A myofunctional therapist focuses on the small daily habits most people never think about—how you breathe, where your tongue rests, and how your lips and jaw sit when you’re awake and asleep. Those tiny details can affect everything from facial growth and crowded teeth to snoring and restless nights.
At Natural Health Essentials in Clearwater, our myofunctional therapist works alongside airway-focused dental and wellness care to support healthier breathing, better sleep, and long-term oral function for both kids and adults. You’ll find us at 1825 Sunset Point Rd., Suite #2, Clearwater, FL 33765.
What is a myofunctional therapist?
A myofunctional therapist is a practitioner who helps retrain the muscles of the tongue, lips, cheeks, and face so they work in harmony with your breathing and jaw.
That often includes support with:
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Mouth breathing versus nasal breathing
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Tongue resting low in the mouth instead of up on the palate
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Lips staying open instead of gently closed
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Swallowing patterns that push the teeth forward
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Compensations in head and neck posture
When these patterns are off, they can contribute to:
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Narrow jaws and crowded teeth
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Snoring and other sleep-disordered breathing
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Teeth grinding or clenching
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Daytime fatigue and irritability
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Headaches and tension in the neck and shoulders
Myofunctional therapy is like “physical therapy for the face and mouth,” aimed at correcting these patterns in a gentle, structured way.
Why do these issues show up?
Many families are told, “It’s just genetic,” but function plays a big role.
Common contributors include:
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Long-term mouth breathing from allergies or nasal congestion
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Tongue-tie or other oral restrictions
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Extended pacifier, bottle, or thumb habits
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Soft, processed diets that don’t challenge the jaw muscles
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Poor posture with the tongue low and lips apart
When the tongue doesn’t rest up on the palate, the upper jaw may not grow wide enough. Over time, this can lead to:
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Narrow arches and crowded teeth
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Smaller airway space
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Snoring or pauses in breathing during sleep
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Changes in facial growth in children
A myofunctional therapist looks at all of this through a functional lens: how the muscles are working, how you breathe, and how those patterns might be affecting your airway and sleep.
Non-invasive options to support better breathing and jaw growth
Many parents and adults prefer to start with gentle, non-invasive options when possible. In the world of airway and oral function, that might include:
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Breathing retraining and nasal hygiene support
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Tongue and lip exercises to restore healthy muscle tone
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Habit training for mouth breathing and open-lip posture
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Gentle oral appliances that guide jaw growth and support the airway
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Collaboration with dental, medical, and bodywork providers
A myofunctional therapist is often a key part of this plan, helping you practice targeted exercises at home in short daily routines.
How myofunctional therapy fits into care at Natural Health Essentials
At Natural Health Essentials, myofunctional therapy is part of a broader, airway-focused approach. Our team may use tools such as:
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Growth guidance appliances for children
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Airway expansion devices
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Breathing and posture support
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Holistic wellness services like IV infusions and aesthetic treatments to support overall well-being
Your myofunctional therapist will focus on:
1. Assessment of function
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How you breathe (nose vs. mouth)
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Where the tongue rests at ease
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Whether the lips stay gently closed
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How swallowing and chewing look
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2. Personalized plan
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A simple set of tongue, lip, and breathing exercises
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Step-by-step habit changes you can integrate into daily life
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Guidance on supporting nasal breathing whenever possible
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3. Appliance coordination when needed
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If you or your child is using an airway appliance, the myofunctional therapy plan is designed to work alongside it, helping the muscles adapt and support structural changes.
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4. Follow-ups and adjustments
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Regular check-ins to refine exercises
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Support for staying consistent at home
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Monitoring changes in symptoms such as snoring, mouth breathing, or jaw tension
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Who might benefit from a myofunctional therapist?
You or your child may be a good candidate to work with a myofunctional therapist if you notice:
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Persistent mouth breathing
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Snoring or noisy breathing during sleep
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Restless sleep, frequent waking, or daytime tiredness
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Crowded teeth or a very narrow upper jaw
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Tongue thrust when swallowing
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Forward head posture or chronic neck tension
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Teeth grinding or clenching at night
In children, you may also see:
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Chapped lips from constant mouth opening
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Dark circles under the eyes
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Drooling on the pillow
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Difficulty focusing or behavior concerns connected with poor sleep
Addressing these patterns early can support healthier growth, better sleep quality, and a more balanced bite as the jaws develop.
By-appointment care and free consultation
Our office at 1825 Sunset Point Rd., Suite #2, Clearwater, FL 33765 sees patients by appointment only. This allows our team and our myofunctional therapist to focus fully on you during your visit, without a crowded waiting room.
If you’re wondering whether a myofunctional therapist could help you or your child:
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Call (727) 476-6339 to schedule a free consultation
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Ask about current airway and wellness options that may support your specific situation
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Share any previous evaluations, such as sleep studies or dental x-rays, so your visit is as productive as possible
When you call, you can also ask about our membership options for ongoing wellness support, follow-up visits, and longer-term care plans.
Myofunctional therapy is not a quick fix, but with guidance, consistency, and the right support, it can be a powerful way to support better breathing and healthier growth over time—with a myofunctional therapist walking beside you step by step.
