Parents describe history of eating as messy and selective.
When the tongue is resting low and forward in the mouth and it is thrusting forward during oral swallowing, there are many symptoms that occur while eating. The tongue often comes forward to meet the utensil or cup when eating or drinking. The lips often squeeze together and the chin has a bunched appearance with oral swallowing. Eating and drinking may be messy or noisy. The patient often chews with lips open. Children may also be thought of by parents as “picky eaters” simply because they cannot manipulate certain foods as a result of their OMD. During therapy, the therapist trains the lips and tongue to work in a correct oral swallowing pattern, using multiple exercises to re-learn how to correctly chew and oral phase swallow a variety of textures of food and drink.
Our goal as therapists is to not only correct Orofacial Muscle Dysfunctions, but to help our patients create new habits. Habituation is essential to a successful program! The treatment plans are customized for each patient, and can often be implemented without interruption to your dental or orthodontic treatment goals. Let’s partner with you to create a harmonious oral environment.