07/21/2025
What Are Some Of The Causes Of Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders?
OMDs rarely have a single cause but rather a combination of factors. The most commonly noted etiology of an OMD is an upper airway obstruction (e.g. enlarged adenoids and/or tonsils, chronic congestion, deviated septum, allergies) which impairs nasal breathing. When nasal breathing is impeded, the body naturally accommodates by relying on mouth breathing.
Long-term mouth breathing changes the natural resting position of the jaw, tongue and lips. This change in position can influence growth patterns of the maxilla and mandible often result in the development of significant malocclusion. Furthermore, long term mouth breathing compromises the natural process of breathing which relies on the nasal airway to cleanse and purify air for the pulmonary system and may lead to additional health concerns as well as functional challenges.
Evidence based practice suggests that OMDs may also develop as a result of:
Hypotonia (low tone)
Structural or physiological abnormalities such as cleft palate, or maxillary insufficiency
Tethered Oral Tissues (lingual, labial, buccal ties)
Neurological deficits
Developmental delays
Genetic predisposition
Birth trauma
It is crucial to first address what may be contributing to the persistence of an Orofacial Myofunctional Disorder before beginning treatment, as treatment may not be successful if the etiology persists. Orofacial Myologists/ Myofunctional Therapists can help you to determine what may be contributing to its presence and can help refer you to the appropriate medical and/or dental professionals to address these concerns.
