What are Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (OMD)?
Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (OMD) are atypical behaviors and patterns created by the misuse of muscles of the mouth and face. When evaluating a child or adult for possible OMD, the Orofacial Myofunctional Therapist is looking at both the structure (i.e. tongue, lip, jaw, soft palate, etc.) and the function of the oral cavity.
What can cause OMD?
What are some signs and symptoms of OMD in young children?
What can Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy address?
What other professionals might be involved when addressing OMD?
What can cause OMD?
- functional airway obstructions (i.e. enlarged tonsils and adenoids)
- deviated septum
- sinus infections
- allergies
- asthma
- sleep disordered breathing
What are some signs and symptoms of OMD in young children?
- open mouth posture and audible breathing
- restricted lip, tongue, or cheek frenula - also known as Tethered Oral Tissues (TOTs)
- noxious habits (see below)
- nighttime breathing habits such as not sleeping through the night, nighttime teeth grinding, and enuresis
- airway obstructions including sinus congestion, enlarged tonsils and adenoids, and tongue falling into the airway
- difficulty with chewing and swallowing including picky, messy, and noisy eating
- difficulties with open cup and/or straw drinking
- drooling/poor saliva management after age 2
- dentition observed to have overjet, open bite, or under bite
- speech sound distortions
- Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMJ/TMD)
What can Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy address?
- swallowing
- mouth breathing
- speech
- drooling
- tongue thrust
- tongue tie or other structural changes impacting functioning of orofacial structures
- noxious/harmful habits such as:
- thumb/finger/tongue sucking
- prolonged use of pacifier (beyond 12 months)
- prolonged use of sippy cups (beyond 18 months)
- chewing on inedible objects
- shirt, blanket, straws, pencils, pens, fingernails, etc.
What other professionals might be involved when addressing OMD?
- Pediatrician
- Feeding Specialist
- Speech-Language Pathologist
- Occupational Therapist
- Physical Therapist
- Allergist
- ENT
- Functional Dentist
- Oromaxillofacial Surgeon
- Craniosacral Therapist
- Chiropractor
Call Enhancing Communication, LLC to learn more or to ask whether your child might benefit from a formal Orofacial Myofunctional Evaluation.