Myofunctional Therapy is a highly effective way to retrain and improve the muscles in the mouth and face in order to enhance breathing and blood circulation, as well as to decrease the anxiety and depression associated with craniofacial malocclusions.
Its roots lie in the progressive therapies and a variety of techniques developed over the past 100 years by dentists and other healthcare professionals aiming to help people overcome problems related to malocclusion. It is a new and exciting area of medicine with promising results, for which its practitioners are still discovering, learning, and sharing the best ways to effectively maximize its benefits. In short, Myofunctional Therapy works to improve dental health, speech, and breathing.
What is Myofunctional Therapy
In an undertone, Myofunctional Therapy is an exercise program designed to improve the overall health of teeth, gums, and jaw by reworking those muscles that are not of optimal usage.
During the treatment period, patients are given exercises to do at home that focus on correcting, developing, and strengthening facial, oral, and throat muscles. The goal is to expand the palate and air passageway, thus achieving a more open breathing pattern. The exercises are also aimed at improving body posture and increasing tongue and throat support.
Who Can Benefit
Myofunctional Therapy can benefit anyone with or without a structural irregularity, from young children to the elderly. People with sleep apnea, snoring, deviated septum, chronic sinus infections and allergies, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, bedwetting, bedwetting, bedwetting, headaches, and TMJ pain may also benefit greatly from myofunctional therapy.
Also, individuals with mild, moderate, and severe symptoms of craniofacial malocclusions may also exhibit symptoms of the following disorders: Dyslexia, ADHD, pervasive developmental disorder, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.
How Does It Work
Myofunctional Therapy suggests healthy lifestyle changes aimed at promoting a proper breathing pattern, which can also help in reducing heart rate, blood pressure, anxiety levels, and overall stress. The changes are as simple but effective as regular exercise or engaging in relaxation techniques. In addition to simply training the muscles to function properly, myofunctional therapy can help improve tongue function and encourage proper swallowing patterns.
Individuals may notice results in a relatively short amount of time, such as improvement in throat strength, coordination of speech sounds, flexibility of tongue, and reduction of sleep apnea. However, it is important to note that therapy remains a long-term program, as improvement comes with regular practice over a period of time. And while results vary from person to person, people can still expect to see lasting improvements in their daily life.
The Benefits of Myofunctional Therapy
Myofunctional Therapy has many benefits and can offer relief for a variety of symptoms, as well as improve general well-being. Palate expanion alone offers numerous benefits for the dental and facial components of one’s health, some of which include:
- Reduced risk of jaw joint dysfunction and stress-related headaches
- Natural tooth spacing and reduced need for braces as the palate and mouth grow into alignment
- Optimal support for the facial structures, leading to healthier, stronger facial muscles and tissue
- Reduced risk of dental surgery
- Improved airway passages, resulting in improved sleep patterns
Conclusion
Myofunctional Therapy is a gentle, non-invasive, and highly effective way to improve breathing, confidence, and overall well-being. Its benefits are plentiful and can help improve both oral and overall health. From improved sleeping patterns and decreased risk of sleep apnea, to optimal tongue and throat support and improved posture, Myofunctional Therapy can help people live a more enjoyable and comfortable life. With regular practice and dedication, long-term results can be seen.