Myofunctional Therapy
Mouth Breathing, Jaw Pain,
TMJ & Tongue Tie Support
in Penticton and the South Okanagan
Myofunctional therapy uses tongue and breathing exercises to encourage nasal breathing, proper tongue posture, a comfortable lip seal, and balanced swallowing patterns. By re-training the muscles of the face, mouth, and tongue, myofunctional therapy is used to address a range of orofacial myofunctional disorders.
Who Can Benefit From Myofunctional Therapy?
Myofunctional therapy may be a helpful option for those experiencing:
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Mouth breathing and concerns around nasal breathing.
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TMJ (temporomandibular joint) pain and jaw pain or tension.
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Tongue thrust — a term often used by dentists to describe an atypical swallowing pattern.
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Tethered Oral Tissues such as tongue, lip and buccal ties, treatment before and after release improve outcomes.
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Disordered breathing, including snoring and open-mouth posture during sleep.
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Orthodontic relapse following braces or clear aligner (ex. Invisalign) treatment.
Mouth Breathing & Nasal Breathing
Mouth breathing is becoming a widely discussed topic, and for good reason! The way we breathe can influence jaw development, sleep quality, and overall health. Myofunctional therapy focuses on re-training muscles to support nasal breathing and proper tongue posture, rather than relying on mouth breathing as the default.
TMJ, Jaw Pain & Tongue Thrust
Tension in the muscles of the jaw, face, and tongue can contribute to TMJ pain, jaw pain, and tongue thrust patterns. Myofunctional therapy works to re-train these muscles through gentle, targeted exercises designed to improve coordination, position, tone, and function.
Tongue Tie & Lip Tie Support
Myofunctional therapy is a valuable part of care before and after a tongue or lip tie release, helping prepare the tissues for release and addressing compensatory movement patterns.
Schedule An Assessment
Whether Myofunctional Therapy has been recommended to you or you've simply been noticing patterns like an open-mouth resting posture, jaw tension, or orthodontic relapse, a myofunctional assessment can help identify the compensatory patterns behind your concerns and provide a personalized treatment plan.