Pediatric Myofunctional Therapy in Alberta
Tongue Thrust, Mouth Breathing & Orthodontic Stability Support
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At Tip of the Tongue, we provide pediatric myofunctional therapy in Central Alberta, serving families in Red Deer, Sylvan Lake, and surrounding Alberta communities.
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Our work supports healthy tongue posture, swallowing patterns, nasal breathing, and long-term dental and airway development.
We help children experiencing:
• Tongue thrust
• Mouth breathing
• Speech distortion
• Snoring or restless sleep
• Orthodontic relapse
• Orofacial myofunctional disorders (OMDs)
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By addressing oral function at its foundation, we support clearer speech, improved breathing patterns, and more stable orthodontic outcomes.
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Start With a Comprehensive Evaluation
Signs Your Child May Benefit from Myofunctional Therapy
• The tongue rests low or forward in the mouth
• The tongue pushes against the teeth during swallowing
• Persistent articulation errors (s, z, r, t, d, l, ch, j)
• Open-mouth posture during the day
• Snoring or restless sleep at night
• Orthodontic treatment that appears unstable
• A history of thumb sucking or prolonged oral habits
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A comprehensive pediatric myofunctional evaluation can clarify whether oral rest posture and swallow patterns are contributing factors.
What Is an Orofacial Myofunctional Disorder?
(OMD)
An orofacial myofunctional disorder (OMD) describes abnormal function of the tongue, lips, and facial muscles during rest and swallowing.
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Oral rest posture refers to where the tongue sits when a child is not talking or eating. Ideally:
• The tongue rests on the roof of the mouth
• The lips remain gently closed
• The jaw is relaxed
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When the tongue rests low or presses against/between the teeth in poor oral resting posture, speech development, airway support, and orthodontic stability can be impacted.
Why Oral Rest Posture Matters
Speech & Articulation Development
Speech begins from rest.
When the tongue rests low instead of on the palate, it must travel further to produce clear sounds. This may contribute to:​
• Muffled or unclear speech
• “Marbles in the mouth” quality
• Persistent articulation errors
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Addressing oral rest posture can significantly support traditional speech therapy outcomes.
Dental & Orthodontic Stability
The tongue, lips, cheeks, and teeth function
as a coordinated system.
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When muscle balance is disrupted:​
• Dental arches may narrow
• Bite development may shift
• Orthodontic treatment may progress more slowly
• Relapse risk may increase
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Pediatric myofunctional therapy is often used alongside orthodontic care to support long-term stability.
Sleep, Airway & Growth
Healthy sleep depends on stable nasal breathing
and proper tongue posture.
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When the tongue rests low or mouth breathing becomes habitual, airway support during sleep may be reduced.
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This may contribute to:
• Snoring
• Restless sleep
• Teeth grinding
• Morning fatigue
• Difficulty with focus or attention
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While myofunctional therapy does not replace medical management for sleep-disordered breathing, it can support functional airway stability as part of a collaborative care plan.
Airway & Facial Growth
Facial growth is influenced by function.
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When the tongue rests on the palate and nasal breathing is consistent, this supports:
• Healthy dental arch development
• Balanced facial growth
• Improved airway space
• More predictable orthodontic outcomes
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Chronic mouth breathing and tongue thrust patterns may increase orthodontic complexity over time.
Important Medical Disclaimer
If sleep-disordered breathing or obstructive sleep apnea is suspected, medical evaluation is essential. Pediatric myofunctional therapy supports functional muscle patterns but does not replace medical diagnosis or treatment.
What Contributes to:
Tongue Thrust & Mouth Breathing?
Orofacial myofunctional disorders are typically multifactorial.
Common contributing factors include:
• Chronic mouth breathing
• Enlarged tonsils or adenoids
• Allergies affecting nasal airflow
• Thumb sucking or prolonged oral habits
• Tongue-tie (ankyloglossia)
• Clenching or grinding
• Developmental or neurological factors
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​A comprehensive pediatric myofunctional therapy assessment helps identify your child’s specific contributing factors.
What to Expect
Initial Pediatric Myofunctional Assessment
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• Comprehensive oral function evaluation
• Oral rest posture and swallow assessment
• Breathing and airway screening
• Review of orthodontic history
• Individualized treatment plan​
Therapy
Program
• Tongue posture retraining
• Swallow pattern correction
• Muscle coordination exercises
• Habit elimination strategies
• Collaboration with orthodontists, dentists, and physicians when appropriate
Faq's
Serving Families Across Central Alberta
We provide pediatric myofunctional therapy in:
• Red Deer
• Sylvan Lake
• Central Alberta
• Virtual services available across Alberta
If your child is experiencing tongue thrust, mouth breathing, speech distortion, sleep concerns, or orthodontic instability, early intervention can support long-term stability.
Schedule a Pediatric Myofunctional Assessment Today