If you've heard the term orofacial myofunctional therapy (OMT) and weren't quite sure what it means, you're not alone. OMT is a specialized therapy that retrains the muscles of the mouth, face, and tongue—and at Gettysburg OMT, part of Gettysburg Dental Associates (GDA), we use it to help kids build healthy oral habits that lay the foundation for a lifetime of strong smiles.

So, what does treatment actually work toward? Here's a look at the four core goals of OMT and why each one matters.

1. Improved Nasal Breathing

Breathing through your nose comes naturally for many. It filters, warms, and humidifies the air before it reaches the lungs. It also supports proper jaw development and helps maintain healthy oxygen levels during sleep.

But many children fall into a pattern of mouth breathing, often without anyone realizing it. Over time, chronic mouth breathing can affect the shape of the jaw, the alignment of the teeth, and even the quality of a child's sleep. OMT helps identify what's driving that pattern and helps retrain the muscles so nasal breathing becomes the default.

2. Sealed Lips

Lip seal goes hand in hand with nasal breathing. When the lips rest together naturally and comfortably, it signals that the airway is functioning well and the surrounding muscles are doing their job. When lips are habitually parted at rest, it's often a sign that the muscles aren't quite where they need to be.

Poor lip seal can contribute to dry mouth, increased risk of cavities, and changes in facial development over time. Through targeted exercises, OMT helps children develop the muscle tone and awareness to keep their lips gently closed at rest.

3. Proper Tongue Posture

Where does your child's tongue rest when their mouth is closed? If the answer is anywhere other than lightly pressed against the roof of the mouth, there may be room for improvement.

Proper tongue posture—with the tongue resting on the palate—supports normal jaw growth and plays a role in clear speech. When the tongue habitually rests low or presses against the teeth, it can create pressure that shifts teeth out of alignment and affects jaw development.

For children and adults who have already gone through orthodontic treatment, poor tongue posture can cause teeth to shift back after braces. OMT retrains that resting position so the tongue can support your oral health.

4. Correct Swallowing Patterns

Most people swallow somewhere between 500 and 700 times a day without giving it a second thought. But the mechanics of how we swallow matter more than you might expect.

In a healthy swallow, the tongue presses against the roof of the mouth as food or liquid moves back. In an atypical swallow (sometimes called a tongue thrust), the tongue pushes forward against or between the teeth instead.

Given its frequency, correcting swallowing patterns is one of the most important goals of OMT. With time, we can correct habits and improve oral function.

Bringing These Goals Together

What makes OMT so effective is that these four goals aren't isolated. Mouth breathing, poor lip seal, low tongue posture, and atypical swallowing are interrelated. If your child is struggling with one, there's a good chance others are present too.

That's what makes a holistic approach so valuable. Rather than addressing each concern separately, OMT works on all of them at once, retraining the muscle patterns at the root of the issue.

One Location, One Team, Lots of Healthy Smiles

Gettysburg OMT is proud to be part of GDA, a practice built to meet your family's full range of dental needs. From specialized pediatric care and general dentistry to orthodontics and myofunctional therapy, our team coordinates your family's care under one roof.

If you think your child might benefit from myofunctional therapy, we'd love to talk. Contact us today to learn more or schedule a consultation. Healthy habits start early, and we're here to help build them.