Six Signs Your Dental Patient Needs Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy
Spotting Orofacial Myofunctional Symptoms in a Busy Dental Practice
In the hustle and bustle of a busy dental office, where time is often scarce and attending to not only your patients' dental needs but also their emotional needs is paramount, identifying the need for orofacial myofunctional therapy should be quick and efficient.
The days of dental offices providing “just a cleaning” are long gone.
The standards of care are continually changing, and now, more than ever, comprehensive patient care includes being aware of the subtle signs that point to underlying issues, such as those requiring myofunctional therapy.β¨β¨
During your interactions with patients, it's essential to observe their breathing patterns. This can reveal a lot about their overall oral health and direct you toward any necessary treatments. β¨β¨
Here are some easy signs that can be observed within a few minutes of the start of the appointment:
β¨1. An Open Mouth Posture
β¨An open mouth posture, where the patient often has their mouth open (even very slightly), may indicate an inability to nasal breathe. This can signal the need for myofunctional therapy as it points to possible issues with oral and nasal function.
2. Dry, Cracked Lips
Persistent dry and cracked lips can result from mouth breathing. They might also indicate dehydration or a lack of proper saliva production, both of which could benefit from myofunctional therapy.
3. Nail Biting
Nail biting is often a sign of stress or anxiety, but it can also be related to improper oral habits and alignment. Observing this habit can be a conversation starter about the need for therapy to address underlying causes and improve oral health.
4. Forward Head Posture
A forward head posture is frequently seen in individuals who struggle with poor breathing habits. This posture can affect the alignment of the jaw and teeth, requiring myofunctional therapy and perhaps orthodontic expansion to correct and improve breathing and oral health.
5. Heavy Breathing, Sighing, and Lip Smacking
Heavy breathing, frequent sighing, and lip smacking due to a dry mouth are all signs that the patient may not be breathing properly. These symptoms can indicate a need for orofacial myofunctional therapy to improve breathing techniques and saliva production.
6. Heavy Scalloped Border to the Tongue and Worn Teeth
A scalloped border on the tongue and worn teeth are tell-tale signs of poor tongue posture and grinding. These issues can be addressed with myofunctional therapy to enhance tongue posture and reduce the impact on the teeth.
These quick, simple data points open a wealth of conversation starters that can be discussed during the exam or in recall visits with the hygienists.
By integrating these observations into your practice, you can provide a more comprehensive level of care and address issues that might otherwise go unnoticed.
The Importance of Early Detection
Early detection of these signs can significantly impact the patient's overall oral health and well-being.
By recognizing these symptoms and initiating conversations about myofunctional therapy, dental practitioners can preemptively address issues before they develop into more severe conditions. This is of great benefit to patients, especially over the long term.
Implementation in Busy Practices
Integrating these observations into a busy practice may seem challenging, but with a structured approach, it can become second nature.
Training your team to recognize these signs and symptoms and educating your patients about the benefits of myofunctional therapy will foster a proactive environment where comprehensive care is paramount.
Training and Education
Investing in training for staff to recognize the signs of poor oral habits and breathing issues will set you apart in patient care. Orofacial myofunctional protocols, techniques, and exercises can keep your practice at the forefront of dental care, giving a unique advantage while offering major patient benefits.
Spotting symptoms that indicate the need for orofacial myofunctional therapy can easily be done within a short time frame and should be integrated into regular patient evaluations. By observing subtle signs such as open mouth posture, dry lips, nail biting, forward head posture, heavy breathing, and worn teeth, dental practitioners can initiate discussions that lead to improved patient care and overall health.
Implementing these practices within a busy dental office definitely requires commitment to education and training, but offers substantial benefits on multiple levels.
Early detection and proactive intervention can transform patient outcomes and promote a holistic approach to dental care. As dental professionals, adopting these steps ensures that we provide not only treatment but also a pathway to healthier and happier lives for our patients.
Dr Elizabeth Bell DDS
Dr. Bell is the first dentist to join the MyoMentor Faculty, starting in January 2023. Her background in airway dentistry allows her to provide a unique perspective to orofacial myofunctional therapy.
One of Dr Bell's most interesting qualities is that she actually practices myofunctional therapy herself in addition to working as a dentist. She's also had the opportunity to lecture professionally on topics related to myofunctional therapy.
