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What Are Myofunctional Disorders?
Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders involve improper function of the muscles in and around the mouth, particularly during swallowing, breathing, and speech. These disorders can affect facial growth, dental development, and overall oral health. Identifying the early warning signs of a Myofunctional Disorder is KEY. Finding the root cause and implementing appropriate treatment and/or preventative measures can make all the difference.
Red flags for Myofunctional Disorders for young children:
🗯️ Prolonged thumb sucking or pacifier use beyond age 2–3
🗯️ Mouth breathing, especially during sleep
🗯️ Open mouth posture when at rest
🗯️ Difficulty or messiness when eating or drinking
🗯️ Articulation (speech) difficulties
🗯️ Tongue thrusting when swallowing
🗯️ Recurrent ear infections or sinus issues
🗯️ Snoring or sleep disturbances
🗯️ Allergies or asthma
🗯️ Teeth misalignment or bite issues developing
🗯️ Weak facial muscles or low muscle tone around the mouth
🗯️ Difficulty breastfeeding in infancy
Early warning signs may be associated with future sleep disordered breathing, dental malocclusions, TMJ, speech and feeding difficulties, poor posture, and behavioral issues.
So, what is next if you identify the warning signs and have concerns about your child’s oral development? Seek early intervention! Find a Speech-Language Pathologist who can help to identify the root cause of your child’s symptoms and implement an appropriate treatment plan.
Tips to encourage proper oral development:
Did you know that our tongue and lips are a natural retainer!? When they are used properly when we eat, drink, sleep and talk, they help to encourage proper oral development, including a wide palate, straight teeth and adequate airway space. When the tongue and lips are NOT doing what they should, the result can be a narrow palate, crooked teeth and sleep disordered breathing. So, it is important to implement good oral habits and patterns EARLY!
Click HERE to get a FREE download that includes a list of the early warning signs of Myofunctional Disorders, general tips on how to encourage proper oral development in toddlers and young children, and a fun activity to encourage lip closure!
Do you have more specific questions? I’m here to help! Let’s connect on Instagram or email me at juniperspeechtherapy@gmail.com.
Are you an SLP or Myofunctional Therapist looking for early intervention Myofunctional Therapy activities? Check out my MINI MYO FUN program! It’s full of fun, printable activities that are easy to implement in your therapy sessions today!
REMEMBER: Early identification and intervention are key to successful treatment outcomes. If you notice any of these warning signs, please consult with a Speech-Language Pathologist who is trained to treat Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders.
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