Myofunctional Therapy for Kids: What You Need to Know
As parents, we all want our children to grow up healthy, happy, and thriving. But sometimes, the root of certain health concerns lies in a place many wouldn’t expect: the mouth and face.
Myofunctional therapy is a growing field that addresses just that. It uses simple yet powerful exercises to improve how the muscles of the face, tongue, and mouth work together. For kids, these changes can impact everything from breathing and sleep to speech, jaw growth, and overall well-being.
If you’ve heard the term and wondered what it means or whether it could help your child, this blog will walk you through the basics. You'll learn what it is, how it works, and why we often recommend it at Integrative Family Dentistry.
What Is Myofunctional Therapy?
Myofunctional therapy is a gentle, exercise-based program designed to retrain the muscles of the mouth and face. The goal is to correct what are known as orofacial myofunctional disorders (OMDs). These include patterns like:
Mouth breathing
Low tongue posture
Tongue thrust when swallowing
Open-mouth posture
Improper chewing patterns
These habits can interfere with healthy oral development and are often connected to sleep, airway, and orthodontic concerns.
Why Kids Benefit the Most
Childhood is a critical window of growth and development. When caught early, unhealthy muscle patterns can often be corrected before they lead to more serious issues like sleep-disordered breathing, crooked teeth, or prolonged orthodontic treatment.
Some common signs that your child may benefit from myofunctional therapy include:
Snoring or mouth breathing at night
Teeth grinding or restless sleep
Open-mouth posture during the day
Tongue-tie or difficulty lifting the tongue
Orthodontic relapse or crowding
Speech delays or difficulty eating
Even if your child has already had orthodontic treatment or a tongue-tie release, therapy can play a key role in strengthening the muscles and reinforcing proper habits for lasting results.
What Do the Exercises Do?
Myofunctional therapy exercises are fun, simple, and tailored to your child’s specific needs. They may include:
Tongue elevation and posture training
Nose breathing and lip seal practice
Swallowing coordination drills
Chewing and oral awareness techniques
Strengthening of the lips, cheeks, and jaw muscles
Over time, these exercises help children develop strong, functional habits like:
Keeping the lips closed
Resting the tongue on the roof of the mouth
Breathing through the nose instead of the mouth
Swallowing properly without thrusting the tongue forward
These habits aren’t just cosmetic. They impact facial growth, airway health, sleep quality, speech development, and even emotional regulation.
A Collaborative Approach to Whole-Body Wellness
At Integrative Family Dentistry, we don’t just look at teeth. We take a whole-body approach to health, including:
Evaluating your child’s airway and facial development
Screening for tongue-ties and restricted oral tissues
Collaborating with pediatricians, ENTs, and myofunctional therapists
Offering guidance and referrals for in-office or virtual therapy programs
We work closely with families to create a custom care plan that supports not just straight teeth, but a healthier and more functional foundation for life.
The Bottom Line
If your child has trouble breathing through their nose, snores at night, struggles with a persistent open-mouth posture, or has recurring orthodontic issues, it may be time to explore myofunctional therapy. These are more than just habits. They’re signs of how your child’s body is growing and adapting. When we support proper function early, we can prevent more complex problems later.
