What Is Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy?
Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT) is a personalized, non-invasive therapy that focuses on the muscles of the face, mouth, tongue, and airway. These muscles impact how we breathe, eat, swallow, speak, sleep, and develop facial structure.
At On The Spot Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy, we focus on identifying the root cause of dysfunction—not just the symptoms—so results are functional, sustainable, and age-appropriate.
Programs we offer
Therapy plans are customized based on evaluation findings and coordinated with your dental/medical team when appropriate.
Nail Biting
Though nail biting is the most common oral habit, it is detrimental not only to your teeth but your oral and airway health as well.
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Digit and/or Pacifier Sucking
Thumb, finger and pacifier sucking habits can have a tremendous impact on how your teeth and dental arches develop.
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Down Syndrome
Often accompanied by low facial and tongue muscle tone, open mouth rest posture, protruding tongue and increased airway concern.
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Tongue Thrust
Swallowing with tongue pushing against your teeth (& improper resting posture) can contribute to malocclusion and movement of teeth post orthodontics.
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Drooling
Profuse drooling is never normal or typical. If a child’s shirt is constantly or frequently wet, this would be considered profuse or atypical drooling.
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Tongue Tie
Tongue tie (ankyloglossia) is a condition present at birth that restricts tongue function and mobility, which can contribute to oral dysfunction.
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Snoring & Mild Sleep Apnea
Mouth breathing often contributes to low tongue posture which can cause the tongue to fall back into the airway as you lay down, causing snoring and apnea but poor breathing patterns are typically 24/7.
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Lisp & Speech Impairment
A lisp is often rooted in improper tongue placement, not just a speech habit. Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy corrects the underlying muscle patterns that cause lisping and other speech sound errors.
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About Khrisi Valdez
Owner & Orofacial Myofunctional Therapist at On The Spot Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy
Hello, I'm Khrisi Valdez. My passion is to educate others about the importance of proper tongue posture, swallowing, nasal breathing, and mouth closure. I firmly believe that developing these habits at a young age is crucial to long-term health and well-being, and I'm dedicated to helping individuals of all ages achieve this.
With over 25 years of experience in the dental field, primarily in pediatrics and orthodontics, I have developed a deep understanding of the oral and facial structures. Before transitioning into Orofacial Myology, I worked closely with a dentist specializing in lip and tongue tie treatments. During this time, I assisted chairside and educated patients on airway function and post-procedure care. The transformative results I witnessed in many of these patients—particularly those who had struggled with lip or tongue restrictions for years—motivated me to pursue a career in Orofacial Myology.
25+ years in dental care (pediatrics & orthodontics)
Certified by The Coulson Institute
Collaborative care with dental/medical providers
Warm, welcoming coaching for children & adults
For Families
Help your child feel ready
Read The Best Kind of Brave together — a short story about Trixie and Jasper's first visit with Miss Khrisi.
Coming soonOur Approach
At On The Spot Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy, our goal is to support healthy breathing, proper oral function, stable orthodontic outcomes, and long-term wellness—at every stage of life.
Call to Schedule Appointment
A brief call to understand concerns and decide the next best step.
Comprehensive Evaluation
Assess breathing, oral rest posture, swallow pattern, and functional habits.
Personalized Program
A structured plan with home practice and visit cadence aligned to goals.
Progress & Graduation
Track outcomes, adjust as needed, and transition to maintenance.
Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy is effective for newborns through adults. Each treatment plan is customized based on age, development, and individual needs.
Infants & Newborns
OMT supports feeding efficiency, oral motor development, and airway health.
Most common concerns include:
- Breastfeeding or bottle-feeding difficulties
- Poor latch or milk transfer
- Tongue-tie or lip-tie support (pre- and post-release)
- Gagging, reflux-like symptoms, or feeding fatigue
- Open-mouth posture
Toddlers & Preschoolers
This stage focuses on eliminating oral habits and supporting proper growth.
Most common concerns include:
- Thumb sucking, pacifier use, or tongue sucking
- Mouth breathing
- Low tongue posture
- Drooling or messy eating
- Early bite or spacing concerns
School-Age Children
OMT is often recommended alongside dental and orthodontic care.
Most common concerns include:
- Mouth breathing, snoring, or poor sleep quality
- Tongue thrust or improper swallowing
- Narrow palate or dental crowding
- Orthodontic relapse prevention
- Airway and posture concerns
Teens
Therapy supports orthodontic stability and long-term oral function.
Most common concerns include:
- Braces or aligner support
- Persistent oral habits
- Jaw tension or discomfort
- Poor breathing patterns
- Sleep-related breathing concerns
Adults
OMT improves function, comfort, and quality of life.
Most common concerns include:
- Snoring and sleep-disordered breathing (in coordination with medical providers)
- TMJ pain, clenching, or grinding
- Chronic mouth breathing
- Headaches, neck, or facial tension
- Orthodontic or surgical relapse prevention
Children and Adults with Developmental or Neurological Differences
Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy supports individuals with developmental disabilities, neurodevelopmental conditions, and complex medical needs. Treatment plans adjust to cognitive level, communication style, sensory profile, and motor abilities. Therapy works alongside medical, dental, speech, and occupational providers when needed.
Most common concerns include:
- Difficulty chewing and swallowing safely
- Excess drooling or poor saliva control
- Chronic mouth breathing or open mouth posture
- Low tongue posture with limited tongue mobility
- Sleep disordered breathing or snoring
Therapy focuses on improving safety, efficiency, and functional independence during breathing, feeding, and speaking.
Clear options, flexible support
We'll recommend the right path after your initial evaluation.
Initial Evaluation
Comprehensive functional assessment and personalized plan.
- 60 minute evaluation
- Breathing & oral rest posture review
- Swallow pattern evaluation
- Recommendations & next steps
- Coordination notes if needed
- Home practice starter plan
Complete Program
Structured 1:1 therapy plan with progress checkpoints.
- Foundations therapy sequence
- Weekly/biweekly visit cadence
- Customized home exercises
- Habit coaching & tracking
- Progress metrics
- Graduation & maintenance plan
Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy
Feather-light hands-on therapy that listens to your body's own healing rhythms — no manipulation, no cracking — to release deep tension and regulate your nervous system.
- ~5g of pressure — lighter than a nickel on skin
- Shifts nervous system from fight-or-flight to rest-and-repair
- Targets jaw, TMJ & cranial tension at the root
- Helps reduce headache & migraine frequency
- Supports release of stored physical & emotional tension
- Safe for all ages, including infants & postpartum moms
Polarity Therapy
An integrative whole-person reset combining energy bodywork, gentle movement, nutritional guidance, and self-awareness to restore flow and ease chronic stress.
- Bodywork, movement & coaching in one session
- Three touch levels mapped to your body's energy poles
- Studied for anxiety, insomnia & chronic fatigue relief
- Addresses the emotional roots of physical tension
ElevateMyo
Self-paced digital program with the same core exercises used in our 1:1 Foundations plan.
- 10 session digital program
- Move through lessons at your pace
- Complete therapy on your schedule
- No travel. No time off work
- Older children, teens & adults
- Clinician confirmation recommended
- Young children
- History of TMD
- Central or severe obstructive sleep apnea
HSA/FSA accepted. Superbills provided for insurance reimbursement.
What patients say
A supportive approach focused on habit change and measurable progress.
Questions? We've Got Answers
Everything you need to know about Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy and what to expect from your program.
OMT is a therapy approach that helps retrain the muscles of the face, lips, tongue, and airway to support nasal breathing, oral rest posture, and swallowing patterns.
Children, teens, and adults can benefit when they have patterns such as mouth breathing, low tongue posture, tongue thrust, or concerns related to airway and function.
Not always. Therapy can help with function before and after a release, and we collaborate with your provider team when surgical decisions are being considered.
Program length varies. Many patients complete a structured plan over multiple visits with consistent home practice.
While OMT is not universally covered, many patients receive partial reimbursement through medical insurance, especially when related to sleep apnea, TMJ dysfunction, or post-surgical rehabilitation. We provide detailed superbills with appropriate diagnostic codes for you to submit to your provider. HSA and FSA funds are also accepted.
Yes! Many of our therapy sessions can be conducted effectively via video call. Virtual sessions are especially convenient for follow-up appointments, exercise check-ins, and patients who are further along in their program. The initial evaluation is recommended in-person when possible for the most thorough assessment.
ElevateMyo follows the same structured system used in our individualized therapy programs. The difference is delivery. All exercises, instructions, and educational materials are provided through pre-recorded videos and downloadable resources instead of real-time virtual or in-person sessions.
Yes. When appropriate, we coordinate with your healthcare team to align goals and support care continuity.
We require at least 48 hours' notice to cancel or reschedule an appointment. Cancellations made with less than 48 hours' notice may be subject to a cancellation fee. Depending on your appointment type, we may be able to switch it to a virtual session instead — just reach out and we'll do our best to accommodate you. We appreciate your understanding as this allows us to offer that time to other patients.
Latest from the Blog
Educational articles on breathing, tongue function, and orofacial health for patients and families.
Myofunctional Therapy for Kids in Denver: What Parents Need to Know
Early intervention makes a significant difference. Here's what pediatric myofunctional therapy looks like in Denver, what signs to watch for, and when to get your child evaluated.
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Does Insurance Cover Myofunctional Therapy in Colorado?
Insurance coverage for myofunctional therapy in Colorado varies by plan. Here's the honest breakdown — what's typically reimbursable, how superbills work, and how to use your HSA or FSA.
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TMJ and Jaw Pain: How Myofunctional Therapy Helps Denver Patients
Chronic jaw tension, clicking, and TMJ pain are often connected to tongue posture and breathing patterns. Here's how orofacial myofunctional therapy addresses the root cause for Denver patients.
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