Myofunctional Therapy (MFT)
Most people never think about where their tongue rests, how they swallow, or whether they breathe through their nose or mouth. But these everyday habits can have a surprising impact on your teeth, jaw growth, sleep, and overall health.
Myofunctional therapy helps retrain the muscles of the tongue, lips, and face through simple exercises that promote proper breathing, swallowing, and oral posture. By correcting these habits, patients can support healthier dental development, improve orthodontic outcomes, and build a stronger foundation for long-term oral health.
Your journey to a healthier smile may start with something as simple as learning where your tongue belongs.
This treatment uses simple exercises to train the tongue, lips, and facial muscles to function properly.
Many dental issues come from incorrect tongue posture, mouth breathing, or improper swallowing. Myofunctional therapy helps correct these habits naturally.
It is especially helpful for children with:
Crooked/crowded teeth
Mouth breathing
Poor tongue posture
Speech issues
Benefits of Myofunctional Therapy
Correct oral muscle habits
Encourage healthy jaw growth
Improve sleep & breathing
Support long-term smile development
MFT and the Invisalign Palatal Expander
When a child's upper jaw is narrow, adult teeth can run out of room, and the tongue may have less space to rest on the roof of the mouth. Two kinds of care can help.
At Agape, myofunctional therapy (MFT) is done in-house, led by Dr Cathy, for children up to age 9. It uses simple exercises to retrain the muscles of the tongue, lips, and face. The aim is to support nasal breathing, a steadier tongue posture, and a healthier swallow.
Agape also offers the Invisalign Palatal Expander System. It is a different appliance from a traditional metal expander. Align Technology describes it as a series of custom, 3D-printed expanders that gradually widen a narrow upper jaw in growing children, to help make room for adult teeth. The expanders are removable, so they can be taken out for brushing and flossing, and they do not use a screw that has to be turned in the mouth each day. Each one is made to fit the child, from a digital scan, and is changed in small steps following a plan set by the treating dentist.
Whether the expander is used together with MFT is decided case by case, depending on the child. The expander is there to work on jaw width, while MFT works on breathing and tongue posture. Align notes that widening the upper jaw may also widen the nasal cavity and nasal airway, but the expander is not a treatment for medical airway problems. MFT is the part of care that helps a child practise breathing through the nose and resting the tongue against the palate. One does not replace the other.
This will not suit every child. At Agape, MFT is offered for children up to age 9. Suitability and timing of the Invisalign Palatal Expander depend on the child and are decided after an exam. If both are being considered, we will explain whether either, or both, may help, and how that sits with other options already offered here, including the Biobloc palatal expander.
If you have noticed mouth breathing, a tongue that sits low, crowding, or you have been told your child's upper jaw is narrow, you are welcome to chat with us on WhatsApp and ask about a visit.
It is Align Technology's series of custom, 3D-printed expanders for growing patients. They are designed to gradually widen a narrow upper jaw and help make room for adult teeth. The expanders are removable and do not use a screw that has to be turned in the mouth each day. This is not the same appliance as the Biobloc palatal expander already described on our expander page. Agape offers both.
They work on different things. The expander is for jaw width. MFT, which at Agape is done in-house and led by Dr Cathy for children up to age 9, is for the habits around breathing, tongue posture and swallowing. Align notes that widening the upper jaw may also widen the nasal cavity and nasal airway, but the expander is not a treatment for medical airway problems. Whether the two are used together is decided case by case, depending on the child, after an exam. One does not replace the other, and we cannot promise a particular result.
MFT at Agape is for children up to age 9. Suitability and timing of the Invisalign Palatal Expander depend on the child and are decided after an exam.
No. Our expander page describes a Palatal Expander (Biobloc). The Invisalign Palatal Expander System is a different device, made by Align Technology. Agape offers both.
No. Some children may be helped by MFT alone, some by an expander, some by both, and some by a different option. Whether they are used together is decided case by case, depending on the child. We will only suggest what fits the child after a visit. This is not suitable for every child.
Myofunctional Therapy Tools:
A Guide
These tools serve as key companions in our Myofunctional programme, helping you achieve a comfortable rest posture and improve your daily chewing habits:
Myobrace is a special appliance for the mouth that is used to train the lips to develop a strong seal. It also helps to lift the tongue up to the roof of the mouth, which enables proper breathing and swallowing habits.
My LM-Activator is a prefabricated silicone aligner for growing happy smiles: easy to use, gently supporting healthy and natural growth of the face and jaw.
Myo Munchee is a silicone tool that helps exercise the oral muscles and improve chewing and swallowing habits. Proper and active chewing on this oral.
Consult with Our Doctor
Taking the first step is easy, connect with us thru call or on WhatsApp—we look forward to speaking with you.