can Myofunctional Therapists Help?
Myofunctional therapy is beneficial for:
Children and adults with tongue-tie or tethered oral tissues
Patients with mouth breathing habits
Individuals with tongue thrust or altered swallowing patterns
Those undergoing orthodontic treatment or relapse cases
People suffering from TMJ dysfunction or chronic facial tension
Patients with sleep-disordered breathing, including snoring and sleep apnea
Children with orofacial growth and development concerns
Why is Myofunctional Therapy Important?
Oral muscle function directly impacts airway health, facial growth, dental stability, and long-term health.
Myofunctional therapy addresses the root cause of issues like mouth breathing, poor tongue posture, and improper muscle habits — rather than just the symptoms.
It is often an essential part of collaborative care with dentists, orthodontists, ENTs, speech-language pathologists, and sleep specialists.
Correcting dysfunctional patterns early can prevent or reduce the need for more invasive treatments later.