OMDs are disorders that include at least one of the following:
- Incorrect placement of the tongue at rest (between front teeth or on the floor of the mouth)
- An open mouth resting posture (lips not closed together at rest)
- Any sucking habit, such as thumb sucking, finger, lip or tongue sucking
Why be concerned about OMDs?
OMDs can cause:
- Dental malocclusions (teeth not closing properly)
- Atypical pattern or swallowing (tongue thrust swallowing pattern with saliva, liquids and solids)
- Difficulty chewing food (“sloppy eaters”)
- Mispronunciation of sounds (i.e. lisp)
- Improper facial growth patterns (development of a long face, retruded chin)
- Jaw joint pain
- Weak lips