Feeding and Orofacial Development - More Than Just Eating

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 muscles don’t just help with eating—they’re also key for speech clarity, proper breathing, and healthy jaw growth.

Foods that help: apples, carrots, cucumbers, celery, jerky, whole grain crackers.

Tip: Cut foods into safe sizes, but encourage your child to bite, chew, and crunch rather than relying only on soft textures.

Swallowing: More Than a Reflex

The swallow pattern your child uses matters. Babies start with an infant swallow pattern, but as they grow, it should transition into a mature swallow where the tongue rests against the roof of the mouth. If this doesn’t happen, children may develop what’s called a “tongue thrust,” which can affect teeth alignment, speech, and even breathing.

Food Choices: Shaping Function & Growth

Many diets lean heavily on soft, processed foods that don’t require much chewing. While convenient, these foods don’t give the oral muscles enough work to do. Over time, this can impact:

• Jaw development

• Dental alignment

• Tongue strength for clear speech

• Proper airway support during sleep

Many parents worry about picky eating—and rightly so! The good news is that you can support both nutrition and orofacial development with a few strategies:

Feeding is so much more than getting nutrients in—it’s training for the muscles of the mouth that support healthy speech, teeth, and breathing. By encouraging chewing, supporting proper swallowing, and offering a variety of textures, you’re giving your child more than a meal—you’re shaping their development.

We’re Here to Help

If your child is a picky eater, struggles with chewing or swallowing, or if you’ve noticed ongoing speech or dental issues, myofunctional therapy may help.