What Is Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy — and How It Can Help You
Written by Alicia Proper OMT - Published on Aug 17, 2025
Key Takeaways
- Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT) is like physical therapy for the head, neck, jaw, and airway, designed to restore optimal muscle balance and function.
- It helps correct dysfunctional habits like mouth breathing, low tongue posture, and poor swallowing mechanics — which can contribute to sleep apnea and snoring, jaw pain/clicking/locking, and orthodontic relapse.
- Harvard and Stanford research shows that targeted oral exercises can significantly improve airway stability and reduce symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing.
- At Oral-Facial Advantage in Ottawa, therapy programs are tailored to your needs, with a free 45-minute consultation to determine if OMT is right for you.
A Trusted Approach Backed by Research
“Orofacial myofunctional therapy is a promising, non-invasive intervention for improving airway patency [flow capacity] and reducing obstructive events in sleep-disordered breathing.”
— Harvard Medical School, Division of Sleep Medicine, 2021
Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy works because it targets the root of many oral and airway issues — muscle function. Just as physical therapy can improve the way your body moves, OMT re-trains the delicate and powerful muscles in your mouth, tongue, and face to work in harmony.
When these muscles are weak, imbalanced, or used incorrectly, they can trigger a chain reaction:
- Narrowed airway during sleep
- Strain in the jaw, neck, and shoulders
- Altered facial growth and symmetry from childhood through adulthood
- Teeth shifting back after braces
- Chronic headaches or fatigue
- Jaw clicking, locking, limited movement, pain, or discomfort
How Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy Works — Step by Step
OMT is delivered in a structured, progressive program. At Oral-Facial Advantage, therapy follows a clear roadmap:
- We evaluate tongue posture, lip strength, breathing patterns, swallow function, and muscle tone.
- Digital photos and videos track changes over time.
2. Foundational Skills
- Lips closed, teeth slightly apart for relaxed jaw posture.
- Nasal breathing for optimal oxygen and nitric oxide balance.
3. Progressive Strengthening
- Gradual introduction of functional tasks — chewing, swallowing, and sleeping with correct muscle engagement/relaxation.
4. Integration into Daily Life
- Subconscious re-trained habits for maintaining results long-term.
Why Muscle Function Matters for Health
“Small changes in the position and tone of the tongue can dramatically alter airflow during sleep.”
— Stanford University, Department of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery
“Orofacial myofunctional therapy helps restore natural muscle coordination, supports proper tongue posture, and reduces the strain on the temporomandibular joint…, contributing to better jaw alignment, reduced muscle fatigue, and enhanced overall function.”
— Key Osteopaths, Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy: A Comprehensive Guide to Optimizing Jaw Function, Breathing, and Swallowing
Your tongue, lips, and facial muscles do far more than help you eat and speak. They influence:
Airway width and stability — In children, proper tongue posture helps guide jaw and palate growth, supporting a wider, more stable airway. In adults, balanced tongue function helps maintain airway openness—especially during sleep—reducing the risk of collapse or obstruction.
Jaw alignment — In children, well-coordinated orofacial muscles support proper jaw growth and positioning. In adults, balanced muscle activity helps maintain a comfortable, stable jaw position, reducing strain on the joints and surrounding structures.
Breathing efficiency — Proper nasal breathing filters, warms, and humidifies the air; it also increases nitric oxide levels in the nasal passages, which supports better oxygen uptake, helps lower blood pressure, and has natural antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Facial structure — In children, healthy orofacial muscle function supports balanced jaw growth and symmetrical facial development. In adults, it helps maintain proper jaw position, supports skin tone, and preserves soft tissue balance, which can improve facial symmetry and reduce strain on surrounding structures.
Conditions Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy Can Support
- Snoring & Sleep Apnea – Reduced AHI [Apnea–Hypopnea Index is a sleep study measurement that shows how many times per hour your breathing stops completely (apnea) or is partially blocked (hypopnea).] scores by up to 50% in some studies (read more here)
- Mouth Breathing – Transitioning to nasal breathing to improve oxygen levels and reduce airway irritation (learn more).
- TMJ Pain & Jaw Dysfunction – Balancing jaw muscles, especially the lateral pterygoid, to reduce clicks and tension (see our TMJ blog).
- Orthodontic Relapse – Helping teeth stay aligned after braces or aligners (read the orthodontic relapse blog).
- Chronic Headaches – Relieving muscle tension in the jaw, face, temples, and neck.
- Posture-Related Discomfort – Correcting forward head posture linked to poor oral muscle tone, and breathing dysfunction.
What to Expect at Oral-Facial Advantage Ottawa
Your journey begins with a free 45-minute consultation, where we:
- Discuss your concerns and health history.
- Be heard. See how OMT can support you.
If you proceed, we start with a 2-hour new patient exam for detailed measurements, records, and program setup.
Therapy sessions typically occur every 2–3 weeks. Most programs last 13 to 20 months, but lasting improvements often appear within the first 2-5 months.
Start Your Journey
Better breathing, deeper sleep, reduced pain — it all starts with healthy muscle function.
📍 Serving Ottawa and surrounding areas, Oral-Facial Advantage offers a free 45-minute consultation so you can explore whether OMT is right for you.
FAQ
Q: Is it suitable for kids?
Yes. Early intervention can guide facial growth, support orthodontics, and prevent future airway issues (see children’s therapy benefits).
Q: How soon will I notice changes?
Many patients feel improvements in breathing, comfort, or sleep within the first few months.
References
- Harvard Medical School, Division of Sleep Medicine. Oral Myofunctional Therapy and Sleep-Disordered Breathing, 2021.
- Stanford University School of Medicine. The Role of Tongue Posture in Airway Stability, 2020.
- Huang Y, et al. “Orofacial myofunctional therapy for treatment of sleep-disordered breathing: A systematic review and meta-analysis.” Sleep Medicine Reviews, 2020.
- Guilleminault C, et al. “Myofunctional therapy to treat upper airway resistance syndrome and obstructive sleep apnea.” Sleep Medicine, 2013.
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