Myofunctional Therapy

Myofunctional therapy helps improve the way your child’s mouth, tongue, and facial muscles work together. By correcting habits like mouth breathing or tongue positioning, we can support healthy development and create the foundation for a strong, balanced smile.
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About Myofunctional Therapy

Myofunctional therapy focuses on training the muscles of the mouth, tongue, and face to function correctly.

Some children develop habits such as mouth breathing, tongue thrusting, or incorrect swallowing patterns, which can affect how their teeth and jaws grow. Myofunctional therapy uses simple, guided exercises to retrain these muscles and encourage healthier patterns.

By addressing these underlying habits early, we can support proper facial development, improve oral health, and enhance the long-term stability of orthodontic treatment.

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Child receiving myofunctional therapy in dentist chair at Dental Works Kids

In their own words

Happy Parents

"I genuinely can't say enough good things about Dr. Rachel at The Dental Works Kids in Shenfield, especially her amazing skill in early orthodontic care for young kids (mine are 4 and 6). From the moment we stepped in, Dr. Rachel and her team's professionalism, care, and kindness made my whole family feel comfortable. She worked wonders with my young boys during their exams, including x-rays, photos, and scans. My initial worries about them sitting still melted away as she easily won them over...Dr. Rachel's attention to detail is impressive; she notices everything. Her ability to spot issues like mouth breathing, disturbed sleep, and teeth grinding, even before I mentioned them, shows just how skilled she is at diagnosing. The advanced early intervention plan she created for my kids is unlike anything I've seen in UK dentistry."

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The Myofunctional Therapy Process

1
Initial Assessment
We begin with a detailed assessment to understand your child’s oral habits, breathing patterns, tongue posture, and overall oral development.
2
Personalised Therapy Plan
Based on the assessment, we create a tailored treatment plan with exercises and goals designed specifically for your child’s needs.
3
Guided Therapy Sessions
Your child will attend supportive therapy sessions focused on improving oral muscle function, breathing, swallowing, and healthy habits.
4
Home Support & Progress Monitoring
We provide simple at-home exercises and regularly monitor your child’s progress to ensure long-term improvements and healthy development.

Benefits

Improved breathing habits
Myofunctional therapy helps encourage healthy nasal breathing patterns, reducing mouth breathing and supporting better oxygen intake and overall wellbeing.
Supports healthy facial development
By improving oral muscle function and tongue posture, therapy can support proper jaw growth, facial development, and dental alignment.
Corrects tongue & swallowing function
Therapy helps retrain tongue posture and swallowing patterns, promoting healthier oral habits that can positively impact speech and bite development.
Better sleep & oral function
Improved muscle function and breathing patterns may help support better sleep quality, clearer speech, and overall day-to-day comfort and confidence.
Got questions about Myofunctional Therapy? Here are some common ones.

Myofunctional Therapy FAQs

How do I know if my child needs myofunctional therapy?
Some common signs include mouth breathing, snoring, thumb or finger sucking beyond toddler years, a resting tongue that sits low or forward, or speech and swallowing difficulties. If you've noticed any of these, our team can carry out a full assessment to see whether therapy would help.
Is myofunctional therapy painful?
Not at all. Sessions involve fun, guided exercises for the mouth and face — most children find them more like a game than anything else, and our team makes sure every session is engaging and comfortable.
How long does treatment take?
Every child is different, but therapy is typically an ongoing process over several months, with progress checked and exercises adjusted at each visit. We'll keep you updated on how your child is getting on every step of the way.
Does my child have to wear an appliance?

Not always. Some children benefit from exercises alone, while others may need an appliance to support muscle training and development. If an appliance is recommended, this will be based on a full clinical assessment. We will explain the reasons clearly and discuss alternatives where appropriate. The decision is always made with the child’s best interests in mind.

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