Facial symmetry significantly impacts both aesthetics and functional health. When the muscles of the face, tongue, and mouth fail to work together, it can result in various problems, including speech issues, misaligned bites, and even breathing difficulties. This is where Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT) proves beneficial—it’s a specialized therapy designed to address the underlying causes of muscle imbalance, enhancing facial symmetry and overall oral function.

At Total Speech Therapy, we provide extensive Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy services in Baltimore and Houston, assisting clients of all ages in achieving improved muscle coordination, better health outcomes, and greater self-confidence. In this blog, we will delve into the details of OMT and its role in promoting facial symmetry and function.

Understanding Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy

Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy is a treatment method aimed at correcting the function of orofacial muscles—the muscles around the face, mouth, jaw, and tongue. These muscles are essential for everyday activities such as eating, speaking, and breathing. Disruptive habits or improper development, such as thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, or mouth breathing, can negatively impact facial growth and symmetry over time.

OMT employs targeted exercises to retrain these muscles for proper function, fostering more balanced facial development and long-term wellness.

How OMT Improves Facial Symmetry?

Facial symmetry is influenced by how muscles are used and how they develop. When one side of the face is used more or when muscles aren’t working properly, it can lead to imbalances. OMT promotes even muscle usage and proper alignment of the facial structure. Here’s how:

1. Correcting Tongue Posture

One of the primary goals of OMT is to correct tongue posture. The tongue plays a major role in shaping the palate and jaw during growth. When the tongue rests low or pushes forward (as in tongue thrust), it can lead to misaligned teeth and asymmetrical facial development. OMT helps train the tongue to rest properly against the roof of the mouth, supporting balanced growth of the facial structure.

2. Balancing Muscle Use

OMT strengthens underused muscles and relaxes overused ones. For example, children who breathe through their mouths often overuse certain facial muscles, which can lead to long, narrow faces and misaligned jaws. With proper breathing retraining and muscle coordination, OMT restores natural muscle balance, contributing to a more symmetrical facial appearance.

3. Enhancing Jaw Alignment

Jaw misalignment can significantly affect facial symmetry. OMT includes exercises that promote correct jaw function and positioning, which supports better alignment over time. This can also help reduce related issues such as TMJ disorders and grinding.

Additional Benefits of OMT

While improving facial symmetry is a key advantage, OMT offers a wide range of additional benefits, including:

• Improved speech clarity
  
• Better chewing and swallowing patterns
  
• Reduced mouth breathing and associated health issues
  
• Prevention of orthodontic relapse after braces
  
• Enhanced sleep quality due to proper airway function
  

Who Can Benefit from OMT?

OMT is effective for both children and adults. Children benefit most when therapy is started early, especially if they show signs of tongue thrust, thumb sucking, or speech delays. Adults can also achieve great results, particularly those dealing with sleep apnea, TMJ pain, or long-term facial imbalances.

At Total Speech Therapy, we conduct a comprehensive evaluation to determine if OMT is the right fit and design a therapy plan tailored to individual needs.

Why Choose Total Speech Therapy?

With a team of experienced and certified speech-language pathologists, Total Speech Therapy offers evidence-based Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy in Baltimore and Houston. Our therapists work closely with each client to address the root causes of orofacial imbalances and help them achieve better symmetry, function, and confidence.

If you are experiencing signs of facial asymmetry, speech issues, or mouth breathing, consider Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy as a proactive solution. Contact Total Speech Therapy to schedule an evaluation and learn more about how we can help you build a healthier, more balanced future.

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📞 Baltimore: 410-696-3301
📞 Houston: 713-489-6697