More parents across Australia, especially those in family-focused communities like Dandenong North, are beginning to explore a little-known yet powerful therapy: orofacial myofunctional therapy . As concerns grow around mouth breathing, crowded teeth, and childhood sleep issues, this type of therapy is being recognized as an early intervention tool that can support both dental health and overall development. But what is it exactly, and why are dental teams and parents alike talking more about it? A Closer Look at Myofunctional Therapy Myofunctional therapy is a form of neuromuscular retraining specifically targeting the muscles of the face, tongue, jaw, and neck. These muscles play a crucial role in everyday functions such as breathing, swallowing, chewing, and speaking. Through a series of guided exercises, this therapy helps address underlying oral habits that may impact a child’s development. Some of the most common conditions it aims to improve include: Chronic mouth breathing Tongue thrusting Low tongue posture Improper swallowing patterns Narrow jaw development or misalignment While the therapy is not new, it has gained more attention as research continues to link oral muscle function with facial growth, airway development, and even behavioural outcomes in children. Why It’s Becoming Part of Holistic Dental Care Traditionally, dentistry has focused on teeth, but more practices are shifting toward a broader view of oral health Balanced Smiles, a family dental clinic based in Dandenong North, is one example of a provider incorporating this wider perspective. Their team prioritises early, preventative care that considers the root causes behind dental concerns especially when it comes to children's breathing patterns, facial growth, or orthodontic issues. Myofunctional therapy fits naturally into this type of practice model. For instance, a child who habitually breathes through their mouth may not only struggle with dry mouth or poor sleep, but also develop a narrow jaw and crowded teeth over time. Addressing muscle function in these cases can support more stable orthodontic outcomes and reduce the risk of relapse after braces. The Connection Between Breathing, Sleep, and Behaviour One of the key reasons more parents are becoming curious about myofunctional therapy is its link to sleep health. Mouth breathing during sleep, even in young children, has been associated with: Snoring or restless sleep Daytime fatigue or hyperactivity Poor concentration Bedwetting Slower growth Rather than simply treating the symptoms, such as snoring or misaligned teeth, myofunctional therapy helps address the root: how the tongue and jaw are functioning. By combining this therapy with other early interventions, clinics like Balanced Smiles aim to support not only dental development but also better breathing, better sleep, and better quality of life for children. Who Might Benefit Although commonly introduced during childhood, myofunctional therapy is used across all age groups. It may benefit: Children with delayed speech, open-mouth posture, or thumb sucking Teens who have had braces and want more stable results Adults with mild sleep apnea, TMJ dysfunction, or poor oral posture Patients recovering from tongue tie (frenectomy) procedures The therapy is most effective when paired with support from an airway-aware dental team that understands how muscle function interacts with structure and development. What to Watch for at Home Parents don’t need to be experts to notice red flags. A few early signs that may warrant a myofunctional assessment include: Open-mouth breathing during the day or night Snoring or noisy sleep Frequent dry lips or drooling Tongue peeking between the teeth when swallowing Lisp or unclear speech Teeth crowding at an early age If these patterns persist beyond toddlerhood, a preventive consultation with a dentist can be a good place to start. Clinics like Balanced Smiles offer children’s dentistry that focuses on early monitoring and developmental guidance, especially when it comes to how a child breathes, chews, and sleeps. A Collaborative Approach for Long-Term Health Myofunctional therapy isn’t a stand-alone solution, but it often plays an important role within a broader care plan. In many cases, it’s integrated with other services such as orthodontics, sleep dentistry, ENT care, or speech therapy. Because of this, it’s becoming increasingly common for modern family dental clinics to work closely with other healthcare professionals to provide families with a more complete picture. At Balanced Smiles, this kind of collaborative care is part of their mission: to offer gentle, long-term-focused dental care that grows with each child . From first check-ups to airway evaluations, their team is equipped to guide families through the early signs of oral dysfunction and provide support where it matters most. Where to Learn More While public awareness around myofunctional therapy is still growing, local practices are taking the lead in making it more accessible to families. Parents curious about this therapy or wondering if their child’s habits may point to a deeper issue can explore more through Balanced Smiles or reach out to their team to arrange an initial consultation. Their Dandenong North clinic serves families across the region, providing not just treatment, but education and early guidance for long-term oral health.