Natural Face Workouts & the Role of Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy

By Argie Pitsakis CCC-SLP, CLC

Have you ever considered if we need to hit the gym to work out our faces? Sounds like a pretty silly question, right? Well, in case you were wondering, let's just say the answer is a resounding "duh, no!" Our facial muscles undergo a natural workout through everyday activities like chewing, swallowing, and breathing. But why is this natural workout essential, and what happens when it doesn't occur?

Let's break it down:

Natural Facial Workouts:

Our facial muscles get exercised when we chew tough foods, swallow with our tongue pushing against the palate, and breathe through our nose as our tongue rests on the roof of our mouth. These functions, which happen hundreds of times a day, contribute to the optimal growth and function of our faces.

When Things Go Awry:

But what if a child isn't chewing tough foods, swallows with their tongue pushing against their teeth, breathes through their mouth, or rests their tongue low? These behaviors can lead to weakened muscles, jaw instability, improper oral motor patterns, and hindered jaw growth. The muscles of the face and mouth begin to compensate and a host of symptoms can arise such as difficulty managing a variety of food textures, speech sound errors, and sleep disordered breathing (e.g., snoring, childhood sleep apnea). 

The Role of Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy:

Orofacial myofunctional therapy (OMT) focuses on identifying and addressing the root causes of these behaviors through a multidisciplinary approach and aims to strengthen weakened muscles and rebuild proper oral motor patterns through targeted exercises and activities. These exercises and activities include both functional training by learning optimal chewing, swallowing, and breathing patterns and supplementary workouts that use tools such as Chewy Tubes ™ to develop jaw strength and stability or horn and whistle blowing to strengthen muscles of the lips, cheeks, and pharynx (throat). 

Orthodontic Intervention:

In certain instances, persistent parafunctional habits may necessitate orthodontic intervention to address issues such as improper upper and/or lower jaw growth or misalignment of the jaw. This highlights the importance of early intervention and addressing oral motor issues promptly. Learn more about the need for orthodontic intervention HERE

When OMT is No Longer Needed:

Once a child can comfortably chew tough foods, rest their tongue on the roof of their mouth with lips together, and breathe through their nose consistently, OMT is no longer necessary. At this point, the natural workout provided by these behaviors supports optimal facial growth and function.

While we don't need to hit the gym to work out our faces, ensuring that children engage in proper oral motor activities is crucial for their overall development. By understanding the importance of natural face workouts and addressing any issues early on, we can support healthy facial growth and function in children.

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