Curious to see if your child could benefit from Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy?

What is Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy?

About Hummingbird's Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy Program

What is Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT)?
OMT is an exercise and awareness program that works to re-establish the muscles of the mouth and face for optimal function. 

​GOALS
     1) Restore nasal breathing day and night 
     2) Correct lip seal
     3) Establish proper tongue rest posture 
     4) Correct swallow patterns
What are Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (OMDs)? OMDs occur when the muscles of the mouth or face are regularly used in an atypical way that interferes with normal growth, development, or function of the mouth and face.

​OMDs are a problem because they affect the growth and development of the bony structures (jaw, palate). Children may develop high palates and long narrow faces, putting them at risk for airway, feeding, and sleep disorders.
What are signs of OMDs?
OMDs signs/symptoms may include abnormal tongue and lip resting posture (mouth breathing), bruxism (teeth grinding), clenching, oral habits such as nail biting and thumb sucking or pacifier use, atypical chewing, tongue thrust swallow, sleep disordered breathing (snoring or sleep apnea), bed wetting (body is forced from sleep to wake triggers abnormal changes in natural brain signals triggering urination), feeding issues (picky eating), speech, and TMJ issues.
What causes OMDs?
OMDs may be caused by:
  • Airway restrictions (allergies, asthma, enlarged tonsils/adenoids, hypertrophied turbinates, deviated septum)
  • Sucking and biting habits
  • Extended sippy cup use
  • Prolonger soft food diet
  • Structural or physiological differences (tongue, lip, or buccal ties)
  • Hereditary predispositions   
What does OMT Treatment involve?
OMT under 5 years: 
The goal is prevention to ensure proper nasal breathing day/night, tongue rest position, and age appropriate feeding/oral motor and speech skills. 

Increasing complexity of food textures, offering open/straw cup, eliminating sucking habits, using horns, bubbles, chew tools, passive or simple active oral motor activities, and speech therapy can support development in young children. 
OMT 6 years and older: 
Programs can range from 12 weeks up, dependent on age, awareness, compliance, and progress. 
Exercises are individualized based on the need of each client.