If you’ve ever noticed your child sleeping with their mouth open, struggling with thumb sucking, or having difficulty with orthodontic treatments, you may have come across the term myofunctional therapy. This gentle, exercise-based treatment is becoming increasingly recognised by dentists, orthodontists, and sleep specialists worldwide for its ability to transform oral health and overall well-being.
Myofunctional therapy is a safe, exercise-based treatment that retrains the tongue, lips, and facial muscles to improve breathing, swallowing, and oral posture. It helps children and adults with mouth breathing, tongue thrust, orthodontic issues, and sleep problems, supporting healthier growth, better sleep, and long-term dental stability.
At Dr Mali Dental Clinic in Fulham, we offer specialist-led myofunctional therapy as part of our children’s and family dentistry services. Whether you’re a parent looking for answers for your child or an adult struggling with jaw pain or sleep issues, this guide will explain everything you need to know.
Myofunctional therapy (sometimes called orofacial myofunctional therapy) is a treatment programme that retrains the muscles of the mouth, tongue, and face. The focus is on improving:
By teaching the muscles to work correctly, myofunctional therapy supports healthy growth in children and restores balance in adults. It is completely non-invasive, safe, and designed to complement other dental or orthodontic treatments.
The therapy involves a series of tailored exercises, usually practised daily, which strengthen and coordinate the muscles of the lips, tongue, and cheeks. These exercises may look simple but have powerful effects on breathing, bite, and facial development.
Common goals of therapy include:
Every programme is customised to the individual after a detailed consultation and assessment.
For children, early intervention can prevent long-term problems. Myofunctional therapy is especially beneficial if your child:
Adults also benefit from therapy, particularly if they experience:
Reassurance for parents: myofunctional therapy is completely safe, involves no drilling or invasive procedures, and can make a lasting difference to your child’s health.
The results go far beyond the mouth. Patients often report improvements in:
One of the most common questions parents ask is: “Why does my child need myofunctional therapy if they’re already getting braces?”
The answer: braces move teeth, but they don’t address the muscle habits that may have caused the misalignment in the first place. Without correcting these patterns, there’s a high chance of teeth shifting back after treatment (orthodontic relapse).
Myofunctional therapy works hand-in-hand with orthodontics, ensuring long-lasting results and healthier jaw development. Investing in this therapy alongside braces can save time, cost, and stress in the long run.
Sleep disorders in children, including snoring and sleep apnoea, are often linked to poor tongue posture and mouth breathing. Research has shown that myofunctional therapy can:
For parents concerned about ADHD-like symptoms, poor school performance, or constant tiredness, addressing breathing through therapy can be life-changing. Adults with sleep apnoea or chronic snoring can also see significant improvements.
At your first visit, our specialist dentist will carry out a full assessment of oral habits, breathing patterns, tongue posture, and overall health.
A set of custom exercises is prescribed. These are simple, safe, and designed to be practised at home daily.
Progress is monitored at follow-up appointments, with adjustments made as needed.
With consistency, most patients notice improvements within weeks, with long-term benefits for oral health and wellbeing.
While your exact programme will be tailored, here are a few simple exercises often used:
These exercises may sound easy but are powerful when repeated consistently. For best results, they should only be performed under the guidance of a trained professional.
Yes. Myofunctional therapy is evidence-based, natural, and entirely safe for both children and adults. There are no side effects, and improvements are often noticeable in a relatively short time.
At Dr Mali Dental Clinic, your treatment is delivered under the care of Dr Malihe Moeinian, a paediatric dental specialist with advanced training and years of clinical experience. This ensures your child’s therapy is safe, effective, and fully supported by dental expertise.
If you’re concerned about your child’s breathing, oral habits, or orthodontic needs, or if you’re an adult looking for a solution to snoring, jaw pain, or orthodontic relapse, myofunctional therapy could be the answer.
At our Fulham clinic, we provide:
Take the first step today. Book a consultation with Dr Mali and our team to see how myofunctional therapy can transform your child’s health, growth, and confidence.
Myofunctional therapy may sound like a simple concept, but its benefits can be life-changing. From better breathing and sleep to healthier orthodontic outcomes and improved confidence, this gentle therapy helps both children and adults achieve long-term health and wellbeing.
At Dr Mali Dental Clinic in Fulham, we are proud to combine advanced dental care with specialist myofunctional therapy to support your whole family.
Book your consultation today and give your child the gift of healthier breathing, growth, and a brighter future.
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