Orofacial myofunctional disorders — including tongue thrust, oral rest posture, and mouth breathing — affect how the tongue, lips, and jaw function at rest and during speech, swallowing, and breathing.
Why It Matters
A tongue thrust is a swallowing pattern where the tongue pushes forward against or between the teeth, instead of pressing up against the palate the way a typical swallow works. It's rarely the root problem on its own — it's usually a symptom of something else, which is why a full myofunctional evaluation matters more than treating the pattern in isolation. Common contributors include prolonged thumb-sucking or pacifier use, nasal congestion or airway obstruction, tongue tie, and enlarged tonsils or adenoids.
Left unaddressed, a persistent tongue thrust can lead to dental and orthodontic problems such as an open bite, misaligned teeth, and difficulty with specific speech sounds. The earlier it's identified — ideally in childhood — the easier it is to correct before it shapes dental development. Treatment typically combines myofunctional therapy to retrain the muscles of the tongue and mouth with orthodontic care when structural correction is also needed.
How We Approach It
We treat orofacial myofunctional patterns as part of an interconnected airway and oral function system, frequently collaborating with orthodontists and other providers on airway-focused treatment planning, including support after tongue and lip tie release.