5 Signs Your Child Might Benefit from OMT

Many parents are unfamiliar with orofacial myofunctional therapy until a dentist, orthodontist, or speech therapist mentions it. Recognizing the signs that indicate your child might benefit from this specialized therapy can help you seek evaluation and treatment earlier.

Sign 1: Your Child Breathes Through Their Mouth

One of the most noticeable signs of potential orofacial myofunctional disorder is chronic mouth breathing. While everyone breathes through their mouth occasionally, such as during a cold or intense exercise, habitual mouth breathing at rest is a concern.

Look for these indicators: your child's lips are typically apart when they are not talking or eating, you can hear them breathing, they sleep with their mouth open, or they wake up with a dry mouth or bad breath.

Chronic mouth breathing can lead to a cascade of problems. It affects facial development, potentially leading to a longer, narrower face. It reduces the filtering and humidifying functions that nasal breathing provides. It can contribute to poor sleep quality and even behavioral issues related to fatigue.

Children who mouth breathe often develop a low, forward tongue posture because the tongue follows the airflow. This position can affect dental alignment and jaw development over time.

Sign 2: Visible Tongue Thrust When Swallowing

Tongue thrust, also called a reverse swallow pattern, occurs when the tongue pushes forward against or between the teeth during swallowing. In a mature swallow pattern, the tongue should press up against the roof of the mouth, not forward against the teeth.

You might notice tongue thrust when your child swallows food or drinks. The tongue may be visible pushing forward between the teeth or against the front teeth. Some children also show tongue thrust at rest, with the tongue sitting forward between the teeth even when not eating or speaking.

Tongue thrust creates ongoing pressure against the teeth that can push them out of alignment. This is particularly concerning for children in orthodontic treatment, as the tongue pressure can undo the work of braces. Orthodontists often refer patients for OMT specifically to address this pattern.

Sign 3: Speech Sound Errors That Persist

Certain speech sound errors can be related to orofacial myofunctional disorders. A lisp on sounds like "s" and "z" sometimes results from the tongue pushing forward during speech rather than staying behind the teeth.

If your child has received traditional speech therapy for articulation errors without significant improvement, underlying muscle function issues may be contributing to the problem. When the tongue, lips, or jaw are not functioning properly, it can be difficult to produce certain sounds correctly regardless of how much practice occurs.

Speech errors related to muscle function often respond well when OMT is combined with traditional articulation therapy. Addressing the underlying muscle patterns creates a foundation for proper sound production.

Sign 4: Messy Eating or Difficulty Chewing

Children with orofacial myofunctional disorders sometimes struggle with eating. You might notice your child is a messy eater, has food falling out of their mouth, or has difficulty chewing food thoroughly.

These eating difficulties can stem from weak lip closure, poor tongue coordination, or improper chewing patterns. Some children compensate by swallowing food in large pieces, avoiding certain textures, or taking an unusually long time to finish meals.

While picky eating has many causes, difficulty with the mechanical aspects of eating can contribute to food aversions. When chewing and swallowing are effortful, children may avoid foods that require more oral motor work, such as meats or raw vegetables.

Sign 5: Prolonged Thumb Sucking or Pacifier Use

Oral habits like thumb sucking and pacifier use are normal in infancy and early toddlerhood. However, when these habits continue past age three or four, they can begin to affect the development of the mouth and teeth.

Prolonged sucking habits can lead to changes in the dental arch, creating an open bite where the front teeth do not meet, or pushing the front teeth forward. These habits also reinforce low tongue posture and improper swallowing patterns.

OMT can help children break these habits while simultaneously retraining the tongue and oral muscles to function properly. Simply stopping the habit without addressing the underlying muscle patterns often leads to continued problems or the habit returning.

What To Do If You Notice These Signs

If you recognize one or more of these signs in your child, an evaluation by a certified orofacial myofunctional therapist can provide clarity. The evaluation will assess your child's oral muscle function, breathing patterns, swallowing, and any habits that may be contributing to concerns.

Not every child who shows one of these signs needs OMT. Sometimes what appears to be a concern resolves on its own as the child grows. A thorough evaluation distinguishes between normal variations and patterns that would benefit from treatment.

Early identification and intervention often lead to better outcomes. Muscle patterns become more ingrained over time, making them harder to change. Addressing orofacial myofunctional disorders before or during orthodontic treatment can prevent setbacks and improve long-term stability.

The Path Forward

Recognizing the signs of potential orofacial myofunctional disorders is the first step toward helping your child. Whether the issue is mouth breathing, tongue thrust, persistent speech errors, eating difficulties, or prolonged oral habits, OMT offers evidence-based treatment to address these concerns.

Talk to your child's dentist, orthodontist, or pediatrician about your observations. These professionals can provide referrals to certified OMT providers who can evaluate your child and recommend appropriate treatment when needed.