Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy

Most children are ready for structured myofunctional exercises around age 5 or 6, when they can follow directions and practice daily. Some families start earlier with simpler habit work, like reducing pacifier or thumb use and encouraging lips-closed nasal breathing.

There is no upper age limit. Teens and adults benefit too, especially those with teeth shifting after orthodontics, jaw tension, chronic mouth breathing, or a tongue-tie that was never addressed. Your speech-language pathologist will complete an oral motor and myofunctional evaluation first and let you know whether therapy makes sense now or whether it is better to wait.

Usually, yes. A release frees the tissue, but it does not teach the tongue how to use its new movement. Without therapy, many children keep the same compensations they developed before the procedure, and the tissue can tighten again as it heals.

We usually recommend a few sessions before the release to strengthen the tongue and learn the exercises, then therapy afterward focused on range of motion, tongue posture, swallowing, and speech. Our team coordinates with the release provider so stretches and exercises fit their aftercare plan. Call (346) 474-4626, extension 2, to talk about timing.

Many programs run about 3 to 6 months, with sessions every week or two and short exercises at home every day. Each exercise takes only a few minutes, but daily practice is what builds the new muscle habits, so patients who practice consistently tend to finish sooner.

Therapy usually moves through stages, starting with breathing and resting posture, then chewing and swallowing, and finally making the new patterns automatic in everyday life. Your speech-language pathologist tracks progress at every visit. Autumn Oak accepts all major health insurance plans, and our patient accounts team can check your benefits before you start.