What to Expect at Your First Myofunctional Therapy Appointment

Starting something new can feel uncertain—especially when it comes to therapy. If you’ve booked your first myofunctional therapy appointment (or you’re considering it), you might be wondering what it actually involves.

The good news? It’s simple, gentle, and tailored to your needs. Whether you’re an adult or bringing in your child, the first appointment is all about understanding what’s going on and where to start.

It begins with a conversation

The session usually starts with a review of your health history and your main concerns. We’ll talk about what brought you in—whether that’s mouth breathing, snoring, jaw tension, orthodontic relapse, or something else you’ve noticed.

We’ll also ask about symptoms you might not immediately connect to oral function, like daytime fatigue, difficulty concentrating, or allergies. Everything is connected when it comes to breathing, posture, and function.

Functional evaluation

Next comes a full evaluation of oral and facial function. This is done through observation, photos or videos (if permitted), and simple movement tests. We look at:

• How the tongue rests and moves

• Lip posture and breathing habits

• Swallowing patterns

• Chewing, speech, and jaw alignment

For children, we also take into account age-appropriate development, oral habits (like thumb sucking or pacifier use), and facial growth patterns.

There’s no pain, no poking, and no tools in your mouth—just conversation and observation. The exam helps us evaluate orofacial function and detect patterns like low tongue posture or tongue thrust, which can contribute to issues like mouth breathing, sleep-disordered breathing, or orthodontic relapse.

What happens after

At the end of the session, we’ll walk you through our findings in clear, simple terms. If therapy is recommended, we’ll talk about what a typical plan looks like. Every program is tailored to the individual, but most include:

• Gentle daily exercises

• A focus on breathing, posture, and muscle tone

• Virtual or in-person check-ins

• Support for habit change and long-term improvement

We’ll also answer any questions you have about therapy, results, timing, or collaboration with other providers (like ENTs, orthodontists, or speech therapists).

Research supports the value of therapy—especially for sleep-disordered breathing. In fact, studies show that myofunctional therapy can significantly reduce symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea in both children and adults.

For parents

If you’re bringing in your child, you’ll be included in the process from the start. We’ll guide you in understanding what to look for, how to support exercises at home, and how to track progress together.

A first step, not a commitment

You’re never locked into anything after an initial appointment. The goal is to give you clarity, guidance, and a clear picture of what’s possible with myofunctional therapy.

Therapy often takes several months, depending on the individual. On average, a program might run 6 to 12 months, with regular follow-ups to build and reinforce progress.

Many clients find that understanding their function brings peace of mind—and a sense of direction they didn’t have before.

New to the idea of myofunctional therapy? Start here to learn what it is and how it works.