Oral Myology

At Grow Paediatrics, we assess and treat how the muscles of the face, lips, tongue and jaw function during breathing, eating and speaking.

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Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT) addresses patterns such as:

  • Mouth breathing
  • Open mouth posture
  • Tongue thrust
  • Drooling
  • Inefficient chewing
  • Speech clarity differences
  • Prolonged dummy or thumb sucking habits

These patterns can influence airway development, dental alignment, feeding progression and sleep quality.

Research indicates that chronic mouth breathing and altered tongue posture may impact craniofacial growth and airway health (Jefferson, 2010; Guilleminault et al., 2016). Early support can help establish more efficient long-term patterns

We commonly support

  • Infants with low tone or open mouth posture
  • Toddlers with drooling or messy eating
  • Preschoolers with unclear speech
  • Children who snore or breathe through their mouth
  • Children with orthodontic or airway concerns
  • Children with developmental delays or complex needs

Assessment includes:

  • Resting mouth posture
  • Nasal vs mouth breathing
  • Tongue position and swallow pattern
  • Lip closure and jaw stability
  • Chewing coordination

Therapy is functional, play-based and integrated into daily routines.

We collaborate with dentists, orthodontists, paediatricians and ENTs where appropriate.