Communication Works (speechtherapylincolnne.com) has increased its capacity to address orofacial myofunctional disorders (OMD), which can significantly impact oral health, facial development, speech and swallowing in the following ways:
- Dental: Light, constant tongue pressure against the teeth causes malocclusion, impacting teeth alignment and bite (e.g., crooked teeth, open bite). OMT can support orthodontic care.
- Articulation: Tongue weakness, positioning and range of motion directly impact speech sound production.
- Feeding and swallowing: Improper tongue placement and muscle coordination of the tongue, jaw, cheeks and lips can affect feeding and swallowing. Swallowing difficulties can include messy eating, excessive drooling and choking.
- Mouth breathing: Breathing through the nose is the desired way to breathe and has many benefits, including filtering, warming and humidifying the air. Mouth breathing can result from OMD and negatively impact oral health, oxygen intake and facial development.
Paige Leising and Celeste May are experienced speech-language pathologists with specialized training in orofacial myofunctional therapy (OMT) to assess and treat OMD. They collaborate with dentists and orthodontists to provide coordinated, effective services.
Contact Communication Works to determine if Paige and Celeste can help train your orofacial muscles, bringing them into balance to improve breathing, enhance swallowing for better digestion and oral health and/or support orthodontic care to maintain long-term results after braces or other dental treatments. Reach out to (402) 480-3152 or visit speechtherapylincolnne.com for information.