Helping You Breathe, Sleep, and Thrive — Naturally

Nasal breathing and tongue posture go hand in hand. Proper oral rest posture naturally promotes nasal breathing—it’s not possible to mouth breathe when your tongue is properly resting on the roof of the mouth. With correct oral rest posture (tongue gently suctioned to the roof of the mouth and lips comfortably sealed together) we maintain a position that supports the airway so we can breathe better.

Our bodies are designed to primarily breathe through the nose which naturally delivers more oxygen, filters bacteria and allergens, and allows for deep relaxation and better quality sleep. Mouth breathing is a secondary breathing route that is only meant for use in survival mode.

Common issues like mouth breathing, low tongue posture, clenching and grinding, etc. are all symptoms of disordered breathing. When we breathe with our mouth open regularly, including during sleep, we miss out on all the benefits of nasal breathing and instead send the body into fight or flight response, leading to worse sleep and poor overall health.

Keeping the tongue resting on the roof of the mouth stimulates the vagus nerve, signaling the nervous system to relax and “rest and digest,” which promotes deeper, high-quality sleep. Better breathing and better sleep can naturally increase focus, energy, and overall wellness.

How it works:

1: Book an optional free 10 minute phone consultation if you’re not sure what myofunctional therapy is or if it’s right for you. We’ll answer your questions, discuss your concerns, and guide you to the next best step. No diagnosis or treatment recommendations will be given.

2: Schedule your initial myofunctional therapy assessment (a 60-90 minute comprehensive evaluation). We’ll review health history, symptoms, and assess oral function. Based on the findings of your evaluation, we’ll create a customized myofunctional therapy program for you including referrals and recommendations. You’ll leave the evaluation with a clear plan and next steps.

3: Begin your myofunctional therapy journey with weekly or biweekly 30 minute sessions. We’ll guide you through targeted exercises, providing instruction, feedback, and plan adjustments specific to your needs and goals. You’ll commit to daily exercises (~10-20 minutes per day total) to retrain muscles and rewire neural pathways for better habits and proper muscle function.

4: Complete your myofunctional therapy program and enjoy the benefits of establishing proper oral rest posture, nasal breathing, and appropriate chewing/swallowing patterns: function better, sleep better, feel better–for life!

No. You can schedule an evaluation any time; no referral needed.

Yes! We work with local and international clients via secure video sessions.

No. Myofunctional therapy is a holistic practice rooted in neuromuscular reeducation of the tongue, mouth, and face through therapeutic exercises. It is not a medical or dental practice; therefore, insurance does not cover myofunctional therapy. We thank you for your understanding that, in order to prioritize direct care, we do not file insurance claims or provide superbills.

Adults can start myofunctional therapy at any age—it’s never too late! Kids as young as 5-6 can start myofunctional therapy depending on maturity level and willingness to participate and commit to a full program. Kids age 3-5 can start “mini myo” which is an introduction to myofunctional therapy concepts through play. Mini myo is not goal oriented, as kids this young cannot be expected to have the awareness or ability to do a more structured program.

Yes, myofunctional therapy can be a helpful addition to other therapies and treatments. We coordinate with your care team (dentist, orthodontist, ENT, speech therapist, body worker, etc.) and provide transparent communication and collaboration to ensure everyone’s success in meeting your needs and goals.

Your myofunctional therapy program timeline depends on several factors specific to the individual including compliance, schedule, and coordination of any other concurrent dental or orthodontic treatments. Most people complete myofunctional therapy in ~14 sessions spread over 4-6 months for adults and 6-12 months for children.

No. Myofunctional therapy works because it’s based in neuromuscular reeducation of the muscles of the tongue, mouth, and face. Through consistent repetition of prescribed exercises, the brain maps new neural pathways and establishes new movement patterns. We work on integrating these new patterns and habits into your daily life so they become second nature and you no longer need to do daily exercises. Once optimal function is established, your everyday activities like talking, eating, drinking, singing, humming, etc. are enough exercise for your tongue. Myofunctional therapy is much more than exercises, it’s repatterning oral function to optimize breathing, eating, and sleeping – for life.

Yes. Myofunctional therapy plays a vital role in achieving optimal and lasting results for dental and orthodontic work including palate expansion, braces/clear aligners, and frenectomy (tongue tie release).

Myofunctional therapy is necessary both before and after tongue tie release to restore proper oral resting posture and optimize oral function.

It’s important to begin retraining the muscles of the tongue before the release to prepare the tongue to function properly in its full range of motion after the release. Immediately after the tongue tie release, myofunctional therapy is crucial to the active wound management stage to avoid scarring and ensure proper healing. Once fully healed, resuming your regular myofunctional therapy program with a fully functional tongue will allow for progress and success at achieving the goals of myofunctional therapy.