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Myofunctional Therapy to Improve Orafacial Impairments in Children and Adults.

Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy is used to re-educate the oral facial muscles and help correct functional disorders. This can include mouth breathing, improper or lack of chewing and swallowing, orthodontic prevention and relapse and facial tension.

Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (OMD) are often unrecognized in children and adults and can have an effect on breathing, swallow patterns, muscle tension and proper function of chewing foods.

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Do you have TMJ issues, clenched or grinding teeth, are you a mouth breather, have trouble sleeping, swallowing, or even eating? You may have an Orofacial Myofunctional Disorder (OMD). OMD’s are often unrecognized and can lead to trouble breathing, orthodontic concerns, poor facial development, snoring, and sleep apnea (OSA). A leading cause of OMD is poor tongue positioning in the mouth. Myofunctional Therapy is a set of exercises that address OMD’s and help strengthen the tongue and muscles of the face. Left untreated, OMD’s can negatively impact facial and jaw development. Treatment through therapy can address these concerns and give you the confidence to face the world. Working with a dental hygienist trained in myo-functional therapy can help make that possible.

Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy in New Hamburg, ON and Surrounding Communities

Identify the Problem Early.

  • Crowded teeth
  • Teeth grinding
  • Clenched teeth
  • Early loss of teeth
  • Dental abnormalities
  • Open-mouth breathing
  • Snoring
  • Sleep obstruction / apnea
  • Difficulty eating and swallowing
  • Oral fixation (thumb or digit sucking)
  • Neuromotor development
  • Tongue thrusting that’s uncomfortable and seems impossible to control.
woman experiencing toothache

Early Intervention is Key.

The best way to get your child on the right start is by addressing the early signs and symptoms of OMD with a proactive approach. Eliminating thumb and digit sucking helps your child’s face develop correctly, often reducing the need for intense orthodontic treatment. Health First Dental Hygiene offers a 30-day habit-breaking program where your child will learn to eliminate their oral fixation. Exercises with myofunctional therapy will help get your child’s facial development back on track.

a kid sucking his thumb
woman having her teeth checked by a dentist

Build Confidence.

When a person has any of these symptoms, it’s common to feel anxious and concerned. You may have been advised of several conflicting treatments in your search to find answers, some being invasive. So, finding a dental hygienist to give you peace of mind that myofunctional therapy can alleviate symptoms of OMD without invasive techniques is imperative. The appropriate approach to this disorder can help ease your discomfort and assist with orofacial development.

Therapy Offers Relief.

Orofacial myofunctional therapy is a treatment that can alleviate pain and discomfort and can help provide the confidence needed to get more thorough and effective treatment. Myofunctional therapy for adults and children uses innovative therapies and techniques to correct specific symptoms.

woman relaxing while having myofunctional therapy

These Are Some of the Things That May Benefit from Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy

  • Improve and correct swallow patterns
  • Relief of TMJ pain
  • Headache relief
  • Improve airway
  • Improve digestion
  • Improve dental arch development
  • Improve breathing
  • Correct chewing patterns


  • Lower risk of periodontal disease
  • Improve facial tone
  • Improve facial development
  • Improve sleep
  • Reduce the need for orthodontic treatment
  • Relief of muscle tension in head and neck


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Put Your Trust in Our Expertise.

We are dedicated to working closely with you to ensure the best level of care and support for your needs. We provide the highest quality myofunctional therapy, dental hygiene, and support services at competitive prices. Our gentle approach makes getting care easier, too.

Get Quality Care.

Don’t put off the quality dental care you or your family needs. Call us today to schedule your appointment for myofascial disorders.

Schedule an appointment online or call today!

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FAQ

What Do Myofunctional Therapists Do?

Think of it as physiotherapy for your face.  Myofunctional Therapists provide an individualized plan to help retrain the orofacial muscles to improve function of the face and supporting structures. You will become more aware of the positioning of your tongue, lips, or nasal breathing patterns so that you can correct alignment and movements, giving you relief from issues like mouth breathing and TMJ concerns.

Is Therapy Expensive?

This type of therapy is often dependent on a person’s specific needs and the underlying cause of their condition. It’s common for a person with complex conditions to require more therapy and training, which adds to the cost. However, we aim to provide the most affordable services possible to minimize this risk.

How Do You Know If You Need Therapy?

It is worth getting checked out if you have misaligned teeth, orthodontic relapse, TMJ issues, mouth breathing patterns, or tongue thrusting. An individual assessment with Health First Dental Hygiene will assess for OMD’s and get you started on a therapy/exercise program to get to the root of the problem. Typically, a therapy program is between 8 to 14 sessions, dependent on the severity of the concern(s).

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