Thumb and dummy sucking often start as natural, comforting habits — but when they stick around beyond the early years, they can begin to affect more than just comfort. Persistent sucking can place pressure on the developing teeth, jaw, and face, sometimes leading to bite changes, speech concerns, or swallowing patterns that don’t function as they should.

These habits can be tricky to break, especially when they’re tied to emotion or routine. That’s where Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy comes in. I work with families to gently guide children through habit elimination, while also strengthening the muscles and patterns needed for proper breathing, swallowing, and oral rest. It’s a positive, supportive approach that focuses on long-term function — not just stopping the habit.

Some oral habits are easy to spot — like thumb or dummy sucking that lingers past infancy. Others, like tongue or lip ties, can go unnoticed for years while quietly interfering with speaking, breathing, feeding, and overall oral development.

Both habits and restrictions can impact the way muscles in the face and mouth work. Prolonged sucking can influence jaw growth, tooth position, and swallowing patterns, while undiagnosed ties may limit tongue movement, affect sleep and breathing, or contribute to tension and compensations across the face and neck.

Evaluation always looks at more than appearance — it’s about how well everything is functioning. Not every tie needs treatment, but when release is needed, I work collaboratively with skilled providers to guide you through the process. Most importantly, I provide therapy before and after the release to help re-train movement, avoid reattachment, and build strong, healthy function from the start.

What starts as a simple habit — like thumb sucking or dummy use — can sometimes affect much more than we realise. These early oral behaviors, combined with structural restrictions like tongue or lip ties, may quietly influence how a person swallows, speaks, or even breathes.

Mouth breathing, in particular, often develops as a way to compensate. Whether due to blocked nasal passages, low tongue posture, or years of habit, breathing through the mouth can disrupt sleep, concentration, facial development, and overall health. The causes aren’t always obvious — and are frequently overlooked.

That’s where a functional evaluation makes all the difference. I look not only at how things appear, but at how well the muscles and structures are working together. If needed, I may recommend collaboration with ENT specialists or dental professionals to explore airway issues more deeply.

Through personalised therapy, I help retrain nasal breathing, correct dysfunctional habits, and prepare clients for procedures (like tie releases) where necessary. The result? Healthier breathing, better oral function, and a more balanced foundation for lifelong wellbeing.!

From early habits like thumb or dummy sucking to more subtle issues like tongue ties or mouth breathing, the way our mouth and facial muscles function can have lasting effects. These patterns are often picked up in childhood — and if left unaddressed, can lead to challenges with swallowing, speech, dental development, and even posture or sleep.

One common result of poor muscle coordination is a forward pushing of the tongue during swallowing — often called a tongue thrust. This motion may seem minor, but over time, it can shift teeth, impact bite alignment, and complicate orthodontic results. Many clients aren’t even aware they do it!

My role as an Orofacial Myofunctional Therapist is to assess these patterns as a whole — not in isolation. I look at how the tongue rests, how the lips seal, and how a person breathes when they’re not thinking about it. Then, I create a therapy plan to retrain the muscles involved in breathing, swallowing, and resting posture — helping the tongue find its ideal position and function.

This kind of therapy is especially valuable before or during orthodontic treatment, or following a tongue-tie release or nasal surgery. It builds the muscle memory needed to maintain results and supports long-term oral health — from function to form.

When it comes to sleep and overall wellbeing, what’s happening inside the mouth can have a bigger impact than many people realise. Early oral habits like thumb sucking, structural restrictions like tongue or lip ties, and poor breathing patterns can all contribute to interrupted sleep — from infancy to adulthood.

Children who breathe through their mouth at night, snore, grind their teeth, or sleep restlessly may be showing signs of airway dysfunction or muscle imbalance. These issues can affect mood, focus, growth, and even behaviour. In adults, improper tongue posture or muscle fatigue in the mouth and throat can contribute to snoring, fragmented sleep, and feelings of exhaustion, even after a full night's rest.

Myofunctional therapy works by retraining the muscles of the face, tongue, and airway to support nasal breathing and healthy swallowing patterns — both critical for restful, restorative sleep. Whether you're preparing for a tongue-tie release, seeking help before orthodontic treatment, or simply wondering why sleep feels broken, a functional assessment is a great first step.

Together, we build strong, balanced muscle function that supports easier breathing, better sleep, and healthier habits that last a lifetime.

Jaw discomfort, clicking, tension, or pain that spreads into the neck or head can often be traced back to how the muscles around the jaw — not just the joint itself — are functioning. These muscles are involved in everything from chewing and swallowing to breathing and speech. When they’re overworked, unbalanced, or compensating for other problems (like poor oral habits, ties, or mouth breathing), pain and dysfunction can follow.

What might begin as something simple — a lingering dummy habit, a tight tongue tie, or mouth breathing — can lead to long-term strain on the muscles and joints of the face. The result? Painful chewing, limited jaw movement, clenching, fatigue, or even disturbed sleep.

Myofunctional therapy focuses on restoring balance to these muscles and retraining the way they work together. This includes improving tongue posture, breathing patterns, and swallowing mechanics — all of which reduce unnecessary strain on the jaw. Whether you’ve been diagnosed with TMD, are experiencing unexplained facial pain, or are preparing for other interventions like orthodontics or airway surgery, this therapy can be a crucial part of your recovery and long-term health.

Relief often begins by understanding how all the pieces fit together — and then gently, intentionally retraining them.

Our facial muscles play a big role not only in how we look but in how we breathe, speak, swallow, and even sleep. Like any other muscles in the body, they can weaken or lose tone over time, especially when habits or restrictions limit their natural movement.

Orofacial myofunctional therapy gently reactivates and strengthens these muscles, helping to restore balance and improve function. This isn’t about quick fixes or cosmetic gimmicks — it’s about supporting the natural health of your face and mouth, improving muscle coordination, and encouraging symmetry in movement.

Whether you’re recovering from jaw pain, managing breathing or swallowing challenges, or simply want to refresh tired muscles for better overall wellness, facial fitness through myofunctional therapy can make a meaningful difference.