One of the treatments Dr. William Harrell may recommend to improve your oral function and quality of life is myofunctional therapy. Myofunctional therapy is designed to improve your ability to perform daily actions such as breathing, chewing and swallowing by correcting the movements and function of your tongue and facial muscles.
This type of treatment may be recommended to correct a wide range of issues, including:
- Airway obstruction (such as that which causes sleep apnea)
- Bruxism (chronic teeth grinding and clenching)
- Chronic fatigue
- Facial grimace
- Forward head posture
- Lisps and other speech impediments
- Long face syndrome
- Mouth breathing
- Thumb and finger sucking
- Orthodontic relapse
- TMJ disorders
- Tongue thrusting or other abnormal tongue positions
Myofunctional therapy involves a series of easy, painless exercises customized to your individual needs. These exercises encourage you to breathe properly through your nose, chew and swallow correctly and create a lip seal. When provided for young children, myofunctional therapy also encourages proper oral and skeletal growth and development, which in turn prevents a number of dental and orofacial problems from occurring, and reduces your child’s need for future treatments. When practiced regularly, myofunctional exercises will help you achieve a healthy and properly aligned teeth and facial structure so that you can enjoy a beautiful smile as well as a comfortable quality of life.
For more information about myofunctional therapy in Alexander City, Alabama, and how it can benefit you, call Harrell Orthodontics today at 256-234-6353 and schedule your personal consultation with our orthodontist. We look forward to helping you improve your health and quality of life.