Page 106 - South Mississippi Living - June, 2025

Mouth breathing, snoring, behavioral concerns, speech issues, restless sleep, drooling, teeth grinding, TMJ pain, sleep apnea. What do all of these issues have in common? They are all signs of orofacial myofunctional disorders (OMDs). OMDs are dysfunctions of the muscles in the face and mouth and can be treated by a neuromuscular therapy called Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT). Yes, we know, it’s quite a mouthful.
The human body is remarkable at figuring out how to function in order to survive, by any means possible – enter OMDs! Myofunctional disorders can be caused by numerous things, such as oral restrictions such as tongue and lip ties, chronic nasal obstruction, pacifier or finger sucking habits, congenital disorders, nail biting habits, etc. When these issues are present, our muscles adapt and begin to function improperly, causing a plethora
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of problems.
Among myofunctional disorders, the
most common sign is mouth breathing. Mouth breathing occurs due to nasal airway blockage. The nose is an amazing organ that warms and humidifies our air, filters allergens, and produces nitric oxide, a super gas that kills bacteria, viruses, fungi, mold, and parasites. While mouth breathing, none of these processes occur, leading to inflammation and frequent infections. Though some return to nasal breathing, oftentimes, mouth breathing becomes the norm.
Chronic mouth breathing in children causes an increased risk for several health issues including abnormal craniofacial growth, speech impediments, dental malocclusion, and sleep disordered breathing (SDB). SDB is a condition that is associated with an increased risk for poor academic performance, anxiety,
depression, ADD, and ADHD in children. Chronic mouth breathing in adults is
also associated with an increased risk for countless health conditions including
high blood pressure, gum disease, heart disease, and stroke.
So, what’s the moral of this story? Be proactive! Ensuring that your child has a healthy airway could change the trajectory of their life.
story courtesy of
the Gulf Coast Mom
Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy
www.thegulfcoastmom.com www.smliving.net | SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living