Myofunctional therapy – Guest blog with Fayth Irwin

Since having my own children and specifically evaluating my son’s sleep, I discovered myofunctional therapy. Sleep is a fundamental pillar to good health and when someone isn’t sleeping well, it creates a cascade of other difficulties in their life. Understanding how the mouth, tongue and airway system impact one’s health is an excellent first step to evaluating your child’s sleep, sleep challenges and forming a plan for next steps. It’s not always about bedtime routine and darkness – there’s so many more factors to consider on your child’s sleep journey! It’s important to me that families in the Little Sleep Space community know of all resources available to them to support their children (and themselves!), which is why I reached out to Fayth to share her knowledge and wisdom about myofunctional therapy. I hope it’s helpful for you!

I’m Fayth, I’m a dental hygienist and myofunctional therapist! I learned about my tongue tie & myofunctional dysfunctions when I was 21 – after working in the dental field for years & completing hygiene school. I was blown away that so many issues growing up & into adulthood were connected to my tongue, and that no one had noticed up until now! Once I discovered this (I call it a rabbit hole), I quickly realized the disconnect other professionals have as well. I knew I would make it my mission to educate & treat others experiencing the same issues as me, and to work preventatively. Fast forward to when I finished my myofunctional therapy training program, I needed to find a name for my business. I wanted something that would reflect all the hidden signs & symptoms we have associated with the tongue, so I thought of “Tip Of The Tongue”, a play on “tip of the iceberg”, since there’s so much underneath that we don’t see.

Describe what myofunctional therapy is and what the process entails (e.g., assessment, exercises, x rays, etc.)

Myofunctional therapy retrains the tongue & oral facial muscles for proper functioning to benefit the whole body. We focus on correcting the oral resting posture, maintaining a gentle lip seal, nasal breathing all day & night, and correcting swallow patterns. There are many benefits that come with these main goals, such as optimizing airways, digestion, sleep, pain relief, and development.

My therapy programs can be completely virtual, from assessment to continuing treatment. We start by mailing an assessment kit, and I will ask for photos & videos to be taken & an intake form diving into health & dental history. Next, we can do a comprehensive evaluation & review the findings. At this point, I will recommend a treatment plan & make referrals to other providers if needed (such as tongue tie release provider, body work, airway orthodontics, etc). Then, we can get started on your therapy program! Typically, they are 6-12 months, depending on your case. We meet every 2 weeks on zoom to review your current exercise progress, & go through new exercises that will help your myofunctional disorders.

Who is the ideal patient for myofunctional therapy? What age can myo therapy start with?

Ideally, we start by making sure there is enough room in the palate for the tongue to suction on the room of the mouth. If there isn’t, we may wait until palate expansion can be done to schedule a tongue tie release or start myofunctional therapy. Besides palatal space, we want to make sure you are motivated to practice 2x/day to be successful with your program!

We can start as early as 4-5 years old! Since therapy is virtual, as long as the child is able to carry out the zoom appointment & practice regularly, they can make a great candidate for myo!

What does myofunctional therapy help people with?

Myo goals are focused on correcting the oral resting posture, maintaining a gentle lip seal, nasal breathing all day & night, and correcting swallow patterns. These are important because they support proper functioning for the whole body. A few examples are optimizing airways, clenching & grinding/headache & migraine relief, improving sleep quality, decreasing neck & shoulder tension, aid with speech, digestion, ear problems/infections, decreasing dental work needed, & optimize healthy development.

Why is nose breathing/airway health so important?

Nose breathing is so important because it filters & warms air, supports restorative sleep, maintains saliva, encourages optimal jaw & facial development, produces nitric oxide, increases stamina & endurance. If our airways are not optimal, obstructions can prevent these ideal functions from happening – by mouth breathing or from limited airway space. This can lead to anxiety, irritability, poor sleep, ADHD symptoms, and much more.

What steps should a family take if their child is snoring, mouth breathing, sweating during sleep, etc.?

I would love to advise having a chat with your family doctor about having their airways checked out to rule out structural issues, but unfortunately some doctors aren’t as proactive & aware of these issues. If you are having these concerns & it has been dismissed, book an evaluation with a myofunctional therapist so we can start pointing you in the right direction & make a treatment plan with a preventative approach! Snoring, mouth breathing & sleep issues can mean something bigger is going on with airway & oral function, and we can be proactive to prevent further issues like sleep apnea!

What should a family be looking for in their child for a healthy airway (e.g., jaw position, sleep position, breathing, how their teeth look, etc.)

You should observe their resting oral posture (since you can’t see the tongue placement at rest, focus on seeing if their lips are open or sealed at rest). I recommend also checking this throughout the night! Pop into their room to see if you notice any open mouth posture, snoring, strange sleeping positions, or restless or messy sleeping. Another warning sign for airway issues is crowded teeth. Baby teeth should have spacing between to allow room for the adult teeth to come in, and the adult teeth should have enough room in the palate to fully develop without crowding. Small jaws will lead to small airways.

If a family was nervous to pursue myofunctional therapy, what would you tell them?

I would encourage you to take the jump! It can be daunting at first to jump into all the exercises, but I’m your guide throughout it all! We will work from where you are at & modify as needed. And I know people are human, and you may have weeks that are better than others!

What types of goals do you support children (and adults) with?

Correcting the oral resting posture, maintaining a gentle lip seal, nasal breathing all day & night, and correcting swallow patterns. Our therapy program can also prep you for a tongue tie release if needed!

Is myofunctional therapy a good option to consider before a tonsil/adenoid procedure?

Yes definitely! When tonsils & adenoids need to be removed, there can be some other issues going on. Maybe the tonsils & adenoids were inflamed from mouth breathing, or the mouth breathing has become a habit since the inflammation. Either way, this habit will need to be broken to get results from the procedure, and this takes training & time.

How can a family connect with you for additional information and consultation? Are your services covered by benefits?

My website & instagram have links for booking a free 15 minute consult for general therapy inquiries, or a comprehensive evaluation that will take a look at your full case, treatment plan & discuss financials specific to your therapy. Some insurance companies may have myofunctional therapy coverage, but I provide you with the claim forms for you to submit.

Thank you Fayth for sharing your knowledge with us all! I would absolutely encourage checking out her instagram for super helpful content and Q&A opportunities.

 

Wishing your family a supported and confident sleep journey!

Chelsea

Chelsea is Mom of 2 and a Baby, Toddler and Child Sleep Consultant. She has advanced certification in Infant and Early Mental Health and Pediatric Sleep Health and has a Master’s of Professional Education with a specialization in Applied Behaviour Analysis. She has a comprehensive intake assessment that helps determine the most appropriate route for families to reach their sleep goals (and sometimes this means a referral to a different provider!). Chelsea supports families within Hamilton and beyond with hands-on, no cry-it-out, responsive methods towards longer naps and better nights. Chelsea works collaboratively with families to empower them with the confidence and tools they need to reach their unique sleep goals. Hear from rested families here and book a free call with Chelsea here to discuss how she can support your family’s journey to more sleep.