Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy
Supporting healthier breathing, oral function and facial muscle patterns for children and adults.
Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy is an exercise-based approach that helps retrain the muscles of the tongue, lips, jaw and face.
Through assessment, education and targeted exercises, we support the development of more functional patterns for nasal breathing, tongue posture, lip closure, chewing and swallowing.
“Better oral function begins with understanding how the tongue, lips, jaw and breathing patterns work together.”
More Than Just Tongue Position
The way the tongue, lips and jaw rest and move can influence everyday functions including breathing, eating, swallowing and speaking.
Ideally, the tongue rests comfortably against the roof of the mouth, the lips remain gently closed and breathing occurs through the nose.
When these patterns do not develop effectively—or are disrupted by airway, structural, sensory or habitual factors—the muscles may begin working in less efficient ways. These are known as orofacial myofunctional disorders.
The signs can be subtle and may become more noticeable during sleep, eating, speech or orthodontic treatment.
“We look beyond the symptoms to understand the airway, structural, sensory and habitual factors that may be contributing.”
Common Signs of Orofacial Dysfunction
An assessment may be helpful if you or your child experiences:
Regular mouth breathing or an open-mouth resting posture
Difficulty keeping the lips comfortably closed
Low, forward or incorrect resting tongue position
Tongue thrusting during swallowing
Difficulties chewing or managing some food textures
Messy eating or food remaining in the mouth
Drooling beyond the expected developmental stage
Excessive jaw movement or facial tension during swallowing
Persistent thumb, finger, dummy or object-sucking habits
Speech sounds affected by tongue placement
Snoring, restless sleep or waking with a dry mouth
Jaw fatigue, facial tension or discomfort
Orthodontic concerns associated with oral habits or tongue posture
Difficulty maintaining changes following orthodontic treatment
These signs may have several possible causes. Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy does not replace medical, dental, orthodontic, ENT or speech pathology assessment where these services are required.
“Therapy is individualised, practical and designed to build new patterns through consistent everyday practice.”
How Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy Can Help
Building awareness, coordination and endurance for better everyday function.
Nasal Breathing Patterns
Developing awareness of breathing habits and supporting comfortable nasal breathing when the airway is clear and it is medically appropriate.
Tongue Resting Posture
Helping the tongue establish a more functional resting position within the mouth.
Lip Seal
Improving awareness, coordination and endurance of the lips to support a comfortable closed-mouth posture.
Chewing and Swallowing
Developing coordinated tongue, lip and jaw movements to support more functional chewing and swallowing patterns.
Oral Habit Management
Providing practical strategies to reduce persistent thumb sucking, dummy use, nail biting or other oral habits that may affect oral development.
Orthodontic Support
Addressing oral muscle patterns and habits that may work against orthodontic correction, in collaboration with the treating dentist or orthodontist.
Orofacial Strength and Coordination
Using individualised exercises to improve the control, coordination and endurance of the tongue, lips, cheeks and jaw.
“Assessment comes first, because mouth breathing, tongue thrust and altered oral patterns can have more than one cause. ”
Orofacial Therapy for Children
Early support can help children develop stronger foundations for eating, breathing, speech and oral development.
Children may develop altered oral patterns for many reasons, including airway obstruction, enlarged tonsils or adenoids, allergies, restricted oral movement, prolonged oral habits, sensory differences or developmental factors.
Therapy is tailored to the child’s age and developmental level. Sessions use clear instruction, visual feedback, games and short home activities to make practice manageable and engaging.
We work closely with parents and caregivers so new skills can be reinforced consistently between appointments.
Orofacial Therapy for Adults
Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy may also support adults experiencing persistent mouth breathing, low tongue posture, tongue thrust, facial tension or difficulty maintaining functional oral patterns.
It may be recommended alongside orthodontic treatment, dental care, management of sleep-disordered breathing or following assessment by another health professional.
Treatment is adapted to your presentation, health history and individual goals.
Our Approach
Assessment first. Individualised therapy. Collaborative care.
Orofacial function is influenced by more than muscle strength alone. Airway health, dental structure, oral anatomy, sensory preferences, established habits and development can all contribute.
For this reason, we begin with a comprehensive assessment before recommending therapy.
Where another underlying issue is suspected, we may recommend further assessment through your:
General practitioner
Ear, nose and throat specialist
Dentist or orthodontist
Speech pathologist
Paediatrician
Sleep physician or sleep service
Other relevant health professional
Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy is often most effective as one part of a coordinated, multidisciplinary plan. Australian professional guidance similarly describes it as a modality delivered within a registered practitioner’s existing scope, with multidisciplinary assessment important where breathing, speech, swallowing, dental or airway concerns overlap. Australian Association of Orofacial Myology, Speech Pathology Australia
What to Expect
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Your initial appointment may include:
Discussion of your concerns, health history and goals
Review of breathing and oral habits
Observation of resting tongue, lip and jaw posture
Assessment of tongue, lip, cheek and jaw movement
Observation of chewing and swallowing where appropriate
Review of relevant dental, orthodontic, airway or developmental factors
Identification of referrals or further assessment that may be required
Initial recommendations and education
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If therapy is recommended, we will develop a program based on your assessment findings and functional goals.
Your plan may include exercises for:
Tongue placement and movement
Lip closure and endurance
Nasal breathing awareness
Chewing and swallowing coordination
Jaw stability
Reducing compensatory facial movements
Changing persistent oral habits
Carrying new patterns into everyday activities
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Orofacial patterns develop through repetition. Regular, short periods of home practice are therefore an important part of treatment.
During appointments, we will:
Teach each activity clearly
Check technique and understanding
Progress exercises as skills improve
Help new patterns become more automatic
Review barriers to home practice
Communicate with other treating professionals when required
Appointment frequency: [Insert proposed frequency]
Session cost: [Insert fee]
Interested in Oral-Facical Myofunctional Therapy?
Contact us on 0466 074 208 or click the button below to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions
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No. It can be used with both children and adults. Whether therapy is suitable depends on the person’s presentation, ability to participate and any underlying airway, dental, structural or medical factors.
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Mouth breathing can have several causes. Therapy may help retrain breathing habits when nasal breathing is physically possible, but it cannot remove an airway obstruction. Medical or ENT assessment may be needed before or alongside therapy.
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Orofacial exercises may be used as a complementary component of care for some people with sleep-disordered breathing. They do not diagnose or independently treat obstructive sleep apnoea. Snoring, breathing pauses or ongoing sleep concerns should be assessed by an appropriately qualified medical professional.
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Tongue posture and oral movement patterns can influence the production of some speech sounds. Where speech assessment or treatment is required, we will recommend involvement from a speech pathologist.
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No. Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy does not move teeth or replace dental or orthodontic treatment. It may help address the muscle patterns and oral habits that interact with orthodontic care.
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We can assess oral movement and functional patterns, but the appearance of a lingual frenulum alone does not determine whether treatment or surgery is required. Where appropriate, we will collaborate with or refer to professionals experienced in functional oral assessment.
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This varies according to age, goals, underlying contributing factors, consistency of home practice and the complexity of the presentation. An estimated therapy plan will be discussed after assessment.
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Yes. Appointments establish the correct technique, but frequent repetition helps new movement patterns become more natural and automatic. Activities are designed to be short and manageable.
Is Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy Right for You or Your Child?
If you have noticed mouth breathing, unusual tongue posture, tongue thrust, persistent oral habits or difficulties with chewing and swallowing patterns, an initial assessment can help clarify what may be contributing and what support is appropriate.
Build better foundations for breathing, eating and everyday oral function.
Call or text Hunter Functional Health on 0466 074 208, or contact our team to arrange an Orofacial Myofunctional Assessment.
BOOK AN ASSESSMENT