Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy in Portland, OR
Orofacial myofunctional therapy is exercise-based treatment that retrains the muscles of the tongue, lips, jaw and face to rest and work the way they should. At Beech Street Speech in Southeast Portland, licensed speech-language pathologists use it to treat tongue tie, tongue thrust, mouth breathing and thumb sucking in children, teens and adults.
A comprehensive evaluation by a specialized orofacial myofunctional therapist is the most effective way to identify challenges and areas needing support. With the information gathered throughout the assessment, we can pinpoint your goals and develop an individualized treatment plan built just for you.
Signs You Might Need Myofunctional Therapy
Your dentist, doctor, orthodontist, or ear, nose, and throat doctor can usually identify when you need Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT).
What are common signs of orofacial myofunctional challenges?
If several of these are true, it might make sense to seek an OMT consult:
A tongue tie
Thumb or digit sucking
Enlarged adenoids or tonsils
Poor sleep patterns
Tongue thrust
Mouth breathing
Orthodontic work (including, but not limited to expanders, retainers and braces)
For a full explanation of each of these conditions, read our guide to orofacial myofunctional disorders.
What Your First Myofunctional Evaluation Looks Like
Your 1st visit is a comprehensive evaluation, not a treatment session.
Your therapist assesses tongue range of motion, muscle strength, resting posture of the tongue and lips, how you swallow, and how you breathe at rest. We ask about sleep, feeding, speech, orthodontic history, and any tethered oral tissue you already know about.
You leave with a plain-language explanation of what we found and an individualized treatment plan. Most clients then continue weekly, and after the first evaluation, many switch to telehealth for their weekly sessions with monthly in-person check-ins.
Insurance & Cost to get started with Myofunctional Therapy
Myofunctional therapy is often covered when it is delivered by a licensed speech-language pathologist, which is how we deliver it. We have a dedicated insurance specialist who verifies your benefits before you commit to anything, so you know your cost up front rather than after the first bill.
Insurance We Accept at Beech Street Speech & Language
Serving Portland and All of Oregon
We see clients in person at our clinic at 1610 SE Glenwood St. in the Sellwood neighborhood of Southeast Portland, and we regularly work with families from Portland, Sellwood, Milwaukie, Lake Oswego, West Linn, Beaverton, Tigard, Happy Valley and Gresham.
After the initial in-person evaluation, most myofunctional therapy clients continue their weekly sessions by telehealth from anywhere in Oregon, with monthly in-person check-ins at the Sellwood clinic. Our therapists are licensed in Oregon, so we are not able to accept clients who live outside of Oregon.
Why Work With Beech Street Speech
“Our clients finish speech when they graduate, not when they run out of sessions or benefits.”
At Beech Street Speech & Language, our skilled orofacial myofunctional therapists collaborate with dentists, orthodontists, and ENTs to instill healthy habits and routines.
Key objectives of OMT include:
Creating new habits and postures for your tongue to promote stable dentition
Improve nasal breathing habits and optimizing airway function
Teaching proper tongue positioning and motions for safe swallowing
Enhancing sleep habits related to breathing patterns
Experience Our Trifecta Quality of Care
At Beech Street, we understand your struggles and have tailored our clinic to address them directly so you can feel confident your child is getting the care they need.
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Board-certified and trained myofunctional therapists
Our myofunctional therapy is delivered by licensed speech-language pathologists, not by a non-clinical provider.
2
A dedicated insurance specialist to answer your questions
Someone whose whole job is to help you verify your benefits before you start care.
3
A convenient clinic located in Sellwood, Portland OR
Easy parking, a comfortable space, and telehealth for the weeks you cannot make the drive.
When Feeding Is Affected Too
Some children with orofacial myofunctional disorders also struggle at mealtimes, either because textures feel overwhelming or because the muscles cannot manage the mechanics of chewing and swallowing safely.
We treat both, but through our feeding programs rather than through myofunctional therapy alone. Read more about feeding therapy and the SOS Approach to Feeding.
Common Questions about Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT)
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Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT) is a specialized exercise-based treatment that retrains the muscles of the mouth, tongue, lips, and face. OMT helps children and adults establish correct oral resting posture, healthy swallowing patterns, and optimal nasal breathing. Whether you are dealing with a tongue tie, tongue thrust, or open-mouth breathing, OMT addresses the root muscular causes to restore proper function.
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Surgical release of a tethered oral tissue (tongue-tie or lip-tie) is only part of the solution; retraining the muscles is essential for lasting results. We provide structured pre- and post-frenectomy care to:
Before Surgery: Prepare and stretch the tongue muscles to optimize surgical access and outcomes.
After Surgery: Guide patients through targeted neuromuscular exercises to improve tongue mobility, prevent scar tissue re-attachment, and ensure safe, functional healing.
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Our comprehensive myofunctional evaluations evaluate how your oral-motor patterns impact everyday functions like speech, sleep, and eating. Treatment targets issues such as:
Tethered Oral Tissues (TOTs) & Tongue Ties
Tongue Thrust & Low Resting Tongue Posture
Chronic Mouth Breathing & Dysfunctional Airway Patterns
Chewing or Swallowing Difficulties
Speech Sound Impairments & Articulation Delays
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Unlike standalone muscle exercises, our Integrated Therapy approach coordinates myofunctional goals directly with articulation (speech clarity) and feeding development. Because oral placement directly affects how sounds are produced and how food is managed, we build a personalized treatment plan that treats the whole picture—helping children and adults speak clearly and eat comfortably.
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OMT is highly effective for both adults and children. Adults often seek myofunctional therapy to address lifelong habits like mouth breathing, tongue thrusting, or TMJ discomfort, as well as to prepare for or recover from adult frenectomies. Retraining oral muscles can improve breathing, sleep quality, and jaw comfort at any age.
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Your evaluation begins with a thorough assessment of tongue range of motion, muscle strength, resting posture, breathing habits, and swallowing patterns. We also review your medical and dental history. From there, we design a step-by-step exercise program tailored specifically to your needs, collaborating with your dentist, orthodontist, or ENT when appropriate.
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Often, yes, because our myofunctional therapy is delivered by licensed speech-language pathologists rather than by a non-clinical provider. Coverage depends on your plan and your diagnosis. We verify benefits for you as part of the free consult.
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Yes, if you live in Oregon. After the first in-person evaluation at our Sellwood clinic, most clients continue weekly care by telehealth with monthly in-person check-ins. We are licensed in Oregon only.
Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders & Their Effects Can’t Wait!
Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT) is best suited for clients 4 years and older and requires daily exercises at home.
Contact us today for a free consultation and screening to see whether your child could benefit from this support.
Last updated: September 2026. Reviewed by Nikki Hinsley, M.S., CCC-SLP.