Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (OMDs) are disorders of the muscles and functions of the face and mouth.

An Orofacial Myofunctional Disorder (OMD) involves patterns of incorrect muscle function of the tongue, lips, and jaw. These patterns can develop from a variety of underlying causes, including airway issues, prolonged oral habits, structural differences, or developmental factors.

OMDs can significantly impact both speech clarity and facial development, and often do not resolve without targeted intervention.

Common Causes:

• Airway concerns (enlarged tonsils/adenoids, allergies)

• Prolonged habits (thumb sucking, nail biting, pacifier use)

• Tongue-tie or structural differences

• Genetic or developmental factors

Key Signs:

• Open-mouth posture at rest

• Lips not gently closed

• Tongue resting low, forward, or between the teeth

Why It Matters:

• Impacts speech sound production

• Affects jaw and facial development

• Contributes to dental misalignment

• Reinforces incorrect muscle patterns

treatment:

Positive outcomes of orofacial myofunctional therapy include normalizing the posture of the mouth, tongue, and lips at rest, nasal breathing patterns, proper chewing and swallowing, ending harmful oral habits such as teeth grinding, and supporting proper speech development.