What is Oral Myofunctional Therapy and How Can It Help?

Oral myofunctional therapy is a type of treatment that helps retrain the muscles in the mouth, face, and tongue to work in better harmony. We see more people asking about it these days, and with good reason. A small shift in how your mouth rests during the day and night can affect everything from breathing to chewing to sleep.

This type of therapy focuses on creating healthier habits in how the tongue moves and where it rests. It can also affect how the jaw moves, how the lips stay sealed, and how the face softens during rest. For many people, especially those living busy lives in Fargo or nearby, these small changes can make daily routines feel smoother and more natural. That’s why we continue to talk about oral myofunctional therapy as a way to support comfort and long-term wellness.

What Oral Myofunctional Therapy Works With

We often don’t think too much about what our tongues are doing. But the way it rests or moves in the mouth can affect other things we do without thinking, like breathing through our nose, swallowing, or even speaking clearly. When these habits are off just a little, they can put extra strain on the muscles around the jaw and neck.

Some people notice that their tongue pushes forward when they swallow. Others may find they breathe through their mouth all the time, even when sleeping. These patterns might show up early in life or develop over time.

• Habitual mouth breathing can dry out the mouth and make sleep feel less restful

• Tongue thrust may impact swallowing or speech comfort

• The jaw might stay tense if the mouth muscles are always working harder to adjust

These small movements may not seem like a big deal at first, but over time, they can lead to discomfort or limit how freely the mouth and face move. Therapy focuses on removing that extra tension layer by layer.

Who Oral Myofunctional Therapy May Support

This kind of therapy isn't age-specific. Kids and adults can both benefit, especially when things feel out of sync in the mouth or face. We’ve worked with children who are learning to breathe more through their nose or chew their food more comfortably. Therapy may be part of helping them settle into more natural patterns.

It can also help adults who deal with regular tension in the jaw or who clench their teeth during sleep. For some, these patterns form as a response to stress. For others, they begin as small habits that grow over time.

• Children struggling with tongue placement or chewing behaviors

• Adults who notice neck tension or jaw tightness that won’t go away

• Anyone with trouble sleeping or people who are told they snore or breathe heavily at night

If someone has already worked through other possible treatments but still feels like something isn’t quite right, oral myofunctional therapy may be worth looking into. It works with the body’s natural movements, and that gentle approach can feel easier to stick with.

What a Therapy Plan Might Include

Therapy plans are built around small, repeatable steps. Most of the time, that means doing movements with the tongue and other parts of the mouth a few times each day. These movements help our muscles relearn better positions and reduce tension by improving how each part of the face works together.

People usually practice:

• Tongue placement exercises that help guide a neutral resting position

• Breathing work that helps the mouth stay closed without strain

• Facial movements that balance where pressure is placed during the day

These routines are done at home outside of appointments. That way, progress happens through consistent practice instead of needing constant check-ins. We like this approach, especially for people with busy schedules who simply want long-term comfort without a full reset of their lifestyle. The body usually needs time to shift its patterns, but steady practice helps those changes stay in place.

Therapy Options That Include Light-Based Tools

For some people working through TMJ issues or tension from oral habits, we may suggest adding light-based support to the therapy plan. A tool like OraLase or BabyLase uses a type of light called Nd:YAG laser light. It's gentle and not painful, and often people say it feels warm or soothing.

This form of light can help reduce tightness in areas around the mouth, jaw, and neck, which makes it easier to move and rest those parts of the body naturally. While it isn’t a replacement for oral myofunctional therapy, it can support progress by helping muscles feel less stressed.

• Laser light helps soften areas that hold tension during movement or rest

• It can be used during TMJ support or when working with tethered oral tissues

• Some people choose to use this in addition to therapy exercises

At Serenity Sleep & TMJ, our team uses a comprehensive approach to oral myofunctional therapy. We combine exercise-based retraining with gentle laser therapies and individualized feedback, making both the planning and practice fit for families and adults in Fargo.

By combining both movement habits and tension-release tools, the process can feel smoother. The goal is always to make daily tasks like talking, chewing, or relaxing feel easier to manage.

Building Long-Term Comfort and Ease

When muscles in the mouth and face work together naturally, everything feels just a bit calmer. It becomes easier to breathe, to eat, and even to wake up without a sore jaw or stiff cheeks. Oral myofunctional therapy isn’t a quick fix, but steady practice creates real results.

When people feel better during basic tasks, it opens space for more ease in the day. Instead of noticing discomfort or needing to shift and adjust constantly, things start to flow a little more smoothly. Whether it’s a child learning to keep their mouth closed when they sleep or an adult who breathes more clearly at night, these shifts can add relief in ways that stretch far beyond the mouth.

At Serenity Sleep & TMJ, we take a thoughtful approach to helping people feel more at ease with how their mouths and faces move throughout the day. Whether you’re in Fargo or nearby, addressing issues like jaw tension, mouth breathing, or swallowing habits can make a lasting impact. To learn how oral myofunctional therapy could fit into your care, reach out to us and get started today.