Myofunctional therapy in Dubai — exercises for tongue posture, nasal breathing and swallowing

Key facts

• Exercises retrain tongue, lip and facial muscle function
• Targets tongue posture, nasal breathing and swallowing
• Usually combined with expansion, Myobrace or orthodontics
• Can help reduce relapse after treatment
• Results depend on consistent daily practice

What myofunctional therapy is

Orofacial myofunctional therapy is a programme of targeted exercises that retrains how the muscles of the tongue, lips, cheeks and jaw work at rest and during swallowing, speaking and breathing. The aims are typically to establish a resting tongue position against the roof of the mouth, comfortable lip closure at rest, nasal rather than mouth breathing, and a swallow in which the tongue does not push against or between the teeth. Exercises are demonstrated in clinic, practised daily at home, and progressed at review appointments. It is non-invasive and suitable for children who can follow instructions as well as for adults.

Why tongue posture, breathing and swallowing matter

The teeth sit in a balance between the tongue on the inside and the lips and cheeks on the outside. A tongue that rests low and forward, a habit of mouth breathing or a tongue-thrust swallow can disturb that balance and is associated with problems such as anterior open bite, proclined front teeth, a narrow upper arch and crowding. In children, chronic mouth breathing is linked with altered facial growth patterns, and it often accompanies enlarged adenoids or tonsils, allergies or nasal blockage. These muscle patterns can also push teeth back out of place after orthodontic treatment, which is why addressing them supports long-term stability.

How it supports orthodontics and airway care

Myofunctional therapy is usually prescribed alongside other treatment rather than as a stand-alone fix. In children, it is often combined with palatal expansion or Myobrace appliances to encourage nasal breathing and healthy jaw development. In teenagers and adults, it may accompany braces, aligners or MARPE expansion to help close an open bite and reduce the risk of relapse. For people with snoring or airway concerns, improved tongue and lip function can complement other measures prescribed by a sleep physician or orthodontist. It is not typically enough on its own to straighten teeth, and it does not replace treatment of nasal obstruction by an ENT specialist.

What the programme involves

The programme begins with a functional assessment: how you breathe at rest, where the tongue rests, how you swallow, lip strength and seal, and any habits such as thumb-sucking or nail-biting. Any tongue-tie or nasal obstruction that could limit progress is identified and, where appropriate, referred for assessment. You are then taught a personalised set of short daily exercises, often taking a few minutes several times a day, with goals for each stage. Progress is reviewed at intervals and exercises are advanced. Results depend heavily on consistency; children usually need parental encouragement, and adults need to build exercises into daily routines.

Who benefits and how to start at Manhal

Myofunctional therapy may help children with mouth breathing, tongue thrust, open bite or lingering thumb-sucking habits, and adults whose tongue posture or swallowing pattern is affecting their bite or orthodontic stability. Persistent mouth breathing, loud snoring or pauses in breathing during sleep in a child should be discussed with a doctor, as an ENT or sleep assessment may be needed. At Manhal Medical Center in Dubai, consultant orthodontist Dr. Moaiyad Pacha, whose practice focuses on airway, sleep and TMJ orthodontics, assesses oral function and plans myofunctional therapy as part of a written treatment plan. Contact the clinic for his Dubai dates.

The size and position of the jaws influence the space available for the tongue and airway. Airway-focused orthodontics assesses breathing, tongue posture and sleep alongside the teeth, and plans treatment that supports all of them.

Prepared by the Manhal Medical Center editorial team · Updated: 2026-10-18 · Treating specialist: Dr. Moaiyad Pacha

This page is general information and does not replace a consultation. Suitability, risks and results vary between patients.