​What age is Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy suitable for?

 

Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy can be assessed at any age, but the type and amount of support recommended will depend on a child’s age, development, communication skills, ability to participate and individual needs.

 

Babies and very young children

An assessment can be helpful even when a child is too young for formal therapy. For younger children, the focus may be on identifying oral and breathing patterns, providing parents with education and strategies, and determining whether further assessment or intervention is appropriate.

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Ages 3–5: Mini Myo

Some children between approximately 3 and 5 years of age are ready for a simplified, play-based approach called Mini Myo.

Mini Myo is not a shortened version of the full OMT program. Instead, it uses age-appropriate games, activities and simple exercises to help children become aware of their lips, tongue, jaw and breathing patterns and begin developing more efficient oral habits.

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The focus is on building the foundations for good oral function, rather than expecting a preschool-aged child to complete a structured therapy program independently.

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Not every child in this age range will be ready for Mini Myo. Readiness is assessed individually.

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From around 5 years

From approximately 5 years of age, many children are developmentally ready to participate in a more structured Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy program.

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Therapy requires a child to understand instructions, practise skills regularly and develop awareness of their tongue, lips, jaw and breathing. Children who are ready to actively participate can generally make much more meaningful progress with these skills.

 

Age is only one part of the decision. A child's communication, attention, understanding, motor skills, motivation and ability to practise at home are also considered.​ Children with additional developmental or communication needs may require a different approach. Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy relies on a child's ability to understand and participate in therapy activities. For children with significant communication, cognitive, behavioural or developmental difficulties, a standard OMT program may not be appropriate. In these situations, collaboration with the child's existing health professionals may be recommended, and an assessment can help determine whether OMT is suitable and what level of support may be appropriate.

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Who can benefit from Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy?

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OMT can be appropriate for children, teenagers and adults.

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It may be recommended when there are concerns about:

• Tongue posture or tongue thrust

• Swallowing or chewing function

• Oral muscle coordination

• Speech-related oral function

• Tongue restriction

• Dental or orthodontic stability

• Snoring or sleep-disordered breathing

• Jaw or facial muscle function

 

An assessment is the best way to determine whether Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy is appropriate for you or your child. Not sure if an assessment is the right next step? [Take our quick quiz →]

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Common concerns we assess and address

 

Tongue Posture & Tongue Thrust

​The tongue plays an important role in swallowing, speech, chewing and the development of the oral and facial structures.

At rest, the tongue is ideally positioned comfortably against the palate, with the lips gently together and the teeth slightly apart.. During swallowing, the tongue should move in a coordinated pattern without excessive forward or lateral pressure against the teeth.

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A tongue thrust occurs when the tongue moves forward or between the teeth during swallowing, speech or at rest.

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Signs that may indicate an inefficient tongue posture or tongue thrust include:

• The tongue resting between or against the teeth

• The tongue being visible between the teeth when speaking or swallowing

• Difficulty maintaining an appropriate tongue resting posture

• Messy eating or difficulty managing food

• Excessive drooling or saliva loss

• Speech sound difficulties associated with tongue placement

• An open bite or changes affecting orthodontic stability

 

Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy can help retrain tongue posture, coordination and swallowing patterns.

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When these patterns are identified during childhood, therapy may be particularly valuable because oral and facial structures are still developing. However, OMT can be beneficial at any age.

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Swallowing Dysfunction

​Swallowing is a complex process involving coordinated movement of the tongue, lips, jaw, cheeks and throat.

An inefficient swallowing pattern can involve excessive movement of the lips, cheeks or jaw, forward tongue pressure, poor tongue elevation or other compensatory movements.

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OMT can be used to improve the coordination and efficiency of the muscles involved in swallowing where appropriate.

For individuals with more complex swallowing difficulties, collaboration with other health professionals, including a speech pathologist, may be recommended.

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Tongue-Tie

​A tongue-tie, or ankyloglossia, occurs when the lingual frenulum restricts the movement or function of the tongue.

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The lingual frenulum is a normal structure — a fold of tissue connecting the underside of the tongue with the floor of the mouth. However, in some people its anatomy may restrict tongue movement or contribute to compensatory patterns.

Importantly, the appearance of the frenulum alone does not determine whether a tongue-tie is functionally significant. Assessment should consider both anatomy and tongue function.

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At Happy Faces, we assess tongue function and the way restricted movement may be affecting oral function. In some cases, therapy alone may be appropriate. In other cases, referral to an appropriately qualified dental or medical professional for further assessment may be recommended.

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Where a lingual frenectomy is being considered, Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy may be used before and after the procedure to support functional tongue movement and address compensatory muscle patterns.

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Sleep-Disordered Breathing

​Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is an umbrella term describing abnormal or disrupted breathing during sleep. It includes conditions ranging from snoring through to obstructive sleep apnoea.

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OMDs can sometimes occur alongside sleep-disordered breathing, particularly when dysfunctional oral posture and breathing patterns are present.

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Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy may form one component of a multidisciplinary approach for selected individuals with sleep-disordered breathing.

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Where appropriate, therapy may focus on oral posture, tongue and lip function and breathing patterns.

OMT does not replace medical assessment or treatment for sleep-disordered breathing. Where SDB is suspected, assessment by an appropriate medical or sleep professional may be recommended.

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Breathing concerns? Learn more about Breathing Therapy →

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Speech & Oral Function

​The lips, tongue, jaw and cheeks all contribute to speech production.

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Some speech sound difficulties can be associated with inefficient tongue posture, reduced tongue mobility or poor coordination of the oral muscles.

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Where appropriate, OMT may be used alongside speech pathology to address the underlying oral motor patterns that may be contributing to speech difficulties.

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OMT does not replace speech therapy, and collaboration between professionals can be particularly valuable when both speech and orofacial myofunctional difficulties are present.

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Jaw & Facial Pain

The muscles and joints of the jaw are involved in activities such as chewing, speaking and swallowing. Difficulties with muscle function, coordination and movement can occur alongside jaw and facial pain.

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Jaw and facial pain can have many contributing factors, including muscle function, joint disorders, dental factors, trauma, sleep, stress and other physical or psychological influences.

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For some individuals, Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy may be recommended as part of a broader treatment approach for jaw or facial pain, including where muscle dysfunction, oral habits or inefficient oral function may be contributing factors.

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Therapy may focus on improving muscle coordination, jaw function and oral posture, alongside care from other appropriately qualified health professionals where needed.

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A Collaborative Approach

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Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy does not exist in isolation.

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Depending on your individual needs, we may work alongside dentists, orthodontists, ENT specialists, GPs, sleep physicians, speech pathologists, physiotherapists, lactation consultants and other health professionals.

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Our role is to identify the functional patterns that may be contributing to your concerns and determine whether OMT is appropriate, or whether another professional should be involved.

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