Orofacial Myofunctional Disorder

Orofacial myofunctional disorders are variations from the normal function of the muscles associated with the mouth and include the following:

  • Abnormal tongue rest posture
  • Abnormal swallow
  • Lack of a lip seal (this can cause abnormal tongue rest posture)
  • Abnormal chewing

Poor oral habits include, but are not limited to:

  • thumb or finger sucking
  • blanket or clothes sucking
  • lip sucking
  • lip licking
  • lip biting
  • lip pursing or tightening
  • soother or pacifier use
  • pen or pencil biting
  • nail biting
  • abnormal tongue rest posture
  • abnormal swallow
  • mouth breathing
  • overuse of facial muscles with chewing and swallowing
  • open mouth chewing

These orofacial myofunctional disorders appear to adversely affect the growth of the face and the teeth.