Parents want simple steps that make a real difference. That’s the heart of orofacial myofunctional therapy (OMT) — small daily actions that support healthy growth and function.

What is Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT)?

Oral Myofunctional Therapy for kids is exercise-based care for the mouth, face and airway. It focuses on how kids breathe, chew, swallow and rest. The goal: better muscle function and habits that support development over time.

“Orofacial Myology is the study of the oral and facial muscles in relation to their movement patterns for daily life. The muscles of the face, the lips, the tongue and the jaw should move in a way that supports healthy breathing, eating, speaking and swallowing.” - Australian Association of Orofacial Myology (AAOM) definition on orofacial myology

Why habits matter for growing smiles

Mouths grow fast in childhood. Daily patterns shape that growth. Nasal breathing, a relaxed lip seal and a strong, elevated tongue help guide jaw development — and make chewing and swallowing more efficient.

Signs your child may benefit

Look for one or more of these patterns:

• Mouth-open posture during the day
• Snoring or noisy sleep
• Chewing fatigue or messier eating
• Thumb or finger sucking history
• Drooling beyond early years
• Speech that sounds effortful

These are common, and often improve with a gentle, consistent routine.

Core benefits parents care about

• Nasal breathing: More nose breathing can support better sleep and focus.
• Lip seal: Lips together at rest helps the jaws stay balanced.
• Tongue strength and posture: Tongue up to the palate supports stable swallowing and growth.
• Chewing efficiency: Stronger muscles make mealtimes easier.
• Oral cleanliness: Chewing can help the mouth self-clean — it’s a useful daily habit.

We don’t “treat” or “cure” conditions. We build better function, step by step.

Where Myo Munchee fits: small device – big impact

Myo Munchee is a simple chewing tool used alongside care from your practitioner. Kids chew it for short, guided sessions. The chew action activates key muscles, reminds the tongue to lift, and encourages lips-together breathing.

Think of it like daily practice for the mouth — easy to learn, quick to use, designed to encourage optimal oral habits.

A simple daily routine (10–12 minutes)

• Warm-up: Lips together, tongue up, gentle nose breaths for 30 seconds.
• Chew set: 2–3 minutes of steady chewing with the Myo Munchee, breathing through the nose.
• Rest posture: After chewing, hold lips together and tongue up for 30 seconds.
• Repeat: Two to three times per day — after breakfast, after school, before bed works well.
• Make it fun: Story time, a song or a timer turns practice into a game and daily oral habits.

Consistency matters more than intensity — small wins add up.

Safety and supervision

Choose the right size with your practitioner. Supervise young children while chewing. Stop and check in if anything feels uncomfortable. OMT is collaborative — your practitioner guides progression.

Frequently asked questions

How soon will we notice changes?

Every child is different. Parents often notice better lip seal and quieter rest first — then easier chewing.

Does my child still need other care?

OMT is adjunctive. It complements dental, orthodontic and airway care. Your practitioner team leads the plan.

What if my child is a mouth breather?

We start gently: short nasal-breathing moments paired with chew sets. Over time, nose breathing gets easier.

Partnering with your practitioner

Teamwork delivers the best results. Practitioners assess habits, tailor exercises and track progress. At home, you provide the gentle nudge — and protect the routine.

Ready to start?

Book with a qualified practitioner, choose the right Myo Munchee, and begin a simple daily chew routine — lips together, tongue up, breathe through your nose.

Meet the Author

Cheree Wheaton (B AppHSc – Oral Health) is an Oral Health Therapist with over two decades of experience supporting healthy oral development in children and families. She graduated from the University of Queensland in 2000 and has spent much of her career focused on prevention, jaw development, orthodontics, sleep, and neuromuscular dentistry.

In 2014, Cheree founded Smile Tone, her Brisbane-based Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy clinic, where she works closely with families to address the underlying functional causes of oral and airway concerns. Her approach is practical, compassionate, and centred on helping children build strong foundations for breathing, chewing, and overall wellbeing.

Cheree is a past President of the Australian Association of Orofacial Myology (AAOM) and is proud to serve as a Clinical Advisor for Myo Munchee, contributing her expertise to education, research, and family-focused resources.

She is deeply passionate about empowering parents with knowledge and early support, believing that when function is addressed early, children are given the best opportunity to thrive.

Website: smiletone.com.au/

Instagram: instagram.com/smiletoneomt/