You may have heard of myofunctional therapy from Dr. Morgan, but you might not be aware of what it is or of its many benefits. This therapy can be very beneficial for those who need treatment in the function and coordination of the muscles of the throat and mouth. This therapy can even improve facial aesthetics, make it easier to speak and chew, and reduce your risk of developing conditions such as sleep apnea, especially when used in conjunction with other therapies.
If you are considering myofunctional therapy, here are just a few benefits to this highly effective treatment offered by Dr. Morgan.
The Benefits of Myofunctional Therapy
1.) Improved Breathing
Do you “mouth breathe” or snore? Myofunctional therapy has been shown to help. It retrains the muscles you use for breathing and can even encourage nasal breathing.
2.) Improved Speech and Articulation
Sometimes, speech issues arise when you have improper tongue and lip function. Thus, training the muscles in the lips and tongue with myofunctional therapy can be very beneficial in helping improve your speech and articulation, which can come in handy for those with speech disorders or accents.
3.) Orthodontic Improvements
Sometimes when orthodontic problems are present, it is because you are more prone to tongue thrusting or thumb sucking. Both of these issues can affect facial growth and tooth alignment, which can cause trouble chewing and speaking and affect your temporomandibular joint (TMJ).
When myofunctional therapy is used to correct orthodontic issues, it can lead to more successful orthodontic treatment with Dr. Morgan.
4.) Treating Orofacial Disorders
Myofunctional therapy can be beneficial in treating orofacial myofunctional disorders such as tongue tie (ankyloglossia) and lip tie. Myofunctional therapy can help with feeding problems, swallowing difficulties and speech issues, as well as the many problems these issues may cause.
5.) Reduced Risk of Dental Problems
The misalignment of teeth (malocclusion) and jaw pain can be particularly dangerous. They can cause difficulty chewing, difficulty opening and closing the mouth, difficulty speaking, and even chipped or cracked teeth and cavities. Myofunctional therapy can help correct these issues and reduce the need for extensive orthodontic treatment or jaw surgeries.
6.) Reduced TMJ Dysfunction Pain
Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ dysfunction, or TMD) can be a pain in the jaw. With proper muscle alignment from myofunctional therapy, you can help restore proper muscle function in the jaw.
This therapy can also help alleviate problems like teeth grinding, jaw clenching and the many side effects of both, including chipped or cracked teeth, jaw pain, and swelling.
7.) Better Swallowing Function
Swallowing is imperative to consuming adequate nutrition and is an essential function of the muscles of the mouth and throat. If you suffer from dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), myofunctional therapy can help you train the muscles involved in the swallowing process, which in turn will make swallowing safer and less painful.
8.) Reduced Snoring and Sleep Apnea Side Effects
When you snore or have sleep apnea, you can not only disrupt your sleep partner, but you can also have a diminished quality of sleep, as well as a reduced quality of life. With myofunctional therapy, you can strengthen the airway muscles, allowing the airway to stay open longer during sleep. This reduces the instances of snoring and the symptoms of sleep apnea.
9.) Improved Facial Aesthetics
Your face is your calling card, so, naturally, improving your facial aesthetics is a great way to feel better about yourself and put your best face forward. Myofunctional therapy can improve your appearance by retraining the muscles of the face to create a more balanced appearance.
10.) Improved Overall Health
With myofunctional therapy, there are myriad benefits to your orofacial function. It can improve your breathing function, which in turn can reduce the risk of many dangerous health problems associated with poor swallowing and hampered breathing. It can also help correct sleep-disordered breathing, chronic sinus issues and tooth decay.
Should I Try Myofunctional Therapy?
While myofunctional therapy can be highly beneficial to those who undergo this treatment with Dr. Morgan, it isn’t for everyone. That’s why a comprehensive evaluation is imperative if you feel you suffer from any of the above issues.
Myofunctional therapy works best when you follow the treatment instructions, and you may also be prescribed speech therapy or other therapies to accompany your treatment.
Each treatment is unique to the patient, so you can rest assured that your treatment will address your individual needs. If you want to learn more about how myofunctional therapy can help you, please get in touch with Dr. Morgan’s office today!