Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy
in Menlo Park & San Jose, CA
Supporting Healthy Breathing
& Quality of Life
Every movement in the mouth, from how we breathe and chew to how we speak, relies on the muscles of the face, tongue, and jaw. When these muscles don’t function properly, it can affect everything from breathing to overall health and development.
At Peninsula Associates Speech Therapy Services, we offer expert orofacial myofunctional therapy to help children, teens, and adults develop strong oral habits for lifelong health and well-being.
What Is Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy?
Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT) is a specialized treatment that focuses on the muscles of the mouth, face, and jaw. It sounds like a mouthful, but it’s easier to understand when you break it down:
- Oro– simply means “mouth”
- Facial means “of or relating to the face”
- Myo- means “muscle”
- Functional means “the way something works”
When you put it all together, orofacial myofunctional simply means, “the way the muscles of the mouth and face work together.” OMT ensures these muscles can work together for everyday activities like breathing, chewing, swallowing, and speaking.
Curious if OMT is Right for You? Request a Free Phone Consultation
Who Can Benefit from Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy?
This specialized type of therapy can help children, teens,
and adults who experience:
- Limited movement due to lip and/or tongue tie
- Tongue thrust
- Chronic mouth breathing
- Difficulty chewing or swallowing
- Pain in the face, especially in the jaw joints
- Speech or articulation challenges
- Sleep-disordered breathing or snoring
- Persistent drooling
Recognize These Symptoms? Connect with Our OMT Specialists
Our Approach to Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy
At Peninsula Associates Speech Therapy Services, we take a holistic approach to therapy. We work closely with clients and their families (as well as with dentists, orthodontists, and other healthcare providers) to ensure treatment is integrated, effective, and customized to meet each individual’s needs.
Our skilled clinicians are certified in:
- Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders
- TalkTools
We combine our clinical expertise with a warm, collaborative environment where clients feel supported. OMT is designed to be practical, functional, and focused on goals that improve your everyday life.
Benefits of Speech Therapy for Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders
With personalized treatment, clients often experience:
- Improved tongue posture & swallowing patterns
- Increased oral muscle control & coordination
- Appropriate tongue resting posture
- Better breathing and nasal airflow
- Improved sleep quality
- Increased self-confidence during meals and conversations
Ready for Improved Oral Function? Start Myofunctional Therapy Today!
Why Choose Peninsula Associates Speech Therapy Services?
Peninsula Associates Speech Therapy Services has been a leader in speech-language therapy in the Bay Area since 1978. Our clinicians bring decades of experience and advanced training in specialized techniques. We stay current with the latest research and best practices to deliver the highest quality of care available to our clients.
Our reputation for excellence is built on our professionalism, compassion, and dedication to our clients. Whether you’re seeking help for your child or yourself, our team is ready to support you and empower your long-term success.
Frequently Asked Questions
What signs might suggest someone could benefit from orofacial myofunctional therapy?
Orofacial myofunctional therapy may benefit children, teens, or adults who have difficulty with tongue posture, mouth breathing, chewing, swallowing, speech clarity, or oral muscle coordination. Some people may notice habits such as an open-mouth posture (mouth breathing), tongue thrust, messy eating, difficulty keeping the tongue in the correct resting position, or ongoing speech concerns related to oral movement patterns.
At Peninsula Associates Speech Therapy Services (PASTS), our approach focuses on improving functional oral movement patterns that support clearer speech, more efficient swallowing, improved breathing habits, and overall oral function in daily life. Therapy is personalized based on each client’s individual needs and goals.
Can orofacial myofunctional therapy help with tongue posture, mouth breathing, and swallowing patterns?
Yes. Orofacial myofunctional therapy is designed to support healthier oral movement patterns, including tongue posture, breathing, lip closure, and swallowing function. Therapy may help individuals who primarily breathe through their mouth, have difficulty maintaining proper tongue resting posture, or use inefficient swallowing patterns such as tongue thrust.
At PASTS, therapy focuses on improving strength, coordination, awareness, and functional use of the oral muscles through individualized exercises and practical strategies. Our goal is to help clients develop more natural and efficient patterns that support speech, breathing, swallowing, and overall oral function in everyday life.
Do you work with children and adults for myofunctional therapy?
Yes. Peninsula Associates Speech Therapy Services (PASTS) provides orofacial myofunctional therapy for both children and adults. Oral movement patterns, breathing habits, tongue posture, and swallowing function can affect people differently at various stages of life, so therapy is individualized based on each client’s age, needs, and goals.
For children, therapy may focus on developing healthy oral habits and supporting speech or feeding-related concerns. For teens and adults, therapy may address long-standing oral movement patterns, mouth breathing, swallowing difficulties, speech clarity, or concerns identified by dental or medical providers. Our approach remains functional, personalized, and focused on real-life carryover across daily routines.
Do I need a referral from a dentist, orthodontist, or ENT before starting treatment?
A referral is not always required to begin orofacial myofunctional therapy at PASTS. Some clients are referred by dentists, orthodontists, ENTs, physicians, or other providers, while others contact us directly because they have concerns about breathing patterns, tongue posture, swallowing, or oral function.
If collaboration with another provider would benefit treatment, our speech-language pathologists are happy to coordinate care with the appropriate professionals. We value a collaborative approach that supports consistent care across settings while keeping therapy individualized to each client’s needs, goals, and functional daily challenges.
How long does a typical course of treatment last for myofunctional issues?
The length of orofacial myofunctional therapy varies based on the client’s age, goals, consistency with home practice, and the specific oral movement patterns being addressed. Some individuals may benefit from shorter-term therapy, while others may require a longer course of treatment to support lasting changes in tongue posture, breathing patterns, swallowing function, or oral muscle coordination.
At PASTS, therapy plans are individualized and adjusted based on each client’s progress over time. Consistent attendance, daily carryover, and collaboration between the client, family, and therapist can all help support meaningful progress throughout the treatment process.
Still Have Questions? Contact Us Directly
Reach Out Today to Get Started
If you or your loved one is struggling with breathing or speech issues, we’re here to help. Contact Peninsula Associates Speech Therapy Services today to schedule an appointment. Our clinicians will work with you to create a personalized treatment plan that supports your well-being.