Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT) is a treatment for any oral health problem that affects the person's ability to function and communicate. This therapy teaches proper chewing, swallowing, breathing, and talking in all environments.
Orofacial myofunctional therapy is a type of therapy that is used to treat problems with the muscles of the face and mouth. This type of Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy and Disorders therapy can be used to treat a number of different conditions, such as:
• Oral habits (e.g., thumb sucking, tongue thrusting).
• Orofacial muscle imbalance.
• Jaw joint problems.
• Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJDs).
• Sleep-related breathing disorders.
• Facial pain.
Orofacial myofunctional therapy usually consists of exercises that are designed to improve the function of the muscles of the face and mouth. These exercises may be performed at home or in a therapist’s office. In some cases, splints or other appliances may be used to help correct muscle imbalances.
There are many reasons why people may need orofacial myofunctional therapy. Some people may have difficulty swallowing, or they may have a condition called dysphagia. Dysphagia can make it difficult to eat and drink, and can also cause problems with speech. Other people may have a condition called tongue-tie, which can make it difficult to move the tongue. Still, others may have a condition called TMJ, or temporomandibular joint disorder, which can cause pain in the jaw and face.
Orofacial myofunctional therapy can help all of these conditions. The therapist will work with the patient to help them learn how to correctly use their muscles in the mouth and face. This can help improve swallowing, speaking, and chewing. It can also help reduce pain in the jaw and face.
Orofacial myofunctional therapy is not just for people with medical conditions. Some people may simply want to improve their appearance. Others may want to learn how to correctly use their muscles in order to avoid teeth grinding or jaw clenching.