The Importance of Addressing Myofunctional Disorders: A Guide for Parents

Myofunctional disorders (MFDs) are becoming increasingly recognized as a significant issue affecting children today. These disorders can have profound implications on a child's development, health, and quality of life. Understanding the symptoms, benefits of early intervention, and available services is crucial for parents concerned about their child's well-being.

What are Myofunctional Disorders?

Myofunctional disorders refer to dysfunctions in the muscles of the mouth and face that can affect breathing, chewing, swallowing, and even speech. These disorders arise from abnormal patterns of muscle function. Common causes include improper tongue posture, mouth breathing, and habits like thumb sucking or prolonged pacifier use. Addressing these issues early on can have a lasting impact on a child's health.

Close-up view of a child with their mouth slightly open, showing a typical mouth-breathing posture — An open mouth and low-resting tongue posture are symptoms of myofunctional disorders.

Symptoms of Myofunctional Disorders

Recognizing the symptoms of myofunctional disorders is essential for timely intervention. Some common signs to watch for include:

Mouth Breathing: Children who primarily breathe through their mouths may display this symptom. This can lead to other health issues like snoring, teeth grinding, bed wetting, enlarged tonsils and adenoids, behaviors, ADHD and attention deficit symptoms or sleep apnea.
Incorrect Tongue Posture: A tongue that rests at the bottom of the mouth instead of the roof can lead to dental and speech problems. The correct resting posture should be the tongue resting at the top with the tongue tip and sides slightly suctioned to the top palate within the top molars.
Swallowing Difficulties: Abnormal swallowing patterns can affect nutrition and health. Babies are born with a tongue thrust swallowing pattern in order to suckle and efficiently take milk from a breast or bottle. By two years old, the tongue thrust (forward) swallowing pattern should be gone and the tongue should evolve into an up and back pattern to efficiently manage solid foods. If your child's swallowing pattern doesn't automatically change, we can strengthen the tongue and oral musculature with exercises in order to train a correct swallowing pattern.
Prolonged use of a pacifier or thumb-sucking: These habits promote a tongue thrust swallowing pattern, lisps in speech sounds, and a bottom resting posture. It is recommended for children to be weaned from these oral habits by age one year old.
Speech Delays: Children may exhibit unclear speech or a lisp where the tongue protrudes between the teeth or out of the mouth for the /S/ sound. This is developmentally atypical and will not revise on its own, at any age, without skilled intervention of myofunctional therapy.

By being aware of these symptoms, parents can take proactive steps to address any concerns with their child's healthcare provider.

Benefits of Early Intervention

Intervening early in myofunctional disorders can be life-changing for children. Here are several key benefits of getting help sooner rather than later:

Improved Oral Health: Addressing MFDs can help prevent future dental issues such as misalignment of teeth or jaw.
Enhanced Speech Development: Early intervention can improve clarity in speech and language skills, making communication easier for children.
Better Behavioral Outcomes: Children struggling with MFDs often face challenges in school or social situations. By addressing these issues early, children can experience improved outcomes both socially and academically.
Increased Self-esteem: As children begin to communicate more effectively and experience fewer health issues, their confidence and self-esteem can significantly improve.

It is essential for parents to recognize that specialized support is available.

Collaboration with Professionals

At Inspire Therapy Collective, we understand that addressing myofunctional disorders requires a collaborative approach. That's why we work closely with local orthodontists and airway-focused dentists. This collaboration helps us provide comprehensive care tailored to each child's needs. If the tongue is resting on the bottom, the tongue is not naturally expanding the top palate which results in a narrow and high-vaulted top palate. Typically palate expansion is recommended if the tongue does not have the physical space in order to rest in the top palate. This expansion can begin at age 3 with an airway focused orthodontist.

By collaborating with other specialists, we can ensure that every aspect of your child's health is considered. Whether it's correcting dental issues, improving airway function, or enhancing speech, our team is committed to addressing myofunctional disorders holistically.

Wide angle view of a pediatric dental office focused on dental care practices — We have a local network of airway focused dentists and holistic orthodontists we collaborate with and refer to

Recognizing the Need for Professional Help

As a parent, you might wonder when to seek professional support. If you notice any of the symptoms mentioned earlier, it's essential to consult with a trained professional who specializes in myofunctional disorders. Children aged from birth to three, myofunctional therapy utilizes age-appropriate and skill-appropriate foods to strengthen and tone the oral musculature. Children aged 4 years old and up can participate in tongue, lip, and jaw strengthening activities and exercises to strengthen and coordinate the oral musculature to acheive correct resting posture. Working together, we can create a plan that meets your child’s specific needs.

Remember that even minor concerns can lead to significant challenges down the road. Don’t hesitate to reach out for advice if you suspect your child may have a myofunctional disorder.

How Inspire Therapy Collective Can Help

Inspire Therapy Collective offers specialized assessments and tailored intervention plans for children exhibiting signs of myofunctional disorders. Our dedicated team of professionals will assess your child’s individual needs and work alongside you to create a balanced treatment approach.

We believe in empowering parents with knowledge and practical tools to support their children's development. Together, we’ll work on effective strategies that can improve your child’s health, speech, and overall well-being.

Eye-level view of a treatment session where a child is engaged in myofunctional therapy — An eye-level view of a therapy session focused on myofunctional treatment for children.

For parents looking for a comprehensive solution, our partnership with local orthodontists and airway-focused dentists ensures that your child receives holistic care. We have a thumb-sucking and pacifier elimination program to find the root of the habit and replace it with another sensory-satisfying solution. With a combined approach, we can effectively address myofunctional disorders and promote better health outcomes.

Taking the Next Step

If you are concerned about your child’s development and suspect myofunctional disorders may be a factor, taking action is crucial. Schedule a consultation with Inspire Speech Rehab. By advocating for your child's health and seeking help early, you give them a better chance at leading a healthier, happier life.

Understanding the importance of addressing myofunctional disorders can empower you as a parent. With the right support, you can make a significant difference in your child’s overall well-being.

By creating awareness and encouraging early intervention, we can help children achieve their full potential in health, speech, and confidence. Together, let’s inspire a brighter future for our children!

Learn more about our services here.