Covering IE/SGV/LA/OC - 714-696-8415
What is Myofunctional Therapy?
Myofunctional therapy is a holistic approach to treating dysfunctions of the mouth, tongue, neck, and face. It includes a series of simple, yet tailored exercises to strengthen and retrain the musculature of this area. The goal of myofunctional therapy is gaining AND retaining normal function to last a lifetime!
Our goal is to restore the highest quality of life by utilizing the body's natural restorative abilities. When needed, we collaborate with medical, dental, and body work practitioners to partner in your care. Contact us to find out more about our services and to discuss how we can help you.
Who can benefit from myofunctional therapy?
Children and adults may gain improvements in proper nasal breathing, restorative sleep, anxiety, and mood; breathing sleep disorders such as snoring & sleep apnea; respiratory issues such as allergies & asthma; digestive issues such as chewing, swallowing, and acid reflux; and TMJ disorders to name a few!
What can MyoCentric do for me?
MyoCentric provides individualized therapy which includes exercises and neuromuscular re-education of the oral and facial muscles. This promotes positive growth patterns, correct chewing and swallowing, eliminates negative habits and trains the tongue and lips to rest in the correct position.
What are the effects of untreated myofunctional issues?
This is not an exhaustive list and will vary person to person
Mouth Breathing
Mouth breathing is a direct result of the tongue being in a low-lying position at rest. How improper tongue posture may present:
Narrow palate
Crowded Teeth/Orthodontic Relapse
Dry Mouth
Long-Face Syndrome
Digestive Issues / Acid Reflux
Allergy Shiners
Periodontal Disease
Inflamed Gums
Low Facial Muscle Tone
TMJ Issues
Temporomandibular Joint Disorders
Clenching / Grinding / Bruxism
Popping / Clicking of TMJ
Headaches / Migraines
Acute or chronic pain
Dental wear & Malocclusion
Facial Asymmetry
Sleep Disordered Breathing
Both snoring and sleep apnea are signs of airway obstruction. Although very common, they are NOT normal function. Deep restorative sleep is not achieved when a person is mouth breathing instead of nasal breathing. This chronically stresses the body. This constant "fight or flight" mode has compounding detrimental effects.
Snoring
Sleep Apnea
Risk of hypertension & cardiovascular disease
Symptoms of ADD/ADHD
Hyperactivity in Kids & Daytime Fatigue in Adults
Disruptive sleep / Insomnia
Chronic Anxiety / Depression
Restless Sleep/Unusual Sleep Positions
Tongue Thrust & Thumb Sucking
Dysfunctional Swallow Patterns &
other involuntary oral habits
The tongue is a mighty muscle!
An improper swallowing pattern may cause the following:
Anterior open bite
Speech Difficulties
Chronic ear infections
Chronic congestion
Food Aversions
Digestive Issues-including GERD and Acid Reflux
Riza Tantoco
Myofunctional Therapist, RDH, CFT
At MyoCentric, you'll meet me - Riza! I have a background in dental hygiene where I developed my deeply rooted passion for helping others. Throughout years spent in the dental field, I experienced first-hand the critical impact that dysfunctional muscle function has on breathing, swallowing, sleeping, and speaking. Consequently, these issues may be linked to a myriad of other health issues that patients may not realize are connected. My mission is to make a positive impact on my patients' lives by uncovering the root cause of their symptoms. I address the concerns of my patients by evaluating their potential orofacial muscle dysfunction, creating a tailored therapy program, and step-by-step coaching through therapeutic exercises. Ultimately, this allows my patients to reach optimal function of critical systems. Awareness, education, and prevention through myofunctional therapy can be empowering and life-changing.
TELEHEALTH APPOINTMENTS
We are currently accepting new patients via telehealth and with limited in-person options depending on your location. I am happy to have a quick discussion to see if a full Comprehensive Evaluation is the appropriate next step for you!
Contact Us
We're here for you when you need us. Call, text, or email to schedule an appointment.
We’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
Covering IE/SGV/LA/OC - 714-696-8415