Puberty and Your Teen: Why This Is a Key Time for Myofunctional Therapy
Puberty is a whirlwind. Growth spurts, mood swings, and orthodontic visits are all part of the picture. But there’s something many parents don’t realize: this stage of life is also a crucial time for the way your teen’s mouth, face, and airway are developing.
During adolescence, the muscles of the mouth and face are still learning how to work together. Breathing patterns are settling in, and jaw growth is still underway. These changes make puberty a particularly effective time to support oral and facial development with myofunctional therapy.
If your teen is dealing with mouth breathing, snoring, jaw pain, or even teeth shifting after braces, it’s rarely something they can simply “grow out of.” These issues often point to underlying muscle and breathing patterns. Oral function plays a bigger role in long-term health than most families are told, and supporting it now can set the stage for healthier sleep, breathing, and comfort for years to come.
What Is Myofunctional Therapy for Teens?
At its core, myofunctional therapy looks at how the muscles of the mouth, face, and tongue work together throughout the day and night. Instead of focusing on individual skills in isolation, therapy helps your teen’s whole system work more efficiently, how the mouth rests, moves, and supports breathing.
This includes paying attention to:
Tongue posture: Is the tongue resting in the right place?
Lip closure: Are the lips relaxed and gently sealed when at rest?
Jaw stability: Is the jaw supported for proper function?
Nasal breathing: Is your teen breathing through the nose, not the mouth?
When these systems aren’t working well, teens may develop habits that affect sleep, orthodontic results, and overall comfort.
Myofunctional therapy for teens is designed to be collaborative. Adolescents are developing independence, so the goal is to build their awareness and understanding rather than rely on constant reminders. Families play an important role, too, learning to notice subtle patterns that might signal bigger functional issues.
At this age, therapy hits a sweet spot: the body is still growing, but your teen is mature enough to actively participate in their care.
Why Puberty Is a Critical Window
Puberty brings rapid changes in the body, and the face and airway are no exception. Bones are growing, muscles are strengthening, and neural pathways are still flexible. This combination creates an ideal opportunity for meaningful, lasting change.
During adolescence, myofunctional therapy works with the body’s natural growth instead of trying to undo habits later. Habits like mouth breathing or low tongue posture are easier to address now than in adulthood.
Hormonal changes can also impact muscle coordination. Some teens suddenly develop jaw tension, headaches, clenching, or chewing fatigue. These shifts often reflect how the nervous system and muscles are adapting, not something your teen is doing “wrong.” Supporting efficient patterns now can prevent discomfort from becoming chronic.
Signs Your Teen May Benefit from Myofunctional Therapy
Teens don’t always have the words to describe what feels off in their bodies, and many issues develop gradually. Parents often notice patterns before teens even recognize a problem.
Common signs include:
Mouth breathing during the day or night
Snoring or restless sleep
Waking up tired despite getting enough sleep
Jaw clicking, popping, or discomfort
An open mouth posture at rest
Persistent mouth breathing is especially important to watch. It can impact facial growth, sleep quality, and overall health. Snoring in teens shouldn’t be dismissed either. These signs usually indicate functional challenges, not a lack of motivation or effort.
How Myofunctional Therapy Helps Sleep
Sleep plays a huge role in teen health, learning, and emotional regulation. When breathing patterns aren’t efficient, sleep quality suffers—even if your teen appears to sleep through the night.
Low tongue posture or mouth breathing can narrow the airway, leading to lighter, less restorative sleep. Over time, this can show up as daytime fatigue, difficulty concentrating, or irritability.
Myofunctional therapy supports better sleep by helping your teen:
Maintain proper tongue placement
Breathe through the nose instead of the mouth
Reduce strain on the airway
Better breathing during sleep translates to more energy, improved focus, and a calmer mood during the day.
How It Supports Orthodontic Results
Braces or aligners can straighten teeth, but they don’t fix the habits that influence tooth position. Without addressing these habits, teeth may shift again after treatment.
Therapy helps stabilize the muscles around the jaw and teeth, making orthodontic results more likely to last. By addressing oral patterns during adolescence, you also reduce the chance of future dental problems and discomfort.
Breathing Patterns and Long-Term Health
Habits your teen develops now often continue into adulthood. Chronic mouth breathing, for example, can contribute to:
Narrowing of the airway
Jaw tension
Increased risk of sleep-disordered breathing
By encouraging nasal breathing and proper tongue posture during puberty, myofunctional therapy helps guide healthier airway development, supporting long-term wellness.
What Myofunctional Therapy Looks Like
Many parents are relieved to learn that therapy is practical and approachable. Sessions focus on education, awareness, and functional movement—not perfection.
A typical program might include:
Guided, individualized exercises
Support for breathing and posture
Short, manageable home practice
Teens are more likely to stick with exercises when they understand why it matters. Therapy emphasizes autonomy and consistency rather than pressure, creating habits that last.
Is It Ever Too Late?
While puberty is the most efficient time for myofunctional therapy, it’s never too late to see benefits. Waiting often means addressing the same issues later, which can require more time and effort.
Many adults seek care for jaw pain, sleep issues, or chronic tension that started in adolescence. Supporting healthy oral and facial function early simply makes the process easier and more effective.
Taking the Next Step
Puberty is a powerful window for change. Your teen’s body is growing, the brain is adaptable, and habits are still forming. Myofunctional therapy isn’t about fixing something that’s broken; it’s about supporting development at the right time so your teen can breathe, sleep, and function with greater ease.
If you’re wondering whether your teen could benefit, you don’t have to figure it out alone. Schedule a free consultation today to learn what therapy could look like for your teen, get your questions answered, and explore the best next steps without any pressure or overwhelm.
Key Takeaways
Adolescence is a critical time for mouth, jaw, and airway development.
Myofunctional therapy guides healthy patterns while your teen’s body is still adaptable.
Signs like mouth breathing, snoring, jaw discomfort, or teeth shifting may indicate the need for support.
Therapy supports sleep, orthodontic success, and long-term wellness.
The best time to intervene is during puberty, but it’s never too late to see benefits.
Supporting your teen now can help them breathe easier, sleep better, and enjoy long-term comfort and health. Take the first step today with a free consultation, you and your teen deserve guidance, clarity, and confidence.
