What Is Myofunctional Therapy and Does My Child Need It?

Helping feeding, speech, and function take flight for little ones in Santa Barbara.

As a parent, you may have heard the term “myofunctional therapy” from your child’s dentist or orthodontist - but what exactly does it mean? And more importantly, how do you know if it’s something your child might need?

In simple terms, myofunctional therapy is a specialized treatment that helps improve the function and coordination of the muscles of the face, mouth, and tongue. These muscles play a crucial role in breathing, swallowing, chewing, speaking, and even facial growth.

Let’s explore what this therapy involves and how it might benefit your child.

💡 What Is Myofunctional Therapy?

Myofunctional therapy uses a series of targeted exercises to retrain the oral and facial muscles to function properly. It’s often compared to physical therapy - but for the mouth and face.

The goals of therapy may include:

• Correcting tongue posture and movement

• Promoting nasal breathing instead of mouth breathing

• Improving chewing and swallowing patterns

• Enhancing speech clarity

• Supporting proper jaw and facial development

  
  

🚩 Common Signs Your Child Might Need Myofunctional Therapy

Your child may benefit from an evaluation if you notice:

• Chronic mouth breathing

• Tongue thrust (pushing the tongue forward during swallowing or speech)

• Speech sound errors or unclear articulation

• Frequent open-mouth posture

• Difficulty chewing or swallowing food properly

• Orthodontic concerns like an open bite or narrow palate

• Persistent thumb sucking or pacifier use past toddlerhood

• Snoring or signs of sleep-disordered breathing

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Myofunctional disorders are often overlooked—but early intervention can help prevent or reduce long-term complications.

🧒 Who Provides Myofunctional Therapy?

Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are trained to provide this specialized therapy. At Seabird Speech Therapy, Megan offers myofunctional therapy for toddlers, children, and adolescents using evidence-based, individualized plans.

👩‍⚕️ Why It Matters

Proper oral muscle function affects more than just speech—it impacts:

• Dental and orthodontic health

• Sleep quality and breathing

• Feeding and nutrition

• Confidence in communication

When the tongue rests and moves correctly, the face and jaw develop more harmoniously, and breathing and speaking become easier and more efficient.

✅ Should My Child Be Evaluated?

If you're concerned about your child’s mouth breathing, speech, or feeding habits, a myofunctional evaluation can provide clarity. Megan is here to help guide you through the process with care and expertise.

👉 Schedule a Consultation or Evaluation