Greetings from North Carolina! I attended the 2018 IAOM convention this weekend with my friend, Kristin Good, from Berks Myo Spot, LLC www.berksmyospot.com , and it was well worth really long drive together. We have learned SO MUCH about sleep disordered breathing,...
Have you ever heard of the “deep front line”? It’s the body’s myofascial core, connecting the tongue to the feet. (Check out the video below to learn more.) The body is a series of interconnected hard and soft tissue. It’s no surprise...
I have been busy traveling the east coast in the past few months, attending THREE different myofunctional therapy-related continuing education courses! I started in MD with Ellen Carlin’s Tongue Tie & Oral Dysfunction: Clinical Applications course, where the...
I’ve heard of well-meaning dentists and orthodontists giving patients an exercise here or there in an attempt to resolve a tongue thrust. I wish it were that easy. A tongue thrust is a sign of a larger problem known as an “orofacial myofunctional...
Generally speaking, there are 3 ways to replace a missing tooth: a denture, dental implant, or dental bridge. Let’s consider the implications a tongue thrust and poor oral resting posture could have on each of the three options listed. 1. Dentures Dentures can...
I believe in evidence-based medicine. I just came across an interesting research article in an oromyofunctional study group, and it’s too great not to share! This particular article retrospectively assessed patients who had previously undergone orthognathic...
There are a number of Certified Orofacial Myologists™ out there. Why choose me? I understand what you’re dealing with. I understand that it’s difficult to give up bad habits. I used a pacifier myself when I was younger. I understand what it’s like to...
Yes! We treat adults and children alike because orofacial myofunctional disorders afflict adults and children. My goal is to make therapy as fun as possible for everyone! If it’s not fun, you won’t stick with the program, and if you don’t stick with...
I just wanted to share this great article by Dianne Fonssagrives, MS, CCC-SLP, COM™ that explains why a child’s tongue thrust is best treated by a Certified Orofacial Myologist™ rather than the school’s Speech/Language Pathologist (SLP). In this article,...
There can be some benefits to pacifier use. For example, research shows pacifiers might help decrease the incidence of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The ideal time to start using a pacifier is after breast feeding has been well-established (to reduce the chance...
Orofacial myofunctional therapy (OMT) is a combination of pre-feeding therapy, feeding therapy, and Oral Placement Therapy (OPT) with the ultimate goals being the establishment of a correct oral rest posture and functional chewing/swallowing patterns. Please note that...
Do you have any patients that you’re really struggling with? Perhaps a long-term patient, who has experienced little improvement over the years? Maybe you should try something new. Have you considered the possibility of an underlying Orofacial Myofunctional...
Yesterday (February 17) was World Myofunctional Orofacial Therapy Day. The theme for 2018 is “Let’s Talk about Speech.” I do not have a speech background, but because I highly respect and work closely with many SLP practitioners, I am dedicating my...
Most children naturally begin the transition to a mature swallow at about 12 months, and usually the adult-like swallow is perfected by about 3 years of age. A tongue thrust is never normal. It is a sign of a larger problem, which we refer to as an “Orofacial...
At Pittsburgh Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy, LLC, we value continuing education and collaboration. Alyssa met with other therapists in PA, NJ, and MD yesterday for our quarterly study club meeting at the office of OMT of York. We’re constantly looking to...
I had recently seen a patient who was told by his orthodontist that the force of the tongue during the swallow is shifting his teeth. A few years ago, I might have agreed. What I’ve learned through my orofacial myology training is that the thrusting of a tongue...
Did you know that the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children receive an orthodontic screening by 7 years of age? That’s because orthodontics is not just about aligning teeth. It’s also about the preparing the jaw for the adult...
Certified Orofacial Myologists™ are trained in positive behavior modification to help children stop oral habits, like finger sucking, on their own (typically for ages 5+). Lecturing or nagging your child on finger sucking habits can increase tension, frustration, and...
Oral habit appliances, including fangs, spikes, spurs, and palatal cribs, may seem like a fast and easy way to correct a tongue thrust habit, but Certified Orofacial Myologists™ offer a better, long-term solution. These orthodontic habit appliances don’t address...
