What is an orofacial myofunctional disorder?

Orofacial myofunctional disorders (OMDs) are generally caused by improper positioning of the lips or tongue when a person is resting, eating and speaking. They are generally diagnosed by a dentist or orthodontist, as they will see that the tongue is shifting the teeth by applying constant pressure.

OMDs can affect the growth and function of the mouth and face. They are generally classified by their symptoms (e.g. atypical swallowing, tongue thrust, lisping).

Approximately 38% of the general population has a type of orofacial myofunctional disorder.

Signs

Orofacial myofunctional disorders can manifest in a few different ways:

• Mouth breathing (without nasal obstruction)
• Parted lips when resting or swallowing
• Tongue sticking out of the mouth (when resting, breathing or swallowing)
• Frontal or lateral lisp
• Teeth grinding (bruxism)

Causes

OMDs may be caused by poor oral habits, poor motor skills or immature motor patterns.

Recommendations

Very often, people with OMDs will be referred to a speech-language pathologist by their dentist or orthodontist.

If the person has a lisp or their dentist believes they have tongue thrust, it is best to consult a speech-language pathologist. A speech-language assessment can reveal aspects of an OMD, allowing the speech-language pathologist to develop a treatment plan.