Myofunctional Therapy for Tongue Thrust, Mouth Breathing, and Speech Sound Concerns

Myofunctional therapy addresses the way the tongue, lips, jaw, and facial muscles rest and move during breathing, swallowing, speech, and chewing.

ASHA describes orofacial myofunctional disorders as patterns involving the face and mouth that may affect speech, eating, swallowing, and dental development

Who this may help

Use bullets like:

• Tongue thrust swallow

• Open-mouth posture

• Mouth breathing habits

• Low tongue resting posture

• Persistent /s/, /z/, /sh/, /ch/, /j/, /r/ sound errors

• Thumb/finger sucking history

• Orthodontic relapse concerns

• Tongue tie release preparation or follow-up

• Difficulty with chewing/swallowing patterns

At Heritage Speech and Sound, myofunctional therapy is provided by a licensed speech-language pathologist and is integrated with speech sound, oral-motor, and functional communication goals when appropriate.

ASHA notes that OMD treatment is often collaborative and may involve SLPs, dental providers, orthodontists, medical providers, and families

What treatment looks like

Most children begin with a comprehensive evaluation. If therapy is recommended, treatment is usually structured as a short, goal-focused plan with home practice between sessions.

• Evaluation of oral resting posture, breathing habits, swallowing, speech, and oral movement

• Individualized therapy plan

• Home practice routine

• Collaboration with dentist, orthodontist, ENT, pediatrician, or release provider when needed

Evaluation: starting at $300
Therapy: $120 per 30-minute session
Typical course: often 8–12 sessions, depending on age, goals, consistency, and whether speech sound therapy is also needed.

For Dentists, Orthodontists, and Release Providers

“We welcome collaborative referrals for children with tongue thrust, low tongue posture, mouth breathing patterns, speech sound concerns, orthodontic relapse concerns, or pre/post-frenectomy therapy needs.”