When you experience an orofacial disorder as an adult it can often be challenging, interfering with your everyday life. The good news is that a course of orofacial myology exercises may help you address these concerns.

Common issues we see in adults include:

• Lip and/or tongue tie restrictions leading to incorrect muscle function and symptoms such as facial/jaw/neck pain
• Sleep disorders and snoring, which may be associated with airway musculature and tongue resting position
• Jaw / TMJ pain
• Open mouth breathing
• Oral habits such as nail-biting

When people are in pain, they recruit additional muscles to do the everyday activities of chewing, swallowing, speech, and facial expression. This can increase pain and excessive strain in the joint and muscles.

Identifying and treating muscle dysfunction by toning and strengthening the muscles may help reduce pain and improve range of motion. Research suggests that some patients undergoing orofacial myology experience a reduction in pain, improved range of motion in their jaw, and reduced frequency and severity of signs and symptoms. Results vary between patients.

How can we help? 

To help you, we work on things such as:

• The position of your tongue and lips when at rest
• Chewing and swallowing patterns
• The way you breathe
• Strengthening particular muscles
• Developing motor skills to improve your control over your orofacial muscles

We work alongside our experienced dentists to support positive outcomes for your treatment, whether that be for a lip and/or tongue tie release, TMJ pain, orthodontics, or snoring laser treatment.

Frenectomy and laser procedures are provided by Dr Hany Aziz (DEN0000989492), Registered Dentist.

The most important thing to remember is that you are working towards a long-term goal of improving your comfort and function.

Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.