Orofacial Myology
What is Orofacial Myology?
Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (OMDs) are disorders of the muscles and functions of the face and mouth.
OMDs are caused by abnormal movement patterns of the face and mouth.
Children, teenagers and adults may suffer from OMDs.
OMDs may interfere with normal growth and development of the muscles and bones of the face and mouth and how they may be used for eating, talking and breathing.
What are the signs of an Orofacial Myofunctional Disorder (OMD)?
- Someone who almost always breathes through the mouth or has difficulty breathing through the nose.
- Limited tongue strength and movement.
- Difficulty closing lips and keeping lips closed.
- Messy or difficult eating.
- Overbite, underbite, open bite and/or other dental problems.
- Tongue pushing past teeth, even when a person is not talking or using their tongue.
- Speech problems such as incorrect production of ‘s’ ‘z’ ‘n’ ‘l’ ‘d’ ‘t’ sounds. This may sound like a lisp, as the tongue is sitting forward and between the teeth.
- Difficulties with managing saliva/excessive drooling beyond age 2.
What is ‘tongue thrust'?
Tongue thrust is a term used to describe a method of swallowing, where the tongue pushes forward against or between the front teeth.
All babies will swallow this way, but as their mouth grows and develops, so too should their swallow pattern. Sometimes, however, due to physical factors like weak muscles or jaw structure, this immature swallowing pattern continues into childhood, or sometimes adulthood and will persist unless steps are taken to address the issue.
A tongue thrust can cause changes to teeth structures and can result in speech problems. This commonly presents as a ‘lisp’ where the tongue protrudes between the teeth when the person says ‘s’ and ‘z’ sounds. A lisp is considered to be a type of speech sound error.
A tongue thrust may also affect the success of orthodontic treatment. For example, if a tongue thrust is not addressed prior to braces being removed, the teeth may return to their original position if they are still being impacted by the tongue pressing forward.
Speech pathologists can help people to change their tongue’s movement pattern so that the tongue stays within the mouth when swallowing or making ‘s’ and ‘z’ sounds. This is a little bit like physiotherapy, but for your mouth!
What causes an Orofacial Myofunctional Disorder?
There are many different symptoms that are felt to contribute to an Orofacial Myofunctional Disorder including:
- Upper airway obstruction because of enlarged tonsils or adenoids, deviated septum, nasal polyps or sinus infections.
- Genetic and skeletal factors such as the size and/or shape of a child’s or adult’s mouth, jaw, palate and face and arrangement/number of teeth.
- Lip and tongue habits such as mouth breathing.
- Chronic oral habits such as sucking or chewing a dummy, finger/thumb or blanket past the age of 3 years.
- Neurological, structural, muscular or physiological abnormalities such as down syndrome or cleft lip/palate.
How do speech pathologists support people with OMDs?
Specially-trained speech pathologists can provide orofacial myology therapy. Our program at Box Hill Speech Pathology is typically an 8-session program. Depending on the severity of the OMD, the course of the program can vary. The program runs as weekly or fortnightly sessions and can be performed in-clinic or on telehealth. The program is also designed to be applied pre- and post-frenectomy (tongue-tie removal).
Orofacial myology therapy involves:
- Retraining the function, and improving the strength and movement, of the tongue, teeth, lips and jaw to address disorders which directly impact speech, dentition, chewing, swallowing, tongue positioning and nasal breathing.
- Implementation of tools and strategies to support adequate lingual, labial and mandibular function.
- Liaising with other relevant professionals such as the client’s orthodontist, dentist or Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) specialist.
Orofacial Myofunctional Disorder (OMD) Explained
At Box Hill Speech Pathology, we believe in offering a range of evidence-based treatment options for both children and adults.
Please head to our contact page for more information or call 9899 5494 to book an initial consultation.