From Snoring to Smiling: One Child's Journey Through Myofunctional Therapy

Dr. Dina Chehab
May 22
3 min read

Updated: May 27

When 6-year-old Lucas first came to Urbana Pediatric Dentistry, his parents were concerned about his loud snoring and constant daytime fatigue. What began as a routine dental visit led us to discover he needed myofunctional therapy—a specialized treatment that would ultimately transform his sleep, speech, and smile.

Recognizing the Hidden Clues

During Lucas's initial exam, his mom mentioned his restless sleep and difficulty concentrating in school. She also noted that he always breathed through his mouth—even while eating—and had a persistent open-mouth posture. I took a closer look at Lucas's oral and facial structure and immediately noted a few key red flags:

A narrow, high-arched palate
Anterior open bite
Tongue resting low and forward
Signs of tongue thrust during swallowing
Dry lips and mild gingivitis—common in mouth breathers

These are all hallmark indicators of an orofacial myofunctional disorder (OMD), a condition that affects the proper function of the muscles in the face and mouth. The symptoms often go unnoticed or are misattributed to behavioral or developmental issues.

Connecting the Dots: Why Myofunctional Therapy?

Lucas's snoring and daytime fatigue pointed toward possible sleep-disordered breathing. A comprehensive evaluation revealed that he had developed habits like mouth breathing and tongue thrusting that were interfering with his normal orofacial development. His parents were surprised to learn that these muscle dysfunctions could affect not just his dental alignment, but his quality of sleep, behavior, and even academic performance.

That's where myofunctional therapy came in.

I explained that while orthodontic treatment might help align the teeth, it wouldn't address the root cause of Lucas's issues. Myofunctional therapy for crowded teeth, on the other hand, could retrain his oral muscles, promote nasal breathing, and support proper jaw and facial development—offering long-term benefits that traditional orthodontics alone couldn't provide.

The Therapy Journey: Personalized, Playful, and Purposeful

Lucas began a tailored myofunctional therapy program with a certified therapist we frequently collaborate with. His exercises included:

Tongue push-ups to improve posture and tone
Nasal breathing drills to strengthen airway function
"Spot" training to teach correct tongue resting position
Swallow retraining to eliminate tongue thrust

To keep Lucas engaged, his therapist incorporated games, charts, and parental rewards. As part of his routine, he also started using a Myo Munchee, a chewable device that helps activate orofacial muscles and encourage nasal breathing—particularly important for children who are still developing their chewing patterns and oral motor skills.

The Transformation: From Fatigue to Flourishing

Within just a few weeks, Lucas's parents noticed subtle but meaningful changes. His mouth stayed closed at rest, his lips weren't as dry, and his posture improved. By the three-month mark, Lucas was sleeping through the night without snoring, waking up refreshed, and paying better attention in class. He even began speaking more clearly, and mealtimes became less messy.

The most visible change? His smile—relaxed, confident, and natural. But the real success was behind the scenes: improved breathing, better sleep, and a body functioning in harmony.

Why This Matters: The Bigger Picture of Pediatric Health

Lucas's story is one of many we see every year. Myofunctional therapy isn't just about correcting oral habits—it's about unlocking a child's full potential by addressing the root causes of dysfunction. By integrating this therapy with pediatric dental care, we can promote:

Proper jaw growth and development
Better facial balance and symmetry
Enhanced sleep quality and daytime alertness
Reduced need for extensive orthodontics later in life

Parents often don't realize that snoring, picky eating, speech delays, and behavioral challenges can all stem from orofacial muscle dysfunctions. In some cases, these issues may also be related to structural problems like tongue or lip ties that require frenectomy procedures to fully resolve.

As a pediatric dental specialist, I feel it's my responsibility to help families understand that these issues are treatable—and that early intervention makes all the difference.

What You Can Do Next

If your child snores, breathes through their mouth, or has difficulty with eating or speech, don't dismiss these signs. Talk to Dr. Dina by scheduling an evaluation with our team at Urbana Pediatric Dentistry. We're here to support your child's development from the inside out—one smile at a time.

Related Reading: