Questions & Info
There are many things that can interfere with normal muscle function. Some of those factors can include:
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Long term pacifier use
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Long term thumb/finger sucking habits
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Nail biting
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Lip licking
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Bottle feeding
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Restricted airway due to enlarged tonsils, adenoids, deviated septum or chronic allergies
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Chronic mouth breathing
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Tongue, lip, or buccal ties
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Hereditary factors
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Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (OMD) can play a large roll in craniofacial development and can have long-term effects.
OMD’s can also relate to:
*Physical appearance
*The shape of the mouth
*Orthodontic relapse
*Feeding difficulties
*Jaw joint pain
*Dental bite and alignment
*Head and neck posture problems
*Poor sleep patterns
*Poor airway development
*Speech patterns
Speech Therapy Integrated with Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy
Many speech sound errors are rooted in oral dysfunction, and our integrated approach recognizes this critical connection.
Why Oral Function Matters for Speech
Speech production relies on precise coordination of oral structures and muscle function. Before or alongside speech-specific work, addressing underlying oral dysfunction, including resting posture, swallowing patterns, and muscle tone, removes barriers to progress and improves outcomes.
What Sets This Approach Apart
Traditional speech therapy focuses on specific speech targets, while our integrated model:
Examines:
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Oral rest posture – Is the tongue, lips, and jaw positioned to support clear speech?
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Oral function – Are swallowing and feeding patterns optimized?
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Structural readiness – Are there myofunctional barriers preventing the speech gains you're working toward?
Trains new patterns of movement to support the development of atypical speech sounds. If specific speech sound work is required this will be incorporated once the improved patterns of movement have been learned.
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Example of a Tongue-Tie
Example of an open bite
Narrow arch vs Normal arch
Enlarged tonsils
Open mouth resting posture
Restrictive maxillary frenum
Tongue-tie is a complex issue that can affect many people unknowingly. Some tongue-ties aren't as obvious as this particular patient however the impact can be very different from person to person.
Tongue-tie can affect how the tongue is able to do its functions. The tongue has to do many complex functions such as elevating, retracting protruding and lateralizing. What if a small piece of tissue was holding the tongue down like a rope? A patient may experience difficulty with eating, chewing, poor posture, swallowing, speech and stomach upset (abnormal swallow pattern may contribute to increased ingestion of air).
Where does your tongue sit in your mouth? This may be a weird question but there are typically 3 answers: On the roof of the mouth, in the middle or on the floor of the mouth. The correct tongue resting position is for the tongue to fully rest on the roof of the mouth.
Why is tongue position important?
Tongue position is important because the tongue is a huge facilitator for orofacial growth and development. when the tongue rests on the roof of the mouth it helps to stimulate the bone of the maxilla to grow in a more ideal way. When the tongue is not on the roof of the mouth we can start to see a collapse of the dental arch and can notice things such as crowding of the teeth and a non-ideal bite. This can start to affect appearance, create a high vault in the palate (this can affect nasal airway volume), contribute to orthodontic relapse, posture problems and relate to airway issues.
When you see a Certified Orofacial Myologist we do a functional assessment to see if there is a dysfunction of the orofacial muscles. If there is a tongue-tie present we look to see if it is contributing to abnormal use of the muscles. If a patient needs a tongue-tie release we work with our patients before and after to optimize the surgical outcomes.
Look at the amazing changes in occlusion with this patient! This patient had an Anterior Open Bite. We were able to assess that the tongue was not able to do its function because of a tongue-tie. Since the tongues movement was restricted the patient adapted to a "backwards swallow pattern" where the tongue would push forward on the front teeth to accomplish the swallow. This patient was referred for assessment for tongue-tie release (frenectomy). After the tongue had good mobility we were able to work on building strength and develop patterns to regain the normal function of the tongue and surrounding muscles. All patients are different and can have very different dysfunction with muscle use and patterns. Every patient requires personalized treatment planning and may need the help of multiple practitioners to get the best outcome! Book an appointment today and see what we can do for you or your loved ones.
Individual results may vary. The images shown are for educational and illustrative purposes only and represent the experiences of specific patients. They do not guarantee that you will achieve the same or similar results. Outcomes depend on multiple factors including individual health, lifestyle, and adherence to treatment.
Did you know?
Thumb/finger sucking can have a negative affect on craniofacial development. Thumb and finger sucking can also negatively impact a child’s airways, speaking and swallowing.
When trying to eliminate a habit such as thumb or finger sucking it can cause a lot of anxiety and stress for the child. It can also be exhausting for parents because they feel like they have tried all options, but now Harmony Myofunctional Therapy is here to help!
We use a proven scientific program that is encouraging and fun to eliminate the problem with no harsh appliances!
Let us help make this a positive change! Call today to book your appointment.
Certified Buteyko Practitioner
Kristin is a certified Buteyko Breathing Practitioner and a member of the Buteyko Clinic International.
Named after Dr. Konstantin Buteyko, the Buteyko Method consists of a series of breathing exercises and guidelines specifically designed to reduce over-breathing (clinically known as ‘chronic hyperventilation’). The simple fact is that many people breathe too much, which alters the natural levels of gases in the blood, reduces oxygen delivery to tissues and organs, and causes constriction of the smooth muscles surrounding blood vessels and airways. This can lead to numerous health problems. Bringing breathing volume towards normal and making the switch from mouth to nose breathing helps to alleviate such health problems.
Feeding a new baby can come with challenges you never expected — and you don't have to work through them alone. As an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), Kristin offers evidence-based, compassionate support to help you and your baby build a feeding relationship that feels comfortable and sustainable.
She has spent years working alongside dentists caring for infants with tongue ties and other tethered oral tissues. That background means she brings an added lens to feeding support: an understanding of how the muscles and structures of the mouth can influence how a baby feeds.
I support families with:
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Latch and positioning difficulties
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Painful nursing
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Concerns about milk supply
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Slow weight gain or inefficient feeding
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Screening for tongue tie and tethered oral tissues — and referral to the right provider, plus feeding support before and after a release
Above all, I believe families are best served when their providers work together. I'm committed to bridging the gap between lactation, dental, and other healthcare professionals so you receive coordinated, connected care at every stage of your feeding journey.
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