It’s NOT the Swallow!

After specializing in Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy for almost 40 years, I have found it is NOT the tongue thrust swallow that causes malocclusions but it is the INCORRECT ORAL REST POSTURE OF THE TONGUE AND LIPS that causes dental malocclusions due, primarily, to nasal airway issues. Most patients with dental malocclusions also have lip incompetence so the tongue provides the anterior seal rather than the lips as seen in this 8 year old male patient in the Before photos. The After photos demonstrate the results of Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT).

The goal of OMT is to achieve lip closure at rest or lip competence which can only occur if the patient can breathe nasally on a consistent basis. OMT is never initiated until my patients are evaluated by an ENT and Allergist on my team who understand Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (OMDs). Once the nasal airway interference issues are resolved, OMT can teach patients to keep their lips closed and the tongue to rest in the roof of the mouth in order to restore harmony and counteract the damage caused by poor oral rest posture of the tongue and lips . OMT never takes the place of orthodontics but helps the orthodontist in achieving successful orthodontic treatment. As an IAOM Certified Orofacial Myofunctional Therapist for almost 40 years, I can help orthodontists achieve stable orthodontic results. 
#NOTtheswallow #incorrectoralrestposture#whereisthetongueresting #LipIncompetence#dentalmalocclusions #OMThelpsorthodontists