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Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy

Orofacial myofunctional disorders (OMDs) are abnormal movement patterns of the face and mouth. 

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OMDs may affect, directly and/or indirectly, breastfeeding, facial skeletal growth and development, chewing, swallowing, speech, occlusion, temporomandibular joint movement, oral hygiene, stability of orthodontic treatment, facial esthetics, and more (AOMT, 2017)

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Our team at Rosario Therapy Center provides orofacial myofunctional therapy to help treat and manage OMDs.  Our team has received specialized training in Orofacial Myology which is described as the study and treatment of the oral and facial muscles as they relate to speech, dentition, chewing/bolus collection, swallowing, and overall mental and physical health.

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Causes

There is not a known, single cause of OMDs. OMDs may be caused by several factors:

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  • Blocked nasal passages because of tonsil size or allergies. When the nasal passages are blocked, people may need to breathe through their mouth instead.

  • Anything that causes the tongue to be misplaced at rest or makes it difficult to keep the lips together at rest.

  • Sucking and chewing habits past the age of 3 years.

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Signs and Symptoms

Just because a person has some or all of these symptoms does not mean that they have an OMD. Always see a professional for more information.

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Some signs of an OMD may include the following:

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  • Someone who always breathes through the mouth or has difficulty breathing through the nose.

  • Limited tongue movement.

  • Eating may be messy or difficult. Keep in mind that it is normal for babies to stick their tongue out and push food out of their mouth. Over time, they do this less. 

  • An overbite, underbite, and/or other dental problems.

  • The tongue pushing past the teeth, even when a person is not talking or using the tongue.

  • Difficulty saying some sounds, like "s" in "sun," "sh" in "ship," or "j" in "jump."

  • Drooling, especially beyond age 2.

  • Difficulty closing the lips to swallow.

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Need Support? 

Are you concerned you may have an OMD? Contact us to find out if you or your child has an OMD, we are available to screen, evaluate and treat. 

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Are you or your child struggling with thumb sucking? Our team can help!   

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We are trained and utilize "Unplugging The Thumb" which is a program designed by OroFacial Myologist Sandra Holtzman. It is a fun, easy, and successful way to stop sucking your thumb/finger. There’s a 95% success rate within 10 days.

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