Tongue & Airway Function Training: Retraining How Your Child Breathes, Rests & Swallows
You might think the girl's smile in the video here looks normal - but it's not. She has crowding in her teeth and her teeth are tipped inward. Your child's tongue should rest on the roof of their mouth. Their lips should seal naturally. They should breathe through their nose—not their mouth.
But if your child has a tongue tie, has undergone frenectomy or palate expansion, or has developed years of dysfunctional oral habits, their muscles don't know how to function properly.
And here's the problem:
You can release a tongue tie. You can expand a palate. You can remove tonsils. But if you don't retrain the muscles to function correctly, old patterns persist—and results are limited or lost entirely.
Myofunctional training is the missing piece that makes structural interventions actually work.
What Is Myofunctional Training (Myofunctional Therapy)?
Myofunctional training (also called orofacial myofunctional therapy) is specialized exercise and retraining that addresses how the muscles of the tongue, lips, jaw, and throat function.
It targets:
Tongue posture (where the tongue rests at rest)
Lip seal (whether the lips naturally close or hang open)
Breathing patterns (nasal vs. mouth breathing)
Swallowing coordination (proper swallowing vs. tongue thrust)
Chewing function (jaw strength and coordination)
Oral rest posture (how the mouth, tongue, and jaw position during rest)
When these functions are optimized, the airway opens, sleep improves, facial development proceeds correctly, dental problems decrease, and systemic health transforms.
Think of it as physical therapy—for the mouth.
Why Myofunctional Training Is Essential
Most children with airway dysfunction have developed compensatory patterns over years:
Tongue sits low and forward (instead of resting on the roof of the mouth)
Mouth hangs open habitually (weak lip seal)
Breathing through the mouth (day and night)
Tongue thrust when swallowing (pushes tongue forward between teeth)
Poor chewing coordination (avoiding tough foods, picky eating)
These patterns don't just go away when you fix structure:
You can release a tongue tie—but if the tongue doesn't learn to rest on the roof of the mouth, the airway still collapses during sleep.
You can expand a palate—but if the tongue doesn't learn to fill the new space, the expansion can relapse.
You can remove tonsils—but if mouth breathing continues, inflammation returns and sleep quality remains poor.
Structure creates potential. Function creates results.
Who Needs Myofunctional Training?
Breathing & Sleep Concerns
Children who:
Are chronic mouth breathers (day or night)
Snore or show signs of sleep-disordered breathing
Have had tonsils or adenoids removed but still mouth breathe
Tongue & Oral Function Challenges
Children who:
Have tongue ties or lip ties (before and especially after release)
Exhibit tongue thrust (tongue pushes forward when swallowing)
Have speech difficulties related to tongue placement (R, L, TH sounds)
Struggle with picky eating or difficulty chewing
Dental & Orthodontic Support
Children who:
Have undergone or are preparing for palate expansion
Are currently in orthodontic treatment (braces, retainers, expanders)
Facial Growth & Development
Children who:
Show signs of improper facial development (long face, weak chin, gummy smile)
What Happens If Dysfunction Isn't Addressed?
When oral dysfunction goes untreated, the consequences compound over time.
Short-Term (Childhood):
Mouth breathing continues (even after structural correction)
Sleep quality remains poor
Airway obstruction persists or returns
Dental relapse (teeth shift back after braces)
Palate expansion relapse (palate narrows again)
Speech issues persist
Picky eating and digestive issues continue
Long-Term (Adolescence & Adulthood):
Sleep apnea develops
TMJ dysfunction and jaw pain
Headaches and neck tension
Need for jaw surgery (that could have been prevented)
Lifelong reliance on CPAP or dental appliances
Chronic health issues tied to poor sleep and oxygenation
Myofunctional training during childhood prevents these outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions about bedwetting, sleep issues, chronic illness, or how breathing affects your child's health? Here are answers to guide you toward the clarity and transformation your family needs.
What exactly is myofunctional therapy?
Myofunctional therapy is physical therapy for the mouth and face. It retrains the muscles of the tongue, lips, cheeks, jaw, and throat to function properly.
Just like physical therapy helps you recover from an injury and retrain movement patterns, myofunctional therapy retrains oral muscle function and breathing patterns that may have developed incorrectly over time.
Why does my child need this?
Your child likely needs myofunctional therapy if:
-They have a tongue tie, lip tie, or buccal tie that needs to be released (therapy should start BEFORE release, ideally 1+ month before)
-They already had a tie released and didn't do therapy (it's not too late to start!)
-They breathe through their mouth during the day or night
-They have a narrow, high palate or facial development concerns
-They snore or have disrupted sleep
-They're getting braces or palate expansion
-They have speech delays or articulation issues
-They're extremely picky eaters or have feeding difficulties
-They grind their teeth at night
Myofunctional therapy addresses the underlying muscle patterns and breathing habits that contribute to these concerns.
What age should myofunctional training start?
Children as young as 3-4 can begin if they're cooperative. The ideal window is ages 4-12 when habits are still forming and facial growth is active. Teens and adults can benefit too, though patterns are more ingrained.
How long does it take to see results?
Many families notice improvements in nasal breathing and sleep quality within 4-6 weeks. Full retraining and habit formation typically takes 6-12 months. Patience and consistency are essential.
What if my child won't do the exercises?
I make exercises fun and age-appropriate. For younger children, we use games, songs, and rewards. For older kids, I help them understand WHY they're doing it. Parent involvement and encouragement are key.
Can myofunctional training replace orthodontics?
Sometimes yes, often no. Proper tongue posture and oral function can guide facial development and prevent the need for braces in some cases. In other cases, it works alongside orthodontics to ensure stable results. Early intervention (ages 5-8) offers the most potential to avoid traditional braces.
What's the difference between myofunctional therapy and speech therapy?
Speech therapy addresses articulation and communication. Myofunctional therapy addresses the underlying muscle patterns (tongue posture, swallowing, breathing) that often cause speech issues. Many children benefit from both, and they complement each other beautifully.
Do you work with adults too?
Yes! Adults with TMJ issues, sleep apnea, or chronic mouth breathing benefit from myofunctional training. The principles are the same, though adult patterns take longer to retrain.