Midlo Myo Orofacial Myofunctional Specialties

Focusing on Sleep & TMJ Disorders

Discover the real reason you are clenching or grinding your teeth.

The muscles of your mouth and face may be contributing to TMJ pain, mouth breathing, snoring and other sleep disturbances. When the tongue is not resting properly on the roof of your mouth, your jaw is not supported and breathing may not be efficient.

Have you Noticed any of the Following?

Teeth grinding or clenching?
Head and Neck Pain or Tension?
TMJ pain, popping or clicking?
Heavy or Loud Breathing?
Open mouth posture or parted lips?
Sleeping in odd positions?
Snoring?
Restless Sleep?
Waking in a tangle of bedding?
Bedwetting?
Difficulty falling asleep or hard to wake up?

Nightmares or sleep walking?
Daytime sleepiness?
Difficulty concentrating?
Easily Distracted?
Fidgeting or Hyperactivity?
Emotional Outbursts?
Anxiety?
Nail biting, Thumb sucking?
Tongue Thrusting?
Lack of space between baby teeth?
Crooked teeth?

Any of these symptoms warrant further investigation. An orofacial myofunctional assessment can help identify the root cause of these issues. Orofacial myofunctional therapy is almost always part of an approach that consists of a team of providers focusing on functional breathing, proper tongue and lip posture, dental stability, restorative sleep and over all wellbeing.

I want to hear your story!

What is Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy?

Orofacial myofunctional therapy is more than just tongue thrust therapy. The goal is to correct the improper function of the tongue and facial muscles by using targeted exercises for oral posture retraining. Strengthening the tongue and facial muscles makes it easier to keep the tongue on the roof of the mouth, stop the tongue from resting on the teeth, keep lips closed, eliminate a tongue thrust and breathe through the nose.

Adults and Kids- Myofunctional therapy works for all ages. Your body is always changing and remodeling itself—and orofacial myofunctional therapy capitalizes on the fact that your jawbones are among the most dynamic bones in the entire body. That means they’re more receptive to the forces released when performing therapeutic exercises.

Of all the treatment options available, myofunctional therapy is probably the least invasive. In many cases, all we’re talking about is performing some simple exercises for a few minutes a day. You can often do these exercises anytime and anywhere you want. Do them while you’re watching TV or while you’re cooking dinner. You can even do them while driving to school or work.

Nasal Breathing

Nasal breathing has many benefits including regulating the nervous system, increased oxygen delivery, more quality sleep, decreasing allergy symptoms and better overall health.

Growth & Stability

The light pressure created by resting the tongue on the roof of the mouth and keeping the lips closed encourages adequate growth of both jaws, a larger airway, and orthodontic stability.

TMJ Support

Improper tongue resting position, jaw instability, tense muscles, mouth beathing, and tongue thrusting patterns can all contribute to clenching, grinding, facial tension and TMJ pain.

Benefits of Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy

Reduction in teeth grinding
Reduction in head and neck tension
Better sleep
Nasal breathing
Better mood
Better focus and attention
Decrease in hyperactivity
Less snoring
Straighter teeth

A Personalized Approach to Myofunctional Therapy

Midlo Myo Orofacial Myofunctional Specialties makes the whole-body connection. In approximately 90 minutes, you’ll discover if your lips, tongue or jaw muscles are contributing to clenching, grinding, TMJ pain, snoring, lack of concentration, sleep apnea, hyperactivity, forgetfulness, bedwetting, mood swings, depression, or anxiety.