10/07/2026
Some mouths have less space than others. A narrow palate, for example, leaves the tongue less room to rest up, and orthodontic or palatal expansion treatment is one way to address that. But not everyone wants or is ready for that route, and that’s a valid choice.
Structure isn’t the only thing that affects how you breathe, rest, and swallow. The muscles of the tongue, lips, and soft palate also play a big part, and muscles can be retrained. Even when the space is limited, we can improve how the tongue rests, how well the lips seal, and how the airway muscles respond, so you get the most out of the structure you have.
Myofunctional therapy doesn’t change bone structure. It works on function, and it can sit alongside orthodontic care now, later, or not at all.
Here is what we work on in myofunctional therapy:
👅 Tongue: Targeted exercises to lift the tip and back of the tongue to the palate, build strength and endurance, and retrain a resting posture with the tongue up and the lips closed.
🌬️ Soft palate: The soft palate is a muscular tissue at the back of the roof of the mouth. We use specific lifting and sound-based exercises to improve its tone and control, which supports airway stability, especially during sleep.
👄 Lips and breathing: Lip seal training and nasal breathing practice so the new posture holds throughout the day and night.
🍽️ Swallowing: Retraining the swallow pattern so the tongue isn’t pushing forward against the teeth.
The goal is a tongue that rests up, a stronger airway, and better comfort and function within the structure you have.
Please reach out if you have any questions!