What is myofunctional therapy?

You may have heard the term myofunctional therapy without knowing exactly what it involves. In short, it's a set of guided exercises for the muscles in your mouth and face, focused on how your tongue, lips and cheeks rest and move during breathing, swallowing and speaking. The exercises may be one part of a wider care plan based on the cause of your symptoms. 

What you will learn in this article: 

• Myofunctional therapy trains the muscles of the mouth and face through repeated exercises. 

• It may be used for concerns such as mouth breathing, tongue thrust or unusual swallowing patterns. 

• Research shows promise for some uses, but the therapy has not been proven to work for every person or condition. 

• Children should have an orthodontic check-up by age 7 so developing bite problems can be found early. 

If you notice mouth breathing, tongue thrust or bite concerns in yourself or your child, schedule an appointment with an Aspen Dental provider. Your care team can check your mouth muscles and bite, then point you toward the right next step. 

How does myofunctional therapy work? 

Myofunctional therapy is also called orofacial myofunctional therapy. It uses repeated movements to improve control of the tongue, lips, cheeks and jaw. A session may include practice with tongue placement, lip closure and breathing habits. You may also get exercises to do at home. 

The plan should match your symptoms and their cause. Myofunctional therapy does not replace care for a blocked airway, sleep disorder, tongue-tie, bite problem or another condition that may need separate treatment. 

What does myofunctional therapy treat? 

A 2025 scoping review examined 58 studies of myofunctional therapy. The studies covered mouth breathing, unusual swallowing, trouble keeping the lips closed, sucking habits, a low resting tongue position and tongue-tie. Some studies reported improvement, but the review found that there was not enough strong evidence to confirm how well the therapy works overall.¹ 

This means a dental provider should first look for the cause of the problem. Depending on what is found, myofunctional therapy may be used along with dental, orthodontic or medical care. 

Myofunctional therapy has also been studied as an add-on treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. A 2025 review of 15 controlled studies found improvements in sleepiness and snoring in adults. However, the main measure of breathing events did not show a clear overall improvement, and evidence in children was limited.² 

Sleep apnea needs a medical diagnosis and treatment plan. Do not use mouth exercises in place of care prescribed by a medical provider. 

How can mouth habits affect your bite? 

Oral habits and bite problems can be connected. Tongue thrust may be one reason the front teeth stick out. Genetics, missing or damaged teeth and gum disease can also play a part. A misaligned bite may raise the chance of cavities, gum problems, worn enamel or trouble chewing.³ 

Because several factors may be involved, you cannot tell the cause by looking at the teeth alone. An exam can help show whether a habit, tooth problem or jaw concern needs attention. 

When should a child see an orthodontist? 

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends an orthodontic check-up by age 7. This is around the time many children begin losing baby teeth. An early exam can find a developing problem and help determine whether treatment is needed, when it should begin and what form it may take.³ 

An early check-up does not always mean treatment will begin right away. Your child may only need to be watched as their permanent teeth come in. If your child is already older than 7, it is still worth scheduling an evaluation when you have concerns. 

What happens at a dental visit for this? 

Your dental provider will look at your teeth, jaw and bite. They may also ask about mouth breathing, tongue posture, swallowing, snoring or sleep. Based on the exam, they can explain whether you may need an orthodontic or medical evaluation before considering muscle exercises. 

Sudden bite changes, ongoing mouth breathing or a tooth that does not come in as expected are good reasons to get checked. You can also bring up these concerns during a routine cleaning. Ask your dental provider about guided biofilm therapy as a cleaning option while your care team checks your bite and gum health. 

If muscle habits, mouth breathing or a bite concern have you wondering what's going on, contact your local dental provider to get a full look at your mouth and a plan that fits your needs. 

What is myofunctional therapy? FAQs 

Still have questions about myofunctional therapy? These answers cover a few common concerns. 

Is myofunctional therapy only for kids? 

No. Both children and adults may be evaluated for myofunctional therapy. Whether it is a good fit depends on the symptoms, their cause and the person’s ability to practice the exercises. 

How long does myofunctional therapy usually take? 

There is no set timeline. It depends on your goals, the cause of the problem and how often you practice. Your dental provider can explain what to expect for your situation. 

What if my child missed the age 7 check-up? 

It is still worth scheduling an evaluation. The age 7 recommendation is meant to help find problems early, but older children and teens can also receive orthodontic care. 

What happens during a myofunctional therapy session? 

A trained dental provider guides you through exercises for your tongue, lips and cheeks. You may also receive exercises to practice at home. Ask what each exercise is meant to do and how often it should be practiced. 

Who provides myofunctional therapy? 

It should be provided by someone with specific training in myofunctional therapy. The right dental provider depends on the concern and local rules. They can check for dental causes and help you decide whether you also need orthodontic or medical care. 

Sources 

¹ National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, Canadian Journal of Dental Hygiene: “Effectiveness of orofacial myofunctional therapy in improving orofacial function and oral habits: a scoping review.” https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40166722/ 

² National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, Journal of Evidence-Based Dental Practice: “Efficacy of myofunctional therapy for obstructive sleep apnea: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.” https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40716836/ 

³ American Association of Orthodontists: “Tackling Teeth Troubles: Common Orthodontic Problems.” https://aaoinfo.org/resources/common-orthodontic-problems/