Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders

Written By Ann Le

What Are Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders?

Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (OMDs) are patterns of muscle use in the face, mouth, and throat that interfere with normal breathing, chewing, swallowing, and resting posture.

Healthy orofacial function looks like:

  • Lips gently closed

  • Tongue resting on the palate (roof of the mouth)

  • Teeth slightly apart

  • Breathing through the nose

  • A smooth, coordinated swallow

When these patterns are disrupted, it can affect growth, sleep, speech, dental development, and overall wellbeing.

 

Common Signs of OMDs

Children, teens, and adults may show:

  • Mouth breathing

  • Snoring or noisy breathing

  • Low tongue posture

  • Tongue thrust when swallowing

  • Open‑mouth posture during the day

  • Drooling or messy eating

  • Narrow palate or crowded teeth

  • Thumb or finger sucking habits

  • Forward head posture

  • Speech sound difficulties

  • Jaw tension or clenching

 

What Causes OMDs?

OMDs usually develop from a combination of factors:

 

1. Airway or Nasal Blockage

  • Enlarged tonsils or adenoids

  • Chronic allergies

  • Deviated septum

  • Frequent congestion

  • Structural airway issues

When the nose is blocked, the body defaults to mouth breathing.

 

2. Oral Habits

  • Nail biting

  • Thumb or finger sucking

  • Dummy/pacifier use

  • Prolonged bottle feeding

  • Cheek or lip sucking

These habits can change tongue posture and facial muscle patterns.

 

3. Low Muscle Tone or Poor Coordination

  • Weak tongue or lip muscles

  • Difficulty maintaining lip seal

  • Poor chewing patterns

 

4. Tongue‑Tie (Ankyloglossia)

A restricted lingual frenulum can limit tongue mobility and affect posture and swallowing.

 

5. Inflammation

  • Food sensitivities

  • High‑inflammatory diets (eg. Processed foods, high sugar)

  • Chronic allergic irritation

Inflammation can worsen congestion and mouth breathing.

 

Why OMDs Matter

Untreated OMDs can contribute to:

  • Sleep‑disordered breathing

  • Snoring

  • Poor sleep quality

  • Behavioural or concentration issues

  • Dental crowding or bite problems

  • Narrow palate or facial growth changes

  • Speech difficulties

  • TMJ tension or headaches

Early identification and treatment can make a significant difference.

How OMDs Are Treated

Treatment focuses on restoring healthy breathing, posture, and muscle patterns.

 

1. ENT Assessment

An ENT specialist can assess for:

  • Enlarged tonsils/adenoids

  • Nasal obstruction

  • Chronic sinus issues

  • Structural airway concerns

Addressing airway blockage is often the first step.

 

2. Nasal Sprays & Allergy Management

Improving nasal breathing may include:

  • Saline sprays to rinse allergens

  • Intranasal corticosteroids to reduce inflammation

  • Antihistamines for allergy‑related symptoms

Clear nasal passages support proper tongue posture and lip seal.

 

3. Myofunctional Therapy

A structured exercise program that retrains:

  • Tongue posture

  • Lip strength and seal

  • Nasal breathing

  • Chewing and swallowing patterns

  • Coordination of facial muscles

Therapy is tailored to age, symptoms, and underlying causes.

 

4. Low‑Inflammatory Diet

Reducing inflammation can improve nasal breathing and overall health.

Families often focus on:

  • Whole foods

  • Plenty of fruits and vegetables

  • Reducing processed foods and added sugars

  • Including omega‑3 rich foods

  • Identifying any food triggers

A dietician should be consulted for a more individualised plan.

 

5. Habit Elimination (if needed)

Support to reduce:

  • Thumb/finger sucking/nail biting

  • Dummy/pacifier use

  • Oral habits that affect muscle patterns

 

6. Collaboration With Other Professionals

Depending on the child or adult, treatment may involve:

  • ENT

  • Dentist or orthodontist

  • Speech pathologist

  • Physiotherapist

  • Dietitian

  • Sleep specialist

A team approach ensures all contributing factors are addressed.

 

When to Seek Help

Consider an assessment if you notice:

  • Persistent mouth breathing

  • Snoring most nights

  • Difficulty keeping lips closed

  • Messy eating or drooling

  • Speech sound concerns

  • Narrow palate or dental crowding

  • Tongue thrust swallowing

  • Chronic congestion

  • Restless sleep or daytime fatigue

 

Key Message

Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders are common and highly treatable. With the right assessment and a personalised plan, children and adults can improve breathing, sleep, facial development, and overall wellbeing.

Ann Le
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