Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy for Mouth Breathing or Tongue Thrust

Mouth breathing and tongue thrust are more than small habits. They are signals that the muscles of the face and mouth are not working together as they should. Over time, these patterns can affect sleep, focus, speech, and even the way a face grows. Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT) offers a natural, evidence-based approach to correct these habits through breathing retraining, posture alignment, and gentle muscle exercises.

This article explores why these issues develop, how they impact daily health, and how OMT can help restore normal breathing and muscle function.

Why Mouth Breathing and Tongue Thrust Occur

At rest, the tongue should rest on the roof of the mouth, lips should stay closed, and air should pass quietly through the nose. When these functions drift off course, several problems can appear together.

• Mouth breathing: Air bypasses the nose, leading to dryness, restless sleep, and reduced oxygen absorption.

• Tongue thrust: The tongue pushes forward during swallowing, creating pressure on teeth and altering bite alignment.

• Low tongue posture: The tongue rests at the bottom of the mouth, which can weaken muscles and narrow the airway.

• Weak lip seal: Lips fail to close naturally, making nasal breathing more difficult.

These patterns are common in both children and adults. They often start due to allergies, enlarged tonsils, prolonged pacifier use, or nasal congestion. Once established, they become muscle habits that persist even when the cause is gone.

What Happens if the Problem is Ignored

Ignoring mouth breathing and tongue thrust can lead to several short- and long-term effects.

Sleep and breathing challenges Chronic mouth breathing can cause snoring, dry mouth, and poor sleep quality. It may also contribute to mild sleep apnea or restless sleep in children, affecting focus and learning.

Changes in facial growth Children who breathe through their mouths often develop longer faces, narrower jaws, and smaller airways. This is sometimes called “long face syndrome” and results from poor facial muscle function and oral muscle function over time.

Speech development issues Incorrect tongue posture and weak lips can make certain speech sounds difficult. A child may struggle with sounds like “s,” “t,” or “d.” Myofunctional Therapy can complement speech therapy by improving muscle coordination.

Orthodontic relapse and dental strain Braces and aligners can move teeth, but if the tongue continues to push forward or the mouth stays open, teeth tend to shift back. Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy helps stabilize results by retraining the muscles that guide teeth.

Fatigue and poor concentration Mouth breathing bypasses the body’s natural air-filtration system and can reduce nitric oxide levels, leading to lower oxygen efficiency. The result is daytime fatigue and reduced focus.

How Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy Works

Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy retrains how facial and oral muscles work together to support nasal breathing, swallowing, and speech. It is non-invasive and entirely exercise based.

Assessment and Baseline

A qualified orofacial myofunctional therapist begins with an assessment of breathing patterns, tongue posture, lip seal, swallowing, and facial symmetry. They may collaborate with dentists, ENT specialists, or speech therapists to ensure a full-body approach.

Breathing Retraining

The first step is restoring nasal breathing comfort. This often involves breathing retraining and Buteyko Breathing Techniques, methods that encourage slow, light nasal breathing to regulate carbon dioxide and promote calmness.

Tongue and Lip Exercises

Therapists teach specific oral muscle function drills to strengthen the tongue, lips, and cheeks. These exercises promote proper tongue resting posture (against the palate), correct swallowing, and improved lip closure.

Habit Integration

New patterns must become second nature. Clients practice throughout the day, combining exercises with normal activities like chewing, swallowing, and light physical movement.

Long-Term Benefits

With consistent effort, clients often notice:

• Quieter sleep and reduced snoring

• Better focus and daytime energy

• Improved facial balance and appearance

• Stable orthodontic results

• Clearer speech and easier nasal breathing

How Primal Air Integrates OMT and Breathing Retraining

At Primal Air, Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy is integrated with breathing retraining and Buteyko Breathing Techniques to ensure lasting results. Each program is tailored to the individual’s needs, whether it’s a child developing healthier habits or an adult seeking relief from fatigue and airway strain.

The approach focuses on:

• Functional breathing

• Correct tongue and lip posture

• Improved oral muscle coordination

• Gentle lifestyle integration without stress

Primal Air’s certified orofacial myofunctional therapists guide clients step-by-step, ensuring exercises are simple, effective, and easy to maintain at home. Over time, nasal breathing becomes natural, and clients experience improved energy, sleep, and confidence.

Practical Self-Checks

Try these at home:

• Mirror test: Stand naturally and close your lips. Can you breathe comfortably through your nose for one minute? If not, nasal congestion or weak muscle function may be involved.

• Swallow test: Take a sip of water and swallow while keeping your tongue on the roof of your mouth. If the tongue pushes forward, you may have a tongue thrust pattern.

• Sleep awareness: Do you wake with a dry mouth or drool on your pillow? That suggests mouth breathing during sleep.

If these sound familiar, a consultation with an orofacial myofunctional therapist is a smart next step.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy stop mouth breathing completely? Yes, in many cases. When combined with breathing retraining and nasal airway management, OMT helps restore natural nasal breathing patterns.

What age is best to start therapy? Children as young as four can begin simple exercises. However, adults of any age can benefit, muscles can relearn proper function at any stage.

How long does therapy take? Most programs last 3-6 months, depending on the complexity of the case and the client’s consistency with home exercises.

Is Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy only for children? No. Adults with jaw tension, sleep issues, or orthodontic relapse often see significant improvements with OMT.

Are Buteyko Breathing Techniques safe? Yes, when taught by trained professionals. The exercises focus on gentle nasal breathing, calm rhythm, and oxygen efficiency without breath-holding extremes.

A Clear Path Forward

Mouth breathing and tongue thrust are correctable habits. With consistent guidance and practice, Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy helps re-educate the muscles that shape how we breathe, eat, speak, and sleep. By restoring facial muscle function and oral muscle function, it improves both health and confidence.

If you or your child struggles with chronic mouth breathing or swallowing patterns, contact Primal Air to schedule an assessment. A few minutes of daily practice can make a lifelong difference.

Discover how to Identify Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders and how Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy can help - read our recent article here..