Oral Habits in Children and OMT: What It Is and What You Can Do at Home

Many children have a habit with the mouth that parents notice: a thumb that is often in the mouth, a pacifier that stays, or an open mouth by day or during sleep. These oral habits in children are often harmless at a young age. Sometimes they last longer, and parents wonder whether to do something about it. This article explains what OMFT is, gives examples, and says when to involve a professional. It is not a diagnosis and not a treatment plan. LogiLand is practice software, not OMFT and not a patient record.

What is OMFT?

OMFT stands for orofacial myofunctional therapy. That is a long name for a simple idea. "Oro" refers to the mouth, "myo" to muscles, and "functional" to how those muscles work in daily activities such as swallowing, breathing, chewing and talking.

A speech therapist who offers OMFT looks at how the lips, tongue and jaws work together. Where does the tongue rest? Do the lips close easily? How does your child swallow? The therapist then teaches the child a new habit through short, playful exercises. It is about repetition and practice, often over several weeks or months, with exercises to do at home.

So OMFT is a treatment given by a professional. This article only explains it, so you know what is meant when a dentist or speech therapist mentions it.

What are oral habits?

Oral habits are habits in which the mouth is used differently from how most people use it. A few examples:

• Thumb sucking: the thumb is in the mouth often or for long periods
• Pacifier use that continues longer than suits the age
• Mouth breathing: your child breathes mostly through the mouth, by day or at night
• Tongue thrust: the tongue pushes forward when swallowing or talking, sometimes against or between the teeth
• Open mouth at rest: the lips do not close easily

For the first three, see our separate articles. They cover the explanation and approach in detail.

Three examples and where to read more

Thumb sucking

Sucking on a thumb soothes and calms. In babies and toddlers that is normal. If the habit lasts a long time, a dentist or speech therapist can check whether it affects the teeth or swallowing. Practical tips for home, by age, are in stop thumb sucking.

Pacifier

A pacifier also brings calm. It becomes a point of attention when it stays while your child talks a lot, or when the teeth begin to change. Read more in stop using a pacifier.

Mouth breathing

A child who breathes with an open mouth, snores or wakes with a dry mouth sometimes has a cause other than habit, such as a blocked nose. That is why a doctor or professional should assess it first. More is in mouth breathing in children.

When does a professional step in?

There is no set age at which you must act. Many habits fade by themselves in the toddler and preschool years. Consider an appointment with a speech therapist or dentist if:

• the front teeth or bite visibly change
• your child swallows or speaks with the tongue forward
• speech is hard to understand and you suspect the mouth plays a part
• your child often sits with an open mouth, snores or seems to have frequent colds
• your child is bothered by the habit or wants to stop
• you simply have concerns

The dentist mainly looks at teeth and jaw. The speech therapist looks at swallowing, breathing, speech and muscle use. Sometimes they work together, and for a blocked nose or throat problems a GP or ENT doctor is involved too.

Again, a professional decides whether OMFT is useful. For some children it is. For others, waiting, guidance or another approach is better. There is no guarantee that speech or teeth will change.

What can you do at home?

At home you can help a lot without giving therapy yourself.

• Observe without correcting: when does the habit appear, when tired, bored or tense?
• Keep it light: punishment, teasing and shame often make habits stick
• Praise what works: mention moments when your child closes the mouth or lets go of the habit
• Repeat what the therapist gives you: short exercises, better often and brief than long and once
• Set a regular moment: for example five minutes after brushing teeth, together in front of the mirror
• Note questions for the next appointment

Do not start tongue or lip exercises on your own without advice. An exercise that suits one child may not help another.

Where does LogiLand fit?

LogiLand offers playful exercises for between appointments. A child can repeat what the speech therapist showed without it feeling like homework. LogiLand does not diagnose, does not provide OMFT and does not replace a conversation with a speech therapist or dentist. It is also not a patient record.

Practical tips

• One habit at a time: start with what bothers your child most
• No comparison with siblings or classmates
• Stay calm after a setback, it is part of the process
• Be consistent in your response and always offer an alternative
• Ask for help with concerns about bite, swallowing, speech or breathing

Conclusion

Oral habits are often a normal part of development. Sometimes they call for a professional look, and OMFT is one of the options a speech therapist or dentist may suggest. Look for the reason first, keep it light and let the professional decide about therapy. To read more about the three examples, see stop thumb sucking, stop using a pacifier and mouth breathing in children.

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Important: this article is for information and does not replace advice from a speech therapist, dentist or doctor. LogiLand is practice software for repetition between appointments, not a diagnosis, not treatment, not OMFT and not a patient record.