When most people think about braces, they picture straight teeth, a confident smile, and the boost of self-esteem that comes with it. What doesn’t always get talked about is what happens after the braces come off—and why some people’s teeth stay perfectly aligned while others notice them shifting back.

That’s why many people wonder: Do I need myofunctional therapy before getting braces?

This is where myofunctional therapy comes in. It’s a specialized therapy that focuses on the muscles of the face, tongue, and mouth. And for many children, teens, and adults, it’s the missing piece that helps braces deliver results that last.

So, do you need myofunctional therapy before braces? The short answer is that it depends on your habits, breathing patterns, and muscle function. But for a lot of people, therapy can make all the difference between a stable smile and orthodontic relapse. Let’s explore why.

What Is Myofunctional Therapy?

Think of myofunctional therapy as physical therapy for your mouth and face. Just like a physical therapist helps you relearn how to move your body after an injury, a myofunctional therapist helps retrain oral and facial muscles so they work the way they’re meant to.

It focuses on everyday habits like:

How your tongue rests when your mouth is closed.
Whether you breathe through your nose or your mouth.
The way you swallow.
Oral habits such as thumb sucking, nail biting, or prolonged pacifier use.

These may sound like small details, but they create constant pressure on the teeth and jaws. Over time, they can change the way the bite develops, affect facial growth, and even undo orthodontic work.

Healthy muscle patterns, on the other hand, give teeth the support they need to stay in place once braces have done their job.

Why Braces Alone Aren’t Always Enough

Braces are excellent at moving teeth into alignment. But here’s the catch: they only move teeth—they don’t change the habits that influence how teeth sit in the mouth.

Imagine pulling weeds from your garden without touching the roots. For a while, the garden looks neat and clean. But if those roots are still in the ground, the weeds almost always come back.

The same thing can happen with orthodontics. Braces may give you a straight smile, but if the underlying muscle habits aren’t addressed, the teeth often shift back. This is what orthodontists call orthodontic relapse.

Understanding Orthodontic Relapse

Orthodontic relapse is when teeth move out of alignment after braces or other orthodontic treatment. It can be subtle, like a little crowding, or more dramatic, with teeth almost returning to their original positions.

While relapse can happen for several reasons, incorrect oral habits are one of the biggest culprits. Some of the most common include:

Tongue thrusting: The tongue pushes forward against the teeth with every swallow (and we swallow up to 1,000 times a day!).
Mouth breathing: Chronic mouth breathing can narrow the palate and affect jaw development.
Oral habits: Thumb sucking, nail biting, or lip sucking all put pressure on teeth.

Retainers are often prescribed to help hold teeth in place after braces, but they don’t solve the root issue. They only work as long as they’re worn. Myofunctional therapy, on the other hand, retrains the muscles so the corrected alignment becomes natural and self-sustaining.

How Myofunctional Therapy Supports Braces

So, how exactly does therapy help? Here are the three main ways:

1. Building a Stable Foundation

Braces are the architects of a new smile. They move teeth into place. Myofunctional therapy is the foundation that makes sure those changes stick. When oral muscles and breathing patterns are healthy, they no longer fight against the orthodontist’s work.

2. Encouraging Nasal Breathing

Mouth breathing isn’t just a habit—it can influence the entire shape of the face. Kids who mouth breathe often develop longer faces, narrower arches, and crowded teeth. Therapy helps train nasal breathing, which supports proper facial growth, better sleep, improved oxygen intake, and, of course, orthodontic stability.

3. Correcting Swallowing and Tongue Function

The average person swallows hundreds of times per day. If the tongue pushes forward with each swallow, that’s constant pressure against the teeth. Therapy corrects swallowing patterns so the tongue works with the teeth—not against them.

Who Benefits Most From Therapy Before Braces?

Myofunctional therapy isn’t just for kids. People of all ages can benefit, whether they’re preparing for braces, currently in treatment, or noticing relapse years later.

Children

Starting therapy early helps kids with habits like thumb sucking, open-mouth posture, or tongue thrusting. When these habits are corrected before braces, orthodontic treatment is often shorter, easier, and more effective.

Teens

Since most orthodontic treatment happens during the teen years, this is a crucial window. Pairing therapy with braces ensures that the new smile has the muscular support it needs to last. Many teens also experience better sleep and focus once nasal breathing is restored.

Adults

It’s common for adults to say, “I had braces when I was younger, but my teeth shifted back.” That’s usually because the root cause—the oral habits—was never addressed. Therapy gives adults the chance to finally stabilize their smiles without needing braces again (or to protect the investment if they do choose retreatment).

What Happens If You Skip Therapy?

Skipping therapy doesn’t mean your braces won’t work, but it does mean:

Treatment may take longer.
There’s a higher risk of relapse.
Retainers may be needed indefinitely.

Retainers are helpful, but they’re like a band-aid solution. They hold the teeth in place, but they don’t fix the habits that cause misalignment. Therapy, on the other hand, addresses the why—so teeth can stay in place naturally.

How Orthodontists and Myofunctional Therapists Work Together

The best orthodontic outcomes often come from collaboration. Orthodontists are experts in aligning teeth and jaws. Myofunctional therapists are experts in retraining the muscles and breathing patterns that influence that alignment.

When the two work together, you get:

Straighter teeth that actually stay straight.
A healthier bite and airway.
Long-term results without constant retainer dependence.

Some orthodontists refer patients to myofunctional therapy before starting treatment. Others integrate therapy during or after braces. The timing depends on the individual’s age, needs, and habits—but the important thing is that both aspects of care are considered.

**Do You Need Myofunctional Therapy Before Braces?**

Here are a few signs it might help:

You or your child mostly breathe through the mouth (especially at night).
The tongue rests low in the mouth or pushes against the teeth.
Speech sounds are affected by tongue placement.
You’ve had braces before and noticed your teeth shifting back.
Habits like thumb sucking, lip biting, or nail biting continue.

If any of these sound familiar, it’s worth asking about myofunctional therapy before starting braces. And if braces have already begun, it’s not too late—therapy can still improve outcomes.

Final Thoughts

Braces are powerful tools for straightening teeth, but they don’t address the habits that shape your bite. Without correcting those habits, there’s always a risk of relapse.

Myofunctional therapy fills that gap. By retraining the tongue, lips, and facial muscles, it helps braces deliver results that last. Whether you’re a parent considering braces for your child, a teen about to start treatment, or an adult thinking about orthodontics again, therapy can make the process smoother, healthier, and more stable.

At Myo Speech Solutions, we specialize in helping clients build that stable foundation. We work alongside orthodontists and dentists so your care is connected, comprehensive, and tailored to your needs. Reach out for a free consultation today!