Have you ever wondered why you or your child only breathe through the mouth, struggle with swallowing, or have difficulty with certain speech sounds? You’re not alone. These concerns are often linked to the way the tongue, lips, and facial muscles work together, and that’s exactly where orofacial myofunctional therapy (OMT) comes in.

At Gettysburg Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy, part of Gettysburg Dental Associates, we help patients of all ages retrain the oral and facial muscles to support healthier breathing, swallowing, speaking, and sleeping.   

What Is Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy?

According to the Academy of Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy, OMT is a specialized, exercise-based approach that focuses on correcting improper tongue, lip, and facial muscle habits. When these muscles don’t function as they should, everything from eating and breathing to speaking and sleeping can be affected.

OMT uses a series of targeted exercises that retrain these muscles to work in harmony. The goal is to establish healthy patterns—such as resting the tongue in the right position, breathing through the nose, and swallowing correctly—which effectively support long-term oral and facial development.

Why Might You Need OMT?

You might be a candidate for OMT if you or your child experiences:

• Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)
• Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders
• Difficulty chewing or swallowing
• Teeth grinding
• Persistent mouth breathing
• Speech concerns
• Tongue-tie symptoms
• Orthodontic challenges

How Do Tongue, Lip, and Facial Muscle Habits Affect Your Health?

Nearly 1 in 12 U.S. children ages 3-17 has had a disorder related to voice, speech, language, or swallowing. The tongue and facial muscles play a much bigger role than people expect. Here’s how:

Breathing

A tongue that rests low in the mouth blocks proper airflow and encourages mouth breathing. Chronic mouth breathing can lead to dry mouth, enlarged tonsils, misaligned teeth, and even changes in facial development.

Swallowing

A proper swallow uses the tongue and lips in a coordinated way. When the tongue thrusts forward or sideways, it can affect digestion, speech, and tooth position.

Speech

Clear speech relies on tongue placement and control. A low-resting tongue or weak oral muscles may contribute to difficulty producing sounds such as /l/, /s/, /r/, and /th/.

Sleep

Muscle function affects the airway. A poorly positioned tongue can narrow the airway during sleep, contributing to snoring or restless sleep patterns. Improving muscle tone and proper oral posture can support better nighttime breathing.

Is OMT Just for Kids?

Not at all! While children frequently receive OMT to help correct early habits and guide developing structures, adults make excellent candidates for therapy, too.

For kids, OMT often addresses issues such as mouth breathing, thumb or finger sucking, tongue thrusting, or speech difficulties. Early intervention helps steer growth in a healthier direction.

For adults, therapy can help with chronic mouth breathing, jaw discomfort, sleep concerns, tongue-tie symptoms, orthodontic relapse, or long-standing swallowing patterns. Many adults are surprised to learn that habits they developed in childhood continue to affect their airway, speech, or bite today.

What Happens During a Typical Session

Therapy begins with a detailed evaluation to understand your breathing habits, tongue posture, and muscle function. From there, we create a fully personalized plan.

A typical OMT session includes simple, targeted exercises designed to strengthen and coordinate the tongue, lips, and facial muscles. Exercises may focus on breathing technique, posture, chewing patterns, or correct swallowing. Sessions are relaxed, interactive, and tailored to your exact needs.

The key is consistency, both in our office and at home. Your therapist will guide you through each step, ensuring you’re comfortable and confident with the exercises at home.

Why Choose Gettysburg OMT?

Our Myofunctional Therapists, Stacia Talkington and Jessica Layton, bring more than four decades of combined experience in oral care. Both have completed extensive training to provide the best care for our patients.

Our team is dedicated to helping patients of all ages breathe easier, speak more clearly, sleep better, and achieve their oral health goals. When you choose Gettysburg OMT, you're choosing experience, expertise, and a team that truly cares.

Caring For the Whole Family

At Gettysburg Dental Associates, we provide comprehensive care for the entire family—from pediatric dentistry and orthodontics to cosmetic dentistry and specialized OMT services. This whole-family approach means every patient receives coordinated care designed to support lifelong oral wellness.

Reach out today to schedule a consultation. We’d love to help you or your child breathe, speak, and sleep better.