5 Signs Your Child May Benefit From Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy

Many parents have never heard of orofacial myofunctional therapy until a dentist, orthodontist, speech-language pathologist, or other provider mentions it. Yet the way the tongue, lips, jaw, and facial muscles function can affect everyday activities such as speaking, chewing, swallowing, and breathing.

Here are five signs that may be worth discussing with a qualified professional:

1. Your child frequently breathes through their mouth.
Occasional mouth breathing with a cold is normal, but persistent mouth breathing may be worth evaluating.

2. Their mouth tends to stay open at rest.
Ideally, the lips can rest comfortably together and the tongue has an appropriate resting position.

3. You notice unusual swallowing patterns.
Some children push their tongue forward or against their teeth when swallowing.

4. Certain speech sounds remain difficult.
Tongue placement and oral muscle patterns can sometimes contribute to persistent articulation difficulties.

5. Someone has mentioned a possible tongue-tie or oral-function concern.
A tongue-tie should not be evaluated simply by how it looks. What matters is how the tongue functions during speaking, eating, swallowing, and other oral activities.

What should parents do next?

Seeing one of these signs doesn’t necessarily mean your child needs therapy. A comprehensive evaluation can help determine what is happening and whether treatment or referral to another professional would be appropriate.

At Coastal Orofacial Wellness, we provide individualized speech-language pathology and orofacial myofunctional services for children and adults throughout Palm Beach and Martin counties.

Have questions about your child’s speech, breathing, swallowing, or oral function? Contact Coastal Orofacial Wellness to schedule an evaluation.