How Myofunctional Therapy Works

Take a moment and notice: where is your tongue right now? Is it resting comfortably against the roof of your mouth, or sitting low on the floor? Are your lips gently sealed? These small patterns of oral posture have a surprisingly large influence on breathing, sleep, jaw development, and long-term dental health.

Myofunctional therapy is a structured programme of exercises that retrains the muscles of the face, mouth and throat. It targets the root causes of many common issues — mouth breathing, tongue thrust, poor swallowing patterns, and sleep-disordered breathing — rather than just treating symptoms.

What problems does myofunctional therapy address?

Myofunctional therapy is used to treat or support recovery from a range of conditions linked to oral muscle dysfunction:

• Mouth breathing — habitual breathing through the mouth instead of the nose, which affects facial growth, sleep quality and overall health.
• Tongue thrust (reverse swallow) — the tongue pushes forward against or between the teeth during swallowing, contributing to open bites and dental misalignment.
• Incorrect tongue posture — the tongue rests in a low position instead of on the palate, failing to support proper upper jaw development.
• Sleep-disordered breathing — including mild obstructive sleep apnoea and upper airway resistance syndrome, where weak or poorly coordinated airway muscles play a role.
• Speech articulation issues — some speech sound errors are linked to tongue position and muscle coordination.
• Orthodontic relapse — teeth shifting back after braces, often caused by ongoing tongue thrust or poor oral rest posture.

The science behind it

The orofacial muscles — the tongue, lips, cheeks and soft palate — shape the way the face and jaws develop. When these muscles function correctly, they promote balanced growth. When they do not, the consequences can include narrowed dental arches, crowded teeth, receding chins and restricted airways.

Research has shown that myofunctional therapy can significantly reduce the severity of obstructive sleep apnoea in both children and adults. A 2015 meta-analysis published in the journal Sleep found that myofunctional therapy reduced apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI) by approximately 50% in adults and 62% in children.

What happens in a myofunctional therapy programme?

A typical programme runs for several months and is personalised to each patient. Sessions at Airway Clinic Stockholm follow this general structure:

1. Assessment

The therapist evaluates tongue mobility, rest posture, swallowing pattern, breathing mode and oral habits. This includes checking for tongue-tie (ankyloglossia) and assessing jaw range of motion.

2. Awareness phase

Patient and therapist work together to establish conscious awareness of where the tongue, lips and jaw should rest. This foundational step is essential before exercises begin.

3. Exercise programme

A series of targeted exercises is prescribed, typically performed two to three times daily. These exercises focus on:

• Tongue elevation and sustained posture on the palate
• Lip seal and nasal breathing drills
• Correct swallowing technique
• Soft palate and pharyngeal muscle toning
• Jaw stabilisation exercises

4. Habituation

Over time, conscious effort becomes automatic. The goal is for correct oral posture to become the default — at rest, during swallowing, and during sleep.

5. Maintenance

Once the new patterns are established, a minimal maintenance routine keeps the muscles toned and the habits stable.

How long does it take?

Most programmes last between 6 and 12 months, depending on the severity of the dysfunction and the patient's consistency with exercises. Children often adapt faster than adults, but adults can achieve excellent results with dedicated practice.

Sessions are typically scheduled every two to four weeks, with daily home exercises in between. Consistency is the single most important factor in successful outcomes.

Who can benefit?

Myofunctional therapy is effective across a wide age range:

• Young children (ages 3–6) — early intervention to correct mouth breathing and oral habits before they affect facial growth.
• Children (ages 7–12) — supporting orthodontic treatment, addressing tongue thrust, and improving airway development during critical growth periods.
• Teenagers — correcting persistent patterns, supporting retention after orthodontics.
• Adults — improving sleep quality, reducing TMJ symptoms, supporting CPAP alternatives, and maintaining orthodontic results.

Working alongside your dental team

Myofunctional therapy is most effective when coordinated with other treatments. At Airway Clinic Stockholm, Jessica Gorlee works directly with Dr. Sia to ensure that therapy aligns with orthodontic goals, airway treatment plans and overall oral health strategy.

This integrated approach means that muscle retraining supports — rather than works against — the structural changes achieved through dental and orthodontic care.