Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (OMD)
Orofacial myofunctional disorders (OMDs) involve differences in how the muscles of the face, mouth, and tongue function. These patterns can impact breathing, feeding, speech, and the development of the oral cavity and airway.
Because these patterns are repeated throughout the day and during sleep, they can influence how a child grows and functions over time.
Why this matters: OMDs are not simply habits—they reflect whole-body function and can influence facial and jaw development, airway and breathing, sleep quality, and speech and feeding skills, with these patterns either supporting or working against natural development over time as a child grows.
OMD impact on function and orofacial development:
The way a child breathes, rests their tongue, and uses their oral muscles doesn’t just affect daily function—it also plays a role in how the face, jaws, and airway develop over time.
Growth is shaped by function—and these patterns are happening all day, every day.
When the tongue rests up on the palate, lips are gently closed, and breathing occurs through the nose, this supports:
Balanced facial growth
Proper jaw development
A wider, more functional palate
Efficient breathing patterns
When these patterns are disrupted (such as chronic mouth breathing or low tongue posture), development can shift in different ways.
Over time, altered muscle patterns may contribute to:
Narrow or high-arched palate
Dental crowding or misalignment
Open bite or overjet
Lips remaining open at rest
Changes in facial growth patterns (often longer, narrower facial structure)
These changes don’t happen overnight—they develop gradually as patterns repeat over time.
OMDs can also affect how a child breathes and sleeps:
Less efficient breathing (mouth vs. nasal breathing)
Increased risk of snoring or restless sleep
Daytime fatigue, irritability, or reduced focus—often showing up in younger children as hyperactivity, decreased attention, or increased meltdowns.
Greater reliance on compensatory patterns for breathing and swallowing
OMD impact on speech sounds:
Many children with OMD patterns also have speech sound differences. Research suggests a strong relationship between OMD and speech concerns, particularly with sounds like /s/, /z/, /sh/, /ch/, and /r/.
When underlying muscle patterns are not addressed, progress in traditional speech therapy can be slower or less consistent.
OMD impact on swallowing:
Children or even adults with an OMD frequently demonstrate dysfunctional chewing and swallowing habits, such as taking large bites and swallowing without completely chewing their food, chewing with their lips apart, and demonstrating a tongue-thrust swallow pattern. These behaviors often lead to food particles left behind in and around the mouth, noisy chewing and swallowing (smacking and gulping), and a messy eating area. It can also cause an upset stomach from swallowing too much air.
The Good News: Early Support Makes a Difference
Because these patterns develop over time, early, gentle support can help guide more optimal function and development.
My approach focuses on:
Supporting nasal breathing and oral rest posture
Improving coordination for eating and swallowing
Addressing habits (like prolonged pacifier use or thumb sucking)
Empowering caregivers with simple, realistic strategies
Small changes in daily routines can have a meaningful impact over time.
Note: This is not about “fixing” your child—it’s about supporting how their body is already growing and helping it work more efficiently.
Signs and Symptoms of OMD
Orofacial myofunctional disorders (OMDs) involve differences in how the muscles of the face, mouth, and tongue function at rest, during breathing, eating, and speaking. These patterns can impact speech development, feeding, airway health, and overall oral development.
You might notice some of these patterns in your child’s daily routines—during sleep, eating, or play. Many of these signs are subtle—especially in young children—and are often overlooked.
In Infants and Toddlers:
Open mouth posture at rest
Frequent mouth breathing
Noisy breathing or snoring during sleep
Difficulty with breastfeeding or bottle feeding
Excessive drooling beyond expected age
Limited tongue movement or possible tongue tie
Preference for soft foods or difficulty advancing textures
In Young Children:
Open mouth posture during the day
Tongue resting low in the mouth instead of on the palate
Tongue thrust or forward tongue movement during swallowing
Messy eating (food falling out, overstuffing, or pocketing)
Prolonged thumb sucking or pacifier use
Speech sound differences (especially /s/, /z/, /r/, “th”)
Reduced speech clarity (intelligibility)
Frequent congestion without illness
Sleep and Airway Concerns:
Snoring or noisy breathing at night
Restless sleep, frequent waking, or unusual sleep positions
Mouth open during sleep
Dark circles under the eyes (“allergic shiners”)
Daytime fatigue, irritability, or difficulty focusing
Bedwetting (beyond age-appropriate)
Oral and Structural Signs:
Lips apart at rest (lip incompetence)
Narrow or high-arched palate
Dental crowding or spacing concerns
Jaw development differences
History of oral restrictions (tongue tie, lip tie)
When to Seek Support:
If you’re noticing several of these signs, it may be helpful to explore a myofunctional consultation. Early support focuses on improving function within everyday routines—breathing, eating, and communication—before patterns become more established.
What causes myofunctional disorders?
It is often difficult to identify a single cause for an orofacial myofunctional disorder. Most OMDs involve a combination of factors that may include:
Low rest positioning of the tongue, mouth breathing
Improper oral habits such as thumb or finger sucking, cheek or nail biting
Pacifier (ab)use
An airway restriction from enlarged tonsils or adenoids
Allergies or anatomical deviations involving the nasal cavity or pharynx
Structural or physiological abnormalities such as short lingual frenulum
Neurological and sensory-neural developmental delays or abnormalities
Hereditary predisposition to any of the above factors
What is orofacial myofunctional therapy?
Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy is a specialized area of care focused on the evaluation and support of how the muscles of the face and mouth—such as the tongue, lips, cheeks, and jaw—are functioning. These muscle patterns play an important role in breathing, eating, speaking, and the natural development of the mouth and face.
Disruptions in these patterns can be influenced by a variety of factors, including habitual mouth breathing, prolonged non-nutritive sucking habits (such as thumb or finger sucking), and low tongue resting posture, among others.
The overarching goal of orofacial myofunctional therapy is to support balanced structure and function by:
Promoting nasal breathing
Establishing optimal oral rest posture (lips gently closed, tongue resting on the palate)
Improving coordination for speaking and swallowing
Collaborative Whole-Child Approach:
Orofacial myofunctional disorders are often connected to airway, structural, and whole-body factors. Because of this, support may involve collaboration with other providers to fully address underlying causes—not just the symptoms, but the underlying causes as well.
This may include:
Pediatric dentists or airway-focused dentists
Orthodontists
ENT (ear, nose, and throat) specialists
Lactation consultants
Body-based providers (such as physical or occupational therapists)
A team-based approach helps ensure that both function and contributing factors are addressed for more lasting outcomes.
My services focus on consultation, education, and guiding next steps—helping you understand your child’s needs and connect with appropriate supports when needed.
Services & Pricing
Services
I offer consultation services and limited evaluations, which are available on a case-by-case basis depending on availability. At this time, ongoing treatment is not provided; however, I’m happy to offer guidance, education, and personalized recommendations to support next steps and connect you with appropriate providers during your consultation appointment.
Consultations are conducted via phone or video and are designed to help you better understand your child’s oral development and functional needs. During your session, I will gather information regarding your concerns, current or past treatments, and answer questions related to orofacial development, oral habits, feeding/picky eating, and speech sound errors or distortions.
We may discuss areas such as mouth breathing, tongue thrust, prolonged pacifier use, feeding patterns, and overall orofacial function. Observations and recommendations are provided within a functional, developmentally appropriate framework, with a strong emphasis on caregiver education and practical strategies that can be carried over into daily routines.
Consultations may also include guidance on referrals to appropriate providers (e.g., ENT, orthodontist, dentist, or in-person myofunctional therapist), as well as support with care coordination when needed.
Who This Is For
This service is a great fit for families who:
Want guidance and clarity about their child’s speech, language, feeding, or oral development
Are looking for practical strategies to support their child during everyday routines
Value a collaborative, caregiver-focused approach to supporting development
Feel unsure about next steps and want expert input before pursuing therapy
Have concerns about oral habits, speech sound development, or feeding patterns
Are motivated to implement strategies and support their child’s progress at home
Who This May Not Be the Best Fit For
This service may not be the best fit if you are:
Seeking ongoing, direct 1:1 therapy services
Looking for frequent, hands-on treatment sessions with your child
Unable to participate in sessions or carry over strategies between consultations
In need of intensive feeding or therapy services that require in-person, ongoing intervention
Pricing
Comprehensive Consultation – $150
A comprehensive consultation designed to provide a deeper understanding of your child’s oral development, functional needs, and next steps. Ideal for new concerns or first-time clients.
Follow-Up / Guidance Session – $95
A focused session to review progress, answer additional questions, and provide continued guidance and support as needed.
Written Summary (Optional) – $40
A brief written summary of recommendations and next steps provided after your consultation.
What’s included:
Comprehensive review of concerns and developmental history
Discussion of current or past therapies and interventions
Functional assessment of oral habits and patterns (via observation and parent report)
Guidance on orofacial development and airway-related considerations
Insight into speech sound development (including sound distortions)
Personalized recommendations tailored to your child
Practical, easy-to-implement strategies for home carryover
Support with determining next steps and treatment options
Referrals to trusted providers (e.g., ENT, orthodontist, dentist, in-person myofunctional therapist)
Opportunity to ask questions and receive expert guidance in a supportive, collaborative setting
Myofunctional consultations provide individualized guidance to support oral development, speech, and feeding. These sessions are ideal for families seeking clarity, next steps, or support navigating concerns related to oral habits and function.