Retraining the Muscles That Shape Your Breathing, Swallow, and Smile
Your tongue’s resting position, the way you swallow, and whether you breathe through your nose or mouth are not random habits — they are neuromuscular patterns that influence jaw growth, tooth alignment, airway patency, and even facial appearance. When those patterns are dysfunctional, the consequences show up as crooked teeth, sleep problems, TMJ pain, and orthodontic relapse. Maryland Holistic Dentistry offers myofunctional therapy to identify and correct these patterns in both children and adults.
What Is an Orofacial Myofunctional Disorder?
An orofacial myofunctional disorder (OMD) is a pattern of abnormal muscle function involving the tongue, lips, cheeks, or jaw. These patterns often develop in early childhood and can persist undetected into adulthood. Examples include:
- Tongue thrust: the tongue pushes against or between the teeth during swallowing or at rest
- Low tongue posture: the tongue rests on the floor of the mouth instead of the palate
- Chronic mouth breathing: lips are apart at rest and breathing defaults to the oral pathway
- Abnormal swallowing mechanics: facial muscles strain visibly during swallowing
- Lip incompetence: the lips do not seal without conscious effort
What Myofunctional Therapy Involves
Treatment consists of a structured, progressive series of exercises — think physical therapy for the face and tongue. Each program is built around the patient’s specific dysfunction.
- Baseline evaluation of tongue posture, swallow pattern, lip seal, and breathing pathway
- Individualized exercise prescription targeting identified dysfunctions
- Regular coaching sessions (in-office and/or virtual) to advance difficulty and monitor progress
- Daily home practice — typically 10–15 minutes — between appointments
- Re-evaluation at milestones to confirm new patterns are becoming automatic
Conditions Myofunctional Therapy Supports
- Snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (as adjunctive treatment)
- TMJ/TMD — particularly cases driven by clenching, abnormal jaw posture, or muscle imbalance
- Orthodontic preparation and relapse prevention
- Recovery after tongue tie or lip tie release
- Persistent thumb sucking or pacifier habits in children
- Speech and articulation issues related to tongue mobility or placement
This work dovetails with our airway and sleep programs, creating a unified approach to functional oral health.
For Children and Adults
In children, myofunctional therapy can guide palatal development, improve nasal breathing, reduce orthodontic treatment time, and address habits that would otherwise create lasting structural effects. In adults, it helps reduce apnea severity, stabilize orthodontic results, relieve TMJ tension, and improve head and neck posture.
The Myofunctional Team
Our therapists hold specialized credentials in orofacial myology and collaborate with the broader clinical team — including airway specialists, orthodontists, and sleep physicians. The practice is led by Dr. Gena Schultheis, DDS.
Who We See
Patients come from Crownsville, Annapolis, Dunkirk, Severna Park, Gambrills, Bowie, and surrounding communities. Virtual follow-up sessions are also available for patients who live further afield.
Myofunctional Therapy FAQs
How long is a typical program?
Most programs run 3–6 months, with sessions every 2–4 weeks. Duration depends on the severity and number of dysfunctions being addressed, and on the patient’s consistency with home exercises.
Are the exercises difficult?
No. They are simple, gentle, and progressive. The challenge is consistency, not intensity. Most patients incorporate them into their morning or bedtime routine.
My child just had a tongue tie released. Do they need myofunctional therapy?
In most cases, yes. Releasing the tissue creates the potential for new movement patterns, but the muscles need active retraining to take advantage of that new range of motion. Without therapy, old habits tend to return.
Can myofunctional therapy replace orthodontics?
It is not a substitute for braces or aligners, but it addresses the muscular forces that cause or contribute to malocclusion. Done before or alongside orthodontic treatment, it can improve outcomes and reduce relapse risk.
Is this covered by insurance?
Coverage is inconsistent. Some medical plans cover myofunctional therapy, particularly when linked to a sleep apnea or TMD diagnosis. We provide the documentation needed for you to submit claims.
Begin Your Assessment
A functional evaluation takes less than an hour and can reveal patterns you did not know were holding you back. Reach out through our contact page or call:
- Maryland Holistic Dentistry (Crownsville): (410) 923-2586
- Maryland Tongue Tie Center: (410) 923-2586
- Calvert Smiles (Dunkirk): (410) 257-7200