As an adult, you might think habits like thumb sucking or tongue tie are kid stuff, but they can linger and mess with your overall health. At AZ Family Dental, we see grown-ups dealing with jaw pain, open bite, or even sleep-disordered breathing, often tied to orofacial myofunctional disorders (OMDs). Adult myofunctional therapy could be the fix—think of it as physical therapy for your mouth, using myofunctional therapy exercises to boost your quality of life. Let’s unpack how it works and why it’s worth considering.
Issues like oral habits or poor oral rest posture don’t always stay in childhood—they can stick around, causing jaw pain or crooked teeth that need orthodontic treatments. Adult myofunctional therapy steps in with treatment options to retrain muscles and improve proper tongue posture, helping your overall health and smile.
Can myofunctional therapy work for adults?
Absolutely—myofunctional therapy exercises aren’t just for kids. Adults with orofacial myofunctional disorders (OMDs)—like trouble swallowing or breathing—can see real changes. It strengthens muscle tone in the face and mouth, easing sleep-disordered breathing or jaw pain. Pair it with orthodontic treatments, and you’re tackling both function and form for lasting quality-of-life gains.
Can you do myofunctional therapy on your own?
You can try basic exercises—like pressing your tongue to the roof of your mouth—but going solo has limits. Without guidance from speech therapists or trained professionals, you might miss the mark on proper tongue posture or overdo it. At AZ Family Dental, we customize treatment options, ensuring you’re a strong candidate for myofunctional success instead of guessing your way through.
Is it too late to do myofunctional therapy?
Nope, it’s never too late. Whether you’re 30 or 70, myofunctional therapy exercises can reshape oral rest posture and fix issues from years of thumb sucking or tongue tying. Age doesn’t lock you out—it’s about commitment. The earlier you start, the better, but adults still see the benefits of myofunctional therapy, like less pain and better sleep.
How do adults fix tongue thrusting?
Tongue thrusting—when your tongue pushes forward too much—can lead to open bites or speech quirks. Adults fix it with targeted myofunctional therapy exercises, like holding the tongue against the roof of your mouth to build muscle tone. Speech therapists often team up with us at AZ Family Dental to retrain that habit, blending it with physical therapy moves for your mouth. It’s a team effort to get that proper tongue posture on track.
How long does it take to see results from myofunctional therapy?
Results depend on your starting point, which is weeks to months. Simple fixes, like better oral rest posture, might show in a month with consistent practice. Bigger shifts—like easing sleep disordered breathing or supporting orthodontic treatments—can take six months or more. Stick with it, and the benefits of myofunctional therapy pile up for your overall health.
Who is a candidate for myofunctional therapy?
You might be a candidate for myofunctional if you’ve got jaw pain, open bite, or sleep-disordered breathing. Adults with tongue ties, bad oral habits like thumb sucking, or even orofacial myofunctional disorders (OMDs) fit the bill too. At AZ Family Dental, we assess your muscle tone and history to see if it’s a match—pretty much anyone wanting a better quality of life can benefit.
Comprehensive Dental Care at AZ Family Dental
From preventative care to emergency dental procedures and cosmetics, we offer the best the industry has to offer in oral hygiene, diagnostics, and treatments.
Our full spectrum of dental services include:
- General Care
- Preventative Care
- Cosmetic Services
- Removals
- Periodontal Care
- Orthodontics
- Tooth Replacement
- Prosthodontist Care
Schedule an appointment for you and your family today to get started!