When it comes to your child’s oral development, straight teeth and an aligned bite are only part of the picture. Your child’s oral habits (the way your child breathes, where their tongue rests, and how their oral muscles function every day) is also important for development. How the muscles of the face, mouth, and throat all work together can signal whether early orthodontic support or myofunctional therapy is needed. In this blog, we’re discussing myofunctional health and the seven signs every parent should look for that may indicate whether or not your child needs myofunctional therapy.  

At Hatcher & Frey Orthodontics, we believe excellent care goes beyond alignment and facial aesthetics. The way the teeth, jaws, tongue, lips, and airway work together can influence facial growth, bite development, and long-term function. If your child has difficulties with any of these facial features or functions, myofunctional therapy may be beneficial.

What Is Myofunctional Therapy?

According to Cleveland Clinic, myofunctional therapy is a form of physical therapy that “trains muscles in your mouth and face to move in ways that support proper eating, breathing, swallowing and more.” Myofunctional therapy (orofacial myofunctional therapy or OMT) helps improve the way the muscles of the mouth and face function when they are out of balance.  

It focuses on healthy patterns for:

• Breathing
• Swallowing
• Chewing
• Tongue posture
• Lip posture

In growing children, these habits matter. If the tongue rests low in the mouth, the lips stay open at rest, or mouth breathing becomes regular, development of the jaws and dental arches can be impacted over time.

The relationship between the teeth, jaws, tongue, lips, and airway plays a critical role, along with genetics, in facial growth, bite development, and overall function. When these areas are not working together properly, myofunctional therapy can help guide healthier patterns and support your child’s development.

Myofunctional therapy does not replace orthodontics, but orthodontic therapy can work alongside myofunctional treatment to help support better, healthier oral function.

7 Signs Your Child May Need Myofunctional Therapy

Not every child with one of the below habits or facial features will need therapy, but these are common indicators that a more complete evaluation may be helpful. 

1. Mouth breathing: Children should ideally breathe through their nose at rest. Chronic mouth breathing can be associated with altered facial growth, dry mouth, poor tongue posture, and disrupted sleep. 
2. Low tongue posture: The tongue should rest gently against the roof of the mouth. When it rests low, it may not provide the natural support needed for healthy arch development.
3. Tongue thrust: If the tongue pushes against or between the teeth during swallowing or speaking, it can contribute to open bites, spacing, and instability after orthodontic treatment.
4. Difficulty keeping lips closed at rest: Lips that stay parted may suggest an issue with oral posture, muscle tone, or nasal breathing.   
5. Prolonged thumb sucking or pacifier use: These habits can influence palate shape, tooth position, and bite development, even after the habit has stopped.
6. Speech concerns: Some speech differences can be connected to tongue posture or oral muscle function.
7. Snoring or restless sleep: Noisy breathing, snoring, or poor-quality sleep may be signs that breathing patterns deserve a closer look.

One of the biggest shifts in modern orthodontics is the recognition that function matters just as much as appearance. Teeth do not develop in isolation. They are part of a complex system that includes the jaws, muscles, tongue, and airway. At Hatcher & Frey, our digital orthodontic tools help us to see the full picture. This allows us to make informed adjustments to ensure oral development is heading in the right direction.

Why Early Evaluation Matters

Parents are sometimes told to wait until more adult teeth come in before scheduling an orthodontic visit. At Hatcher & Frey, we believe every child should come in for a free, early orthodontic evaluation starting at 7 years old. That way, if a child is showing signs like mouth breathing, tongue thrust, snoring, or any of the indicators presented in the previous section, you can discuss them with your orthodontist and get a referral to myofunctional therapy if necessary.

Early evaluation does not (usually) mean early treatment. It means understanding:

• What is developing normally?
• What may need monitoring?
• Whether the function is affecting growth.
• Whether early intervention could help.

The Hatcher & Frey Difference

As the #1 Invisalign Provider in Hampton Roads, Hatcher & Frey Orthodontics is known for an established reputation on the cutting-edge for orthodontic care, but our philosophy goes far beyond aligners.

Our goal is to support healthy development with a plan that is thoughtful and individualized. We want you and your family to love their smiles and display them proudly. Schedule a free consultation today and begin your smile journey.

Is your child 6 years old or younger? Check out our Smile Squad and learn about how early screenings and education can set your child up for orthodontic success!If your child is 7 or older, schedule a free orthodontic evaluation.