Home | Spokane Myofunctional Therapy

About Me

Hi! I'm Tamara!

I've been a dental hygienist for 20 years in private practice in Spokane and Seattle. I'm local to Spokane and earned by bachelors in science in dental hygiene from Eastern Washington University in 2003. I became passionate about oral development and airway health and started my journey in treating orofacial myofunctional disorders in 2016 when my own child struggled with airway and speech issues. I have thousands of hours completing post graduate training and treating patients clinically. I love working with a variety of people and conditions and treat my patients like family. I have a great relationships with local providers that can assist you on your journey, and together, we will advocate for your optimum health and breathing. I am a member of the IAOM and an Ambassador of the Breathe Institute. I am also certified TOTS trained.

What is Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT)?

Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT) is a short term, non-invasive, individualized program that restores orofacial muscle function and balance as well as proper breathing. OMT is a collaborative treatment for orofacial development, speech, feeding, orthodontic treatment and breathing in children. In adults, OMT addresses orofacial balance, stability of dentition, craniofacial pain management, breathing and sleep hygiene. OMT is an important component of airway focused dentistry. Signs and symptoms of orofacial myofunctional disorders vary in individuals. They include: tongue thrust, chronic mouth breathing, crooked teeth (maloccusion), orthodontic relapse, orofacial pain (TMD), clenching and grinding, problems chewing, swallowing, digestion, poor articulation, forward head and shoulder posture, snoring and poor sleep.

Littles

Young children over 3 or 4 can benefit from orofacial myofunctional therapy to increase oral motor skills for speech and feeding, oral posture to help develop the orofacial complex and normalize nasal breathing. We make oral exercises fun and incorporate games and learning.

Kiddos

After 5, kiddos may need a little extra help with oral posture, swallowing and nasal breathing in conjunction with continued mid face and airway development, speech development and to optimize orthodontic treatment. Therapy is incorporated into games. For older kids and teens, OMT is critical to stabilize oral muscle function for complete orthodontic treatment. Age appropriate therapy is implemented into their busy lifestyles.

Adults

Adults that benefit from OMT have had oral dysfunction and poor breathing for years, unknowingly. They often complain of poor sleep, sleep disordered breathing, craniofacial pain, headaches, migraines, orthodontic relapse, clenching and grinding, poor immune function, overall muscular tension, poor posture, limited mobility and cervical spine instability. OMT can dig into the root causes of these conditions and restore oral balance, function and breathing for lifelong health.

"The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life." Job 33:4

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