Myofunctional Therapy: Training Muscles for Better Breathing and Smiles

Carlie Amore
Oct 9
2 min read

Beyond Teeth, Toward Function

Dentistry is not only about teeth—it’s about function, posture, and airway health. One of the most powerful, yet underutilized tools in holistic dentistry is myofunctional therapy. This natural approach retrains the tongue, lips, and facial muscles to support proper breathing, swallowing, and alignment.

At Amore Dentistry, we often combine myofunctional therapy with airway orthodontics, tongue-tie releases, and holistic dentistry services to help both children and adults achieve not only straighter smiles—but healthier lives.

What Is Myofunctional Therapy?

Myofunctional therapy is a series of targeted exercises for the tongue, lips, and face designed to:

Correct improper swallowing patterns (tongue thrust).
Improve tongue posture (resting against the palate instead of the floor of the mouth).
Support nasal breathing over mouth breathing.

It’s essentially “physical therapy” for the mouth and face.

Why It Matters: The Airway Connection

When the tongue rests low in the mouth or the lips stay open, several problems may occur:

Mouth breathing → dries oral tissues, increases cavities and gum disease.
Poor jaw development → narrow arches, crowded teeth, high palate.
Airway restriction → increased risk of snoring and sleep-disordered breathing.

Research shows that improper tongue and lip function can directly contribute to sleep apnea and orthodontic relapse (Guilleminault et al., 2013).

Benefits of Myofunctional Therapy

Improved Breathing & Sleep: Encourages nasal breathing, reducing snoring and sleep apnea symptoms (Villa et al., 2015).
Orthodontic Stability: Helps keep teeth aligned after orthodontic treatment by correcting tongue thrust.
TMJ & Posture Relief: Reduces tension on the jaw joint and improves head/neck posture.
Better Facial Development in Kids: Supports wide, healthy jaws and open airways.

Who Can Benefit?

Children: with narrow arches, speech delays, or mouth breathing habits.
Teens: undergoing orthodontics who want long-term stability.
Adults: with TMJ pain, snoring, or mild sleep apnea.
Post-Frenectomy Patients: therapy ensures proper tongue mobility after tongue-tie release.

At Amore Dentistry, we evaluate patients of all ages for signs of dysfunctional oral habits. Early intervention often leads to the most dramatic improvements.

What to Expect in Therapy

Assessment: Photos, airway evaluation, and function testing.
Exercises: Daily practice of tongue placement, lip seal, breathing, and swallowing exercises.
Consistency: Just like going to the gym, progress requires consistent practice.
Integration: Often combined with orthodontics, airway expansion, or other holistic therapies.

A Natural Path to Healthier Breathing & Smiles

Myofunctional therapy is simple, non-invasive, and effective. By retraining the muscles of the mouth and face, we help patients breathe better, sleep more soundly, and enjoy lasting dental stability.

At Amore Dentistry, our holistic approach means we look beyond teeth—we see the airway, the posture, and the whole person. If you or your child struggle with mouth breathing, orthodontic relapse, or sleep issues, myofunctional therapy may be the key to lasting wellness.

References

Guilleminault C, et al. “Myofunctional therapy as a treatment for pediatric sleep-disordered breathing.” Sleep Breath. 2013. PubMed
Villa MP, et al. “Myofunctional therapy improves symptoms in children with sleep-disordered breathing.” Sleep Med. 2015. PubMed
Guimarães KC, et al. “Effects of oropharyngeal exercises on patients with moderate obstructive sleep apnea.” Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2009. PubMed