What Is Myofunctional Therapy — and How Can It Help My Child?
If you’ve heard the term myofunctional therapy and thought, “That sounds complicated,” you’re not alone! The truth is, it’s a simple but powerful approach that supports how the muscles of the mouth, face, and tongue work together.
When these muscles don’t function properly, it can affect speech, breathing, sleep, dental health, and even overall development. Myofunctional therapy helps restore healthy patterns so children can thrive in everyday life.
What Is Myofunctional Therapy?
Myofunctional therapy is like “physical therapy for the face and mouth.” It uses gentle, targeted exercises to retrain muscles of the tongue, lips, and jaw so they work in harmony.
A child with myofunctional difficulties might:
Keep their mouth open when resting or breathing.
Struggle with tongue placement for speech sounds.
Have difficulty chewing or swallowing properly.
Experience sleep issues linked to airway function.
Has been misdiagnosed as ADD/ADHD
Have a history of oral tethers (tongue, lip, cheek ties)
Therapy focuses on building healthy habits — like nasal breathing, proper tongue resting posture, and strong oral coordination — which support speech, feeding, breathing, sleeping, and overall health.
Why Might a Child Need It?
Myofunctional challenges can show up in many ways. Some of the most common reasons children benefit from therapy include:
Speech clarity – Tongue and jaw positioning affect how sounds are made.
Feeding and swallowing – Trouble chewing or swallowing efficiently can lead to picky eating or fatigue at mealtimes.
Breathing and sleep – Mouth breathing and poor oral posture can impact sleep quality and energy during the day.
Dental and orthodontic concerns – Oral habits like thumb sucking, tongue thrust, or open-mouth posture can affect bite and alignment.
How Myofunctional Therapy Helps
Through personalized exercises, therapy can:
Improve articulation and speech clarity.
Support better breathing and airway health.
Make eating less stressful and more effective.
Complement orthodontic treatment for lasting results.
Reduce strain on the body, leading to better regulation and focus.
At its core, myofunctional therapy helps children use their bodies the way they were designed — with strength, balance, and ease.
Why Early Support Matters
The earlier patterns are addressed, the easier they are to correct. For example, research shows that early intervention in orofacial myofunctional disorders (OMDs) can improve long-term outcomes in speech, airway, and orthodontic stability (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2024).
Just like in speech therapy, early support means fewer frustrations for your child now, and fewer complications down the road.
Partnering With Families
At Coeur Speech Therapy Collective, we see myofunctional therapy as part of the bigger picture. We don’t just look at one symptom — we look at how your child’s muscles, nervous system, and daily routines all fit together.
We collaborate closely with parents, orthodontists, ENTs, dentists, and other providers so your child gets the best, most comprehensive care.
Next Steps
If your child struggles with speech clarity, picky eating, mouth breathing, or sleep issues, myofunctional therapy could be the missing piece.
Contact us today to learn more or schedule a consultation. Together, we can support your child’s communication, health, and confidence.