Do you have a tongue thrust problem? Myofunctional therapy can help. Tongue thrust is when the tongue pushes against or between the teeth when swallowing, speaking or at rest. It can have a big impact on your oral health, leading to speech problems, flawed dental alignment and oral musculature issues. But myofunctional therapy can help correct the problem, improve oral health and have you smiling with confidence.
What is Myofunctional Therapy?
Myofunctional therapy is an exercise-based treatment to control and optimize orofacial functions. This therapy uses focused exercises to retrain and re-educate the orofacial muscles to achieve balanced and coordinated facial muscle function. These exercises are customized to meet the individual needs of the patient and are used to address muscle weakness, poor oral motor skills, airway issues and tongue thrust issues.
How Can Myofunctional Therapy Address Tongue Thrust?
Myofunctional therapy is specifically designed to address tongue thrust. One of the key objectives of myofunctional exercises is to teach patients proper swallowing techniques, which can help retrain the muscles of the mouth, throat, and face to practice normal function. Effective myofunctional therapy for tongue thrust issues may involve a combination of exercises designed to strengthen the tongue, jaw, and facial muscles; correct tongue posture; and improve swallowing function.
Effective Exercises for Correcting Tongue Thrust
Myofunctional therapists use a variety of exercises that help to correct tongue thrust issues and improve muscular function. Exercises may include:
– Tongue thrust exercises: These exercises are designed to help patients learn how to swallow without putting pressure on the teeth. This is typically one of the first exercises used in myofunctional therapy.
– Tongue thrust retraining exercises: These exercises help to retrain the muscles of the tongue, helping to develop proper tongue posture and positioning.
– Exercises to strengthen and improve jaw and facial muscle function: These exercises are designed to strengthen the muscles of the jaw, face, and neck, helping to support normal function.
– Exercises to improve swallowing function: Exercises can improve the coordination and strength of the swallowing muscles for a more natural and effective swallow.
Benefits of Myofunctional Therapy for Tongue Thrust Issues
Myofunctional therapy offers a number of benefits when it comes to addressing tongue thrust issues and overall oral health. Some of the key benefits include:
– Improved breathing and sleep: Myofunctional therapy can help to improve airway function, leading to improved breathing and sleep quality.
– Improved dental alignment and bite: Myofunctional therapy can help to improve the alignment of the teeth and positioning of the jaws, leading to a proper bite and improved oral health.
– Reduced risk of speech and oral musculature issues: Myofunctional therapy can help reduce the risk of speech and oral musculature issues, helping to improve overall oral health.
Talk to a Myofunctional Therapist
If you or your child is experiencing tongue thrust issues, it’s important to talk to a myofunctional therapist. A myofunctional therapist will be able to assess your oral musculature and function and develop a customized treatment plan to address tongue thrust issues and improve overall oral health. With myofunctional therapy, you can correct the problem and smile with confidence.