What is Orofacial Myology?

Orofacial Myology is a special type of therapy that helps with problems in the muscles of the face and mouth. It looks at how these muscles work and helps fix issues with how they move, rest, or grow. Some of these problems can make it harder to breathe, eat, or speak properly. This therapy also helps with habits like thumb-sucking that can affect the way the mouth and teeth grow.

  • Orofacial means the muscles and parts of the face and mouth.
  • Myology is the study of how muscles work and stay in the right position.

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What is normal orofacial function?

  • Breathe through your nose all day and night.
  • Keep your teeth together, with the top teeth slightly over the bottom teeth.
  • The tongue should be resting with the tip touching just behind your top
    teeth.
  • Your tongue should move easily in all directions—up, down, side to side, and
    against the roof of your mouth—without needing to move your jaw.
  • Keep your lips closed, and make sure your tongue stays inside your mouth
    while chewing and swallowing.

What is Orofacial myofunctional disorders (OMDs)?

Orofacial myofunctional disorders happen when the muscles of the face and mouth do not work the way they should. These issues can make it harder for a person to eat, speak, or breathe properly. They can also affect how the face and mouth grow and develop over time. Some common signs of OMDs include trouble swallowing, breathing through the mouth instead of the nose, or having the tongue in the wrong position when resting or speaking. Treatment can help improve muscle function.

What causes OMD’s?

Some things that can affect how you breathe, and how your mouth and face growth,
and function include:

  • The tongue resting low in the mouth
  • Trouble chewing food properly
  • Pushing the tongue forward while swallowing
  • Tight tissues in the mouth that limit movement, such as tongue and lip ties
  • Blocked nose or airways that make breathing harder
  • Allergies that affect breathing and swallowing
  • Problems with the way the teeth and jaw fit together
  • A small or narrow roof of the mouth
  • Differences in the shape of the head or face
  • Using pacifiers or sippy cups
  • Thumb-sucking
  • Injuries to the face or mouth

How can a Speech Pathologist help?

Speech pathologists play a crucial role in helping people with Orofacial Myology Disorder (OMD). Assessment and Diagnosis:

  • Comprehensive Evaluation: Speech pathologists conduct a thorough evaluation to assess the patient’s oral, facial, and muscle patterns, including tongue posture, lip closure, jaw alignment, and breathing patterns.
  • Identification of Associated Issues: Speech pathologists check for secondary issues that may arise from OMD, including airway impacts, speech difficulties (articulation), difficulty with feeding.
  • Functional Assessment: They evaluate how OMD affects daily functions such as chewing, swallowing, speaking, and breathing, identifying any areas of concern.

Treatment Planning

Individualised Treatment Plans: Speech pathologists design personalised treatment plans tailored to the specific needs of the individual, targeting both the oral-facial muscles and any functional issues related to OMD.

Therapy Techniques

Oral-Motor Exercises: Speech pathologists utilise specific exercises to strengthen and retrain the muscles of the face, tongue, lips, and jaw. These exercises help to improve muscle function.

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