Myofunctional Therapy in Fargo, ND

Helping you breathe, sleep, and live better.

EXPERIENCING BREATHING OR SLEEP ISSUES? DON'T WANT MEDICATION OR SURGERY?

Naturally treat the root cause of your problem and end debilitating symptoms with myofunctional therapy.
Fargo dentist Dr. Harnish working with a patient

Are you tired of receiving ineffective treatments for your health issues?

If you experience any of the following, then you may have an orofacial myofunctional disorder (OMD):

  • Chronic mouth breathing
  • Speech impediments
  • Issues with teeth alignment
  • Teeth clenching or grinding
  • Chronic allergies
  • Sinus or nasal congestion
  • Dry mouth
  • Chronic headaches or migraines
  • Sleep apnea
  • Snoring
  • Trouble falling or staying asleep
  • Never feeling well-rested

OMD is a result of abnormal oral functional patterns. A prime example is an improper resting or swallowing position of the tongue. This interferes with the normal growth and development of your orofacial muscles and bones.

A natural way to treat this is with myofunctional therapy.

What is myofunctional therapy?

An individualized exercise program, similar to physical therapy, for your mouth, face, and tongue. It uses gentle exercises to retrain and strengthen these weakened muscles.

The result is improved health, appearance, and quality of life. Book a consultation to see if you or your child could benefit from this.

Is Myofunctional Therapy Worth It?

In our opinion, yes. You have the potential to:
Improve Speech
Pronounce words more clearly and see faster results in speech therapy.
End Bad Habits
Say goodbye to teeth grinding, thumb sucking, oral fixation, and more.
Avoid Orthodontics
Help your child’s teeth erupt correctly. For adults, myofunctional therapy can help shorten treatment time.
Relieve Sleep Apnea
Stop snoring and improve your quality and quantity of sleep.
Change Naturally

No medication or surgery is involved. This exercise program is a holistic solution. Plus, it only takes 5 minutes, twice a day.

Live Longer
Improve your breathing, stabilize your nervous system, and reduce the risk of health complications.
Headshot of Sherry, one of our myofunctional therapy patients

As a dental professional with a strong commitment to my health, I was intrigued by the concept of myofunctional therapy. Thanks to Sarah, I now have a great understanding of when and why this therapy is indicated. And I’ve felt significant positive changes occur as a result of the time we spent together in my therapy. I find Sarah incredibly engaging, highly competent, and delightfully passionate about what she offers. I began to uncover just how important tongue position and tone are in my quest for optimal health. She made each experience feel individualized just for me.

– Sheri K. | Actual Myofunctional Therapy Patient

Why Choose Us for Myofunctional Therapy in Fargo, ND?

Headshot of Sarah, one of our dental hygienists

Fargo dentists and dental hygienists are two of the most qualified professionals to treat orofacial myofunctional disorders.

Our dental hygienist, Sarah, has extensive education on oral structures and how those can impact your success with myofunctional therapy. She also:

  • Uses CBCT scanning technology, which allows her to view how clear and open your airway and sinuses are. This makes your diagnosis more accurate and exercises more effective.

  • Offers an advanced home sleep screening that’s easy to use and 89% as effective at detecting sleep apnea as an in-lab study (but a fraction of the cost!). It also detects lesser-known sleep disorders, which can significantly impact your quality of life.

  • Partners with specialists if you need support in an area outside our expertise because we genuinely want the best for you.

When you meet with Sarah, she’ll perform a thorough evaluation of your oral-facial anatomy and recommend a personalized plan to address your specific needs.

Headshot of Sarah, one of our dental hygienists
Arch Dental Logo

FAQs About Myofunctional Therapy

What are the symptoms?

Signs you or your child may have an orofacial myofunctional disorder (OMD) include:

  • Habitual mouth breathing
  • Constantly parted lips
  • Difficulty breathing through the nose
  • Limited tongue movement
  • Messy eating and drinking
  • Dental problems like an overbite or underbite
  • Lisp or other speech impediments
  • Tongue thrust (tongue rests against or between teeth instead of on roof of the mouth)
  • Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD)
  • Digestion issues
  • Sleep apnea

What are the causes?

A myofunctional disorder can be caused by many factors, including:

  • Finger or thumb sucking
  • Prolonged use of a bottle or pacifier
  • Tongue-tie
  • Cheek or nail-biting
  • Teeth clenching or grinding
  • Upper airway obstruction
  • Blocked nasal passages
  • Enlarged tonsils or adenoids
  • Allergies
  • Hereditary predispositions

Contact our Fargo dental office to see if you or your child has an OMD.

Does myofunctional therapy work?

Yes! You’ll learn how to:

  • Breathe through your nose instead of your mouth all the time: This better filters and humidifies the air you breathe, releasing more nitric oxide into your body, which acts as an anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antibacterial. It’ll help calm your nervous system and more effectively distribute oxygen in your body tissues, including your brain.
  • Keep your lips together anytime you aren’t eating, drinking, or talking: This ensures nasal breathing and creates a healthier mouth environment.
  • Keep your tongue sealed to the roof of your mouth anytime you aren’t eating, drinking, or talking: This prevents poor teeth position and jaw development and reduces the tendency to clench or grind your teeth. It also creates more stability in your jaw joint, opens your airway wider, and helps you sleep better with less airway obstruction and snoring.
  • Swallow correctly: This reduces the amount of air you bring into your system, which can lead to digestion issues. It also helps calm and stabilize your nervous system.

Need more proof?

Book a consultation. We’ll happily answer all your questions.

How long do the exercises take?

Myofunctional therapy exercises only take 5 minutes, twice a day. They’re quick and can be done anywhere.

Do I have to do the exercises forever?

No. An essential part of this program is building your awareness. Once strength is built in key muscles that achieve your myofunctional goals, all you need to do is maintain awareness, which maintains your newfound strength in these muscles.

How long does myofunctional therapy take?

The total duration of your individualized exercise program lasts 6-9 months on average.

Keep in mind:

Your cooperation and self-discipline in the therapy assignments are crucial to your success.

Are you accepting new patients?

Yes. Arch Dental is accepting new patients for myofunctional therapy and dental care.

Our office is conveniently located in Fargo, ND…Open a new window to Google Maps… and serves surrounding communities, including Moorhead, West Fargo, Oakport, Dilworth, Horace, Sabin, Detroit Lakes, Lisbon, Bismarck, and Grand Forks.

Ready to Finally See Long-Lasting Results?

Schedule a consultation for myofunctional therapy in Fargo, ND.