Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders

What Are Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders?

People who have an OMD might experience problems:

• breathing through their nose
• saying certain speech sounds clearly
• chewing or swallowing food

Some children have a common type of OMD called tongue thrusting or fronting. This happens when a child pushes their tongue forward when they talk, eat, or drink.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders?

OMDs can look different from person to person. Just because someone shows one or more of these signs doesn’t mean they have an OMD, but it’s a good idea to talk with a professional if you have questions or concerns.

A child with OMDs may:

• Always breathe through their mouth or have trouble breathing through their nose.
• Have difficulty moving their tongue.
• Have trouble chewing or keeping food in their mouth more than expected for their age. (It’s normal for babies and toddlers to be a little messy when they eat, and be less messy as they get older.)
• Have an overbite, underbite, and/or other dental issues.
• Push their tongue past the teeth, even when not speaking or eating.
• Have trouble saying certain sounds, like "s" in "sun," "sh" in "ship," or "j" in "jump."
• Drool enough to soak through clothes several times a day or continuing to drool beyond age 4.
• Have difficulty closing their lips to swallow.

What Causes Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders?

Several factors may contribute to OMD. Some possible causes include:

• Blocked nasal passages due to large tonsils or allergies. If their nose is blocked, a person may start breathing through their mouth instead.
• Tongue or lip posture issues, like the tongue resting too far forward or trouble keeping the lips closed when the face is at rest.
• Habits such as thumb-sucking or pacifier use past the age of 3 years.

What Does Testing for Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders Look Like?

You may see a few professionals to find out if you or your child has an OMD. These professionals may include:

• a dentist and/or orthodontist, to look at your child’s teeth and jaw movement
• a doctor, to check for allergies or enlarged tonsils and adenoids that might affect breathing
• a speech-language pathologist (SLP), to evaluate how your child speaks, eats, drinks, and breathes

Each professional examines a different part of the issue. Together, they will help you understand what is happening with you or your child.

What Is the Treatment for Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders?

The first step is to address any medical issues, like breathing problems or enlarged tonsils. After that, an SLP can work with your child or you to:

• become more aware of how they move their mouth and face
• know where their tongue and mouth muscles are when they speak, drink, and eat 
• say speech sounds more clearly
• improve how they chew and swallow
• practice breathing patterns, such as breathing through their nose

An SLP will create a plan that’s tailored to your or your child’s needs. An SLP’s treatment can help you build skills that help in everyday activities like talking and eating.

To find an SLP in your area, use ProFind.

Resources

Inclusion on this list does not imply endorsement.

• International Association of Orofacial Myology (IAOM)
• Oral Motor Institute (OMI)
• Orofacial Myology