The OMD Newsletter

As children grow, proper breathing is essential to their health, development, and educational success. Children who cannot breathe well through their nose tend to breathe more through their mouth, attributing to snoring and disturbed sleep. Sleep disorders in children and adolescents are common; even infants may have sleep disorders. Studies have shown that poor sleep quality and/or quantity in children are associated with a host of problems, including academic, behavioral, d

Tongue ties are conditions that occur during childhood and can affect eating, speech, and even breathing. The tie can be an unusually short, thick, or tight band of tissue that “ties” the tongue to the floor of the mouth. Depending on the type and severity of the tie, there are methods for remediating the issue. An untreated tongue tie can cause a variety of impairments, both for the child and for the weaning mother. The primary issue with a tongue tie, is the reduced mobilit

CBCT stands for Cone Beam Computed Tomography. It’s a specialized type of 3D X-ray that provides detailed images of the bones and soft tissues of the face, head, and neck. Unlike traditional 2D X-rays, CBCT scans give a 360° view of the structures affecting breathing, swallowing, tongue posture, and jaw alignment—all of which are essential to orofacial development. We often collaborate with airway-focused dentists, ENTs, and orthodontists who use CBCT images to inform care de

Chronic oral habits such as thumb sucking, pacifier use, or teeth clenching/grinding, and abnormalities like an overly large tongue or weak mouth muscles can contribute to Orofacial Myofunctional disorders. Thumb sucking is a natural self-soothing reflex for children. However, chronic, aggressive thumb sucking can have longer term consequences to their dental and speech pattern development. Thumb sucking moves the tongue out of its normal resting position (up and back) and fo

Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (OMDs) can impact children and adults. They can be the root cause of speech sounds being produced incorrectly, swallowing and feeding difficulty, jaw pain, etc. OMDs also may cause significant issues with the alignment of teeth and jaw function. OM therapy utilizes neuromuscular re-education, stimulation, and exercises to recapture a normal dental freeway space, eliminate abnormal muscular pressure on the jaws and teeth, and stabilize the mus

ALF appliances and Palate Expanders are two methods dentists/orthodontists use to change the physical oral structure in order to remediate a variety of concerns. Is one of these options right for you? The first step is an orofacial myofunctional evaluation. We value a team approach. If we feel palatal expansion and/or orthodontics may be beneficial in your care, we have a list of orthodontists to refer you to. Please call with questions or to schedule an evaluation. ALTERNAT

Did you know myofunctional therapy isn’t just for children? Many adults struggle with issues related to oral muscle function that affect their speech, breathing, sleep, and overall quality of life. The good news? It’s never too late to retrain and strengthen these muscles. What Does Therapy Look Like? Myofunctional therapy is exercise-based. Just like working with a personal trainer at the gym, we design a customized program to retrain your oral muscles. Sessions are gentle,

When most people think about feeding, they picture nutrition—making sure kids get enough fruits, vegetables, and healthy meals. But feeding is also an important part of orofacial development. The way children chew and swallow, and even the types of foods they eat, shape the growth of their muscles, jaw, teeth, and airway. Chewing: Building Strong Muscles Chewing is like a workout for the mouth. Crunchy, chewy, and textured foods strengthen the tongue, lips, and jaw. These mus