How Myofunctional Therapy Can Improve Swallowing and Speech

how myofunctional therapy can improve swallowing and speech

A lot of adults and children have problems with insignificant but significant problems such as inappropriate swallowing habits or speech problems. These difficulties are often associated with improper functioning of oral muscles, mouth position, or mouth-breathing habits. 

Myofunctional therapy in Cary is a type of therapy that is tailored to aim at repositioning the muscles of the face, mouth, and tongue to eventually enhance his or her habits of swallowing, the clearness of his or her speech, and the overall health of his or her mouth. 

In need of a dental office in Cary and want to find a personalized solution? Myofunctional therapy may be a life-changing option.

Understanding the Role of Oral Muscles

The mouth muscles are important in daily activities such as chewing, swallowing, and speaking. The weakest or poorly trained of these muscles may cause problems of lisping, tongue thrust, or even permanent jaw tension. Myofunctional therapy attempts to target these muscles by making change through guided exercises and behavioral modifications. There is development of the ability to improve speech and swallowing by strengthening and appropriately coordinating such muscles, which is often noticeable in the patients. 

To a person who wants professional help, a dental office near you or your residence that provides myofunctional therapy can formulate a personal course of action.

Signs You May Need Myofunctional Therapy for Better Function

It is worth noting that there are symptoms that signal that you might require myofunctional therapy in order to have better functioning. Common indicators include:

  • Having problems with swallowing some foods.
  • Frequent mouth breathing
  • Swallowing or speaking with tongue thrust.
  • Snoring or mild sleep apnea
  • The difficulty with speech articulation.
  • Chronic jaw or neck fatigue

Early detection of these signs can make the treatment of disorders more successful and positively influence the avoidance of new complications.

How Myofunctional Therapy Helps

Adults with speech or swallowing problems are treated using myofunctional therapy based on exercises aimed at correcting tongue posture, strengthening the facial muscles, and enhancing nasal breathing. Myofunctional therapy for adults with speech or swallowing issues can include exercises like positioning the tongue in the right manner against the roof of the mouth and learning to swallow the food using controlled swallowing. These exercises may lessen tongue thrust with time and lead to an improved speech pattern and a more natural pattern of swallowing. A therapy can also be used to improve the airway functioning, such as snoring or mild sleep apnea.

The other significant benefit of the myofunctional therapy is the fact that the therapy is noninvasive. Therapy is based on exercise and behavioral change, unlike surgery or orthodontics. It is possible to achieve positive changes in patients with slow, but steady progress over time with practice and under the guidance of professionals. A mix of therapy and routine dental check-ups will provide your body with a combination of mouth condition and muscle activity that will produce the best results.

Conclusion

Cary Dental Spa specializes in providing high-quality myofunctional therapy in Cary, enabling them to manage their speech and swallowing problems safely and efficiently. Our staff offers friendly treatment programs and a caring attitude, which will guarantee a lasting outcome. In case of problems with swallowing and speech, go to our dental treatment center today and find out that myofunctional therapy can help you enhance oral activity and quality of life.

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919-980-9136