Oral Myofunctional Disorders
Oral Myofunctional disorders are abnormal muscle movements of the tongue, lips, or jaw when a person smiles, swallows, talks or even when their muscles are at rest. When we have dysfunction or weakness in any area, it often means that other muscles are having to be recruited to do the work of the tongue. Though our facial and mouth muscles should be able to work in harmony together, misusing our muscles or using the wrong muscles can lead to some life long complications.
Oral Myofunctional disorders can be caused by various things such as:
1. Bottle use
2. Pacifier or thumb/finger sucking habits
3. Tongue or lip ties
4. Airway obstructions
5. Lip biting
Signs of Oral Myofunctional Dysfunction
Mouth Breathing
Open Mouth during the day or night
Tongue thrusting forward when speaking or swallowing
Snoring
Sleep Disordered breathing/Apnea
Messy eating
Tension in the neck and shoulders
Headaches
Jaw Pain
Choking when swallowing
Dental Malocclusion
