Myofunctional
Therapy
What is myofunctional therapy?
Myofunctional therapy is a series of simple, quick exercises that strengthen the tongue and facial muscles to correct improper muscle function. The focus of the therapy exercises is on optimizing the tongue’s resting position, chewing and swallowing, and continuing emphasis on strengthening.
The goals of myofunctional therapy are to promote better health, reduce any pain, improve breathing, and enhance your overall quality of life.
Meet our myofunctional therapist.
Courtney Krei, RDH, OMT
Courtney grew up in Nebraska and received her Bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene from the University of Nebraska Medical Center-College of Dentistry in 2007. After moving to Denver from Lincoln in 2017, she has taken advantage of living close to the mountains by getting out and hiking as much as she can! She is still working on the skiing…
Courtney and Dr. Turner have a similar philosophy on health and finding the root cause of a problem! If that means finding the root cause of gum disease, or the root cause of breathing and sleeping poorly, we are here to help!
“After being a hygienist for so long, I’m so grateful to be able expand my scope with myofunctional therapy. I have learned so much the last few months and have become very passionate about it all. I’m excited to work with people in by helping them breathe, sleep, and ultimately live better!"
Symptoms of a myofunctional disorder include having trouble with:
- Breastfeeding
- Chewing
- Swallowing
- Speech
- Occlusion
- Temporomandibular joint movement
- Oral hygiene
- Stability of orthodontic treatment
- Facial esthetics
When is myofunctional therapy needed?
Myofunctional therapy is a way to correct improper function of the tongue and facial muscles. It is a non-invasive way to treat ailments such as:
Tongue Thrust
A tongue thrust is a disorder where the tongue is in a forward position, even during rest, and when the tongue thrusts against or between the teeth when speaking and swallowing. To learn more about tongue thrust, read this article:
Lisps
A lisp is a common type of speech impediment from the incorrect placement of the tongue during the production of certain sounds. Some lisps are prevalent at birth and others show up over time.
Tongue-Ties and Lip-Ties
A tongue-tie or lip-tie can impact feeding, speaking, sleeping, chronic pain, and a whole host of other issues! They can be assessed in all ages if symptoms are present, from infancy to adulthood. To learn more about tongue-ties and lip-ties, read these resources here:
Snoring and Sleep Apnea
Sleep and breathing impacts not only fatigue, but your entire health. Snoring and sleep apnea are two common sleep issues that need attention and treatment so that you can find rest and relief. Learn more about snoring and sleep apnea by reading these resources:
Swallowing and Chewing Issues
The muscles of your face, throat, and tongue work together to help you swallow and chew food. Swallowing and chewing incorrectly can affect the way your face develops.
Open Bites
Although rare, open bites can cause problems with chewing and swallowing. They can be caused by tongue thrust, thumb-sucking, or TMJ, and can be treated with myofunctional therapy as a way to realign the bite.
Mouth Breathing
Breathing through the mouth, with lips parted and a forward posture, can cause many health issues. It can affect facial growth and development, causing crooked teeth and a crowded mouth.
Myofunctional therapy addresses the root cause of each of these issues and trains the the face and tongue muscles to function as they should. To learn more about myofunctional therapy, read these resources here: 1. Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders: Examples and 2. Myofunctional Therapy Resources & Exercises.
Interested in learning more?
We believe that you should be educated about the benefits of myofunctional therapy so that your needs can be met in the best way possible.