Orofacial Myology

Do you or your child…

• Have allergies or other issues that make breathing through your nose difficult?
• Snore at night? Have sleep apnea?
• Have dental malocclusions or an over/underdeveloped jaw line?
• Have a lisp or difficulty with the “R” or other speech issues?
• Exhibit an open mouth posture with the tongue lying low in the mouth, tongue against your teeth, or thrusting through teeth (tongue thrust)?
• Chew with your lips somewhat open?
• Take forever to finish meals and/or need to wash down your food with a drink?

If you’ve answered yes to any of these questions you might have an orofacial myofunctional disorder, otherwise known as an orofacial myology disorder.

Orofacial Myology disorders are much more than a tongue thrust. It involves the interaction of improper oral resting postures (what your tongue, lips, and jaw do when not eating or speaking), impaired breathing (e.g. due to enlarged tonsils and adenoids), prolonged oral habits such as tongue and thumb sucking or pacifier use, and improper chewing and swallowing patterns on speech and orthodontic and facial development. CLK Speech can evaluate and treat people with oral facial myology disorders with customized therapy solutions.

Intervention includes:

• Identifying possible issues that impede proper oral, orthodontic and facial development, such as oral breathing, and tongue and lip restrictions; and referral to and collaboration with appropriate professionals.
• Functional assessment of Tongue and Lip Ties.
• Pre- and post-frenectomy treatment.
• Oral habit elimination such as thumb or tongue sucking, or nail-biting that impede proper orthodontic development.
• Establishment of correct oral postures of the tongue, jaw, and lips.
• Establishment of correct swallow and chewing patterns as the oral preparatory stage for swallow.
• Neuromuscular re-education of the tongue, and jaw movements required for proper speech.