Myofunctional Therapy
in Oklahoma City
Most dental and medical professionals treat the teeth, the airway, or the tongue in isolation. Myofunctional therapy connects all three. At the office of Dr. Laura Ousley, our on-site myofunctional therapist Jennifer DeJonge, RDH, OMT works with patients ages 4 and up to retrain the tongue, lips, and facial muscles — addressing the root cause of issues that other providers often miss entirely.
What Is Myofunctional Therapy?
Orofacial myofunctional therapy (OMT) is a specialized program of exercises that retrains the muscles of the tongue, lips, cheeks, and face to work correctly. Think of it as physical therapy for your mouth and airway. When these muscles function properly — with the tongue resting on the roof of the mouth, lips closed, and breathing through the nose — everything downstream improves: sleep, breathing, jaw alignment, facial development, and speech.
What Conditions
Does It Treat?
Myofunctional therapy is effective for both children and adults dealing with:
-
Sleep apnea and snoring
-
Mouth breathing
-
Tongue tie (before and after frenectomy)
-
Thumb or finger sucking habits
-
Speech difficulties and lisping
-
Orthodontic relapse after braces
-
Jaw pain and TMJ issues
-
Chronic headaches and neck tension
-
Dental crowding and narrow palate
-
Difficulty chewing or swallowing
Why Myofunctional Therapy and Tongue Tie Release Go Together
Releasing a tongue tie without myofunctional therapy is like cutting a cast off a broken arm without doing physical therapy — the surrounding muscles haven't learned how to function correctly yet. After years of compensating for a restricted tongue, the muscles need retraining to hold the new position. Jennifer works closely with Dr. Ousley to time therapy before and after frenectomy for lasting, functional results.
Meet Jennifer DeJonge, RDH, OMT
OMT of Oklahoma
Jennifer DeJonge is a Registered Dental Hygienist and certified Orofacial Myofunctional Therapist. She is the founder of OMT of Oklahoma and sees patients of all ages at our North May Avenue office. Jennifer works with children as young as 4 years old, making early intervention possible for kids showing signs of airway or tongue function issues.
What to Expect
Myofunctional therapy is not a one-time treatment — it's a program, typically spanning several months. Here's how it works:
1
Initial evaluation — Jennifer assesses tongue function, breathing patterns, swallowing, and muscle tone
2
Customized exercise program — targeted exercises assigned based on your specific patterns
3
Regular follow-up sessions — to progress through the program and monitor improvement
4
Coordination with Dr. Ousley — especially when tongue tie release is part of the treatment plan
Who Is a Good Candidate?
You or your child may benefit from myofunctional therapy if you notice:
-
Mouth breathing during sleep or at rest
-
Snoring or restless sleep in a child
-
A tongue that pushes forward when swallowing
-
Speech that sounds "slushy" or has a lisp
-
A history of tongue tie, treated or untreated
-
Orthodontic treatment that keeps relapsing
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: What is myofunctional therapy and do I need it? A: Myofunctional therapy (OMT) is a program of targeted exercises that retrain the tongue, lips, and facial muscles to work correctly — like physical therapy for your mouth. It is often essential before and after a tongue tie release to ensure lasting results. Our on-site therapist, Jennifer DeJonge, RDH, OMT, works with patients ages 4 and up.
Q: My child has a tongue tie — can you help? A: Yes. Tongue tie release in children is ideally done as part of a coordinated care plan that includes myofunctional therapy. Jennifer DeJonge sees children as young as age 4. Early treatment can prevent downstream problems including orthodontic issues, speech delays, and airway concerns. We recommend scheduling a consultation to evaluate your child's specific situation.
Q: What is a tongue tie and how does it affect adults? A: A tongue tie (ankyloglossia) is a restrictive band of tissue under the tongue that limits its range of motion. In adults, a restricted tongue can contribute to sleep apnea, mouth breathing, jaw pain, TMJ issues, dental crowding, headaches, neck tension, and speech difficulties — and frequently goes undiagnosed for years.
Have more questions? Visit our full FAQ page →
Ready to find out if myofunctional therapy is right for you or your child?
Schedule a consultation with Jennifer DeJonge at our Oklahoma City office.
Call us: 405-755-4450
Or visit Jennifer's practice directly at omtofok.com