Myofunctional Therapy for Kids: What Is It and How Can It Help?

As a busy parent, you probably don’t spend much time thinking about where your child’s tongue rests, how they swallow, or whether they breathe through their nose or mouth.

But all of these can affect how your child’s mouth, jaw, teeth, and airway develop.

That’s where myofunctional therapy for kids may come in.

If your child breathes through their mouth, snores, has certain speech or swallowing issues, or has difficulty keeping their tongue in the proper resting position, your dentist may recommend an oral myofunctional evaluation.

But what exactly is myofunctional therapy? And why would a dentist recommend it?

Let’s take a closer look.

What Is Myofunctional Therapy?

Myofunctional therapy focuses on how the muscles of the mouth and face function.

This includes:

• Tongue
• Lips
• Cheeks
• Jaw
• Facial muscles

The goal is to help a child develop healthier patterns for things like tongue posture, lip closure, swallowing, chewing, and breathing.

Think of it as teaching the mouth muscles to work together more effectively.

For some children, that may mean learning where the tongue should rest. For others, it may involve improving lip closure, changing a swallowing pattern, or becoming more aware of how they breathe.

At Atkins & Anderson DDS, myofunctional therapy can be part of a broader approach to airway-focused dentistry for children, especially when breathing patterns, oral posture, and dental development are connected.

Learn More: Atkins & Anderson Now Offers Airway Dentistry for Kids in College Station

Why Would a Child Need Myofunctional Therapy?

Children develop habits early. Some of those habits are easy to overlook because they seem harmless.

For example, a child may regularly:

• Breathe through their mouth instead of their nose
• Sleep with their mouth open
• Rest their tongue low in their mouth
• Push their tongue against or between their teeth when swallowing
• Have difficulty keeping their lips closed at rest
• Snore or breathe loudly while sleeping
• Have trouble with certain chewing or swallowing patterns
• Have speech concerns that involve oral muscle function

When several of these issues occur together, it might be time to evaluate how your child’s mouth and airway are functioning.

We encourage parents to watch for signs like mouth breathing, snoring, restless sleep, crowded teeth, and other potential airway concerns. Early airway screening can help identify issues while a child’s jaw and facial structures are still developing.

Learn More: Why Early Airway Screening (Ages 3-12) Matters for Lifelong Health

What Does Myofunctional Therapy for Kids Actually Look Like?

This is one of the biggest questions parents have.

The good news is that myofunctional therapy typically includes simple, age-appropriate exercises that are practiced consistently over time.

Depending on your child’s individual needs, exercises may focus on things such as:

1. Tongue Position

A child learns where their tongue should naturally rest when they aren’t eating or talking.

Proper tongue posture is an important part of healthy oral function and development.

2. Lip Strength and Closure

Some children have difficulty keeping their lips comfortably closed, especially if they usually breathe through their mouth.

Exercises help improve lip strength, coordination, and awareness.

3. Tongue Strength and Control

A child may practice specific movements to help improve tongue strength, range of motion, and coordination.

These exercises are usually short and simple enough to incorporate into a child’s daily routine.

4. Swallowing Patterns

Children can develop swallowing habits that place unnecessary pressure on the teeth or interfere with proper oral function.

Therapy helps a child become more aware of how they swallow and practice a more efficient movement.

5. Nasal Breathing and Oral Rest Posture

For some children, therapy also supports the habits associated with nasal breathing and appropriate resting posture.

Myofunctional therapy does not treat every cause of mouth breathing. If a child cannot comfortably breathe through their nose because of allergies, enlarged tonsils or adenoids, congestion, or another underlying issue, that concern may need separate evaluation.

Learn More: The Hidden Connection Between Mouth Breathing and Dental Problems

How Can Myofunctional Therapy Help Children?

The potential benefits depend on the child’s individual needs and what is causing the problem.

When needed, myofunctional therapy helps support:

• Better tongue posture
• Improved oral muscle coordination
• Healthier swallowing patterns
• Improved lip closure
• Nasal breathing instead of mouth breathing
• Proper oral function
• Healthy dental and facial development

For children receiving airway-focused dental care, myofunctional therapy may be one piece of a larger treatment plan.

Atkins & Anderson’s approach to airway dentistry looks at the relationship between the airway, jaw, teeth, breathing, and overall oral health, rather than focusing only on the teeth.

What Does Myofunctional Therapy Have to Do With Airway Health?

Your child’s tongue isn’t just involved in eating and speaking. Its resting position can also affect how the mouth and airway function.

Chronic mouth breathing is also linked to dry mouth, higher risk of cavities, gum inflammation, and changes in how the jaws and dental arches develop.

That’s one reason myofunctional therapy and airway dentistry often go together.

However, it’s important to look at the whole picture and get a thorough evaluation to determine what’s actually going on.

Learn More: Why Mouth Breathing Matters: How it Affects Your Child’s Sleep, Growth, and Health

How Do You Know if Your Child Needs an Evaluation?

Talk with your child’s dentist if you notice that your child:

• Frequently breathes through their mouth
• Sleeps with their mouth open
• Snores regularly
• Breathes noisily during sleep
• Wakes frequently or sleeps restlessly
• Seems tired during the day
• Pushes their tongue against or between their teeth when swallowing
• Has crowded or crooked teeth developing early
• Has difficulty keeping their lips together at rest
• Has frequent dry mouth or cavities

One symptom alone doesn’t automatically mean there is an airway problem. An evaluation will determine that.

Learn More: How Poor Sleep and Breathing Can Affect Focus, Mood, and Behavior

Why Early Evaluation Matters

Your child’s mouth, jaw, teeth, and face are still developing.

Early airway and dental evaluations can help identify concerns before they become more complicated. That’s one reason Atkins & Anderson offers airway dentistry for children, including evaluations for kids ages 3–12.

Learn More: Airway-Focused Dentistry: Why Early Treatment Matters

FAQs About Myofunctional Therapy for Kids

1. What age can a child start myofunctional therapy?

While early intervention is encouraged, every child is different. Therapy is based on a child’s developmental readiness, specific concerns, and overall treatment needs. Your child’s dentist or therapy provider can help determine whether your child is ready.

2. Can myofunctional therapy help with mouth breathing?

It addresses muscle function and oral habits associated with mouth breathing, but the underlying cause matters. Nasal congestion, allergies, enlarged tonsils or adenoids, and other airway concerns may require additional evaluation.

3. Can myofunctional therapy straighten teeth?

No. Myofunctional therapy and orthodontic treatment address different concerns, although they may sometimes be used together.

4. Does my child have to do exercises every day?

Your child’s home program will depend on their individual needs. Many programs include simple exercises or activities that are practiced regularly at home. Consistency helps new patterns become more natural over time.

5. Is myofunctional therapy painful?

Myofunctional exercises are designed to be gentle and age-appropriate. Your child’s dentist can explain exactly which exercises are recommended and what to expect.

6. Can a dentist tell if my child needs myofunctional therapy?

Yes, a dentist can evaluate your child’s teeth, jaw development, oral function, and potential airway concerns and determine whether further evaluation or treatment is appropriate. Depending on the situation, your child may also benefit from care involving other healthcare professionals.

Learn More: Airway Dentistry FAQs

Ready to Take a Closer Look at Your Child’s Airway Health?

At Atkins & Anderson DDS in College Station, we take a comprehensive approach to children’s dental health. Our airway dentistry for kids program looks beyond the teeth to consider breathing, jaw development, oral function, sleep, and overall airway health.

Wondering if myofunctional therapy or an airway evaluation could benefit your child?

Schedule an appointment with Atkins & Anderson DDS in College Station. We’ll listen to your concerns, evaluate your child’s oral health and development, and help you determine the next step.