Last updated November 27, 2023
I want to have a beautiful set of teeth throughout my life. This is a wish shared by many people.
As a way to fulfill that hope.There is a functional training program called "MFT (oral myofunctional therapy).This article describes the advantages and disadvantages of MFT (oral myofunctional therapy).
We also have a checklist for you to try.
What is MFT?
MFT" refers to oral myofunctional therapy. There is a saying, "Seven habits without," and these habits and lifestyle habits can lead to misaligned teeth and various other problems.MFT (oral myofunctional therapy)" removes these causes and promotes normal growth and development through functional training of the mouth.
How many of the following apply to you?
Check how many of these lifestyle habits and symptoms of misaligned teeth and stunted oral growth apply to you!
Check the condition of the mouth at ▪️
Lips are easily roughened.
...always with his mouth open...
...Lips are often tightened.
...The tip of the tongue always touches the gap between the front teeth.
...I always touch it with my tongue when something gets stuck in my teeth.
Check ▪️ your eating habits
I don't like hard food.
I like soft foods.
Swallows food without chewing much
... I can't eat without drinking water.
Luring food with the tongue when bringing food to the mouth
...I have to strain around my mouth when swallowing water.
Eating with a clattering sound when eating.
▪️Body condition check
Hunchback
Mouth Breathing
...Easy to catch a cold.
... thirsty mouth easily.
▪️ Lifestyle Check
rest one's chin in one's hands
Sleeping on one's side
... has a habit of biting his lips.
... habit of biting his nails.
...Frequent forward bending posture.
Finger sucking is a habit that is hard to break.
...Eating in a chair where your feet don't land.
How many of the following apply to you? The more you apply, the more at risk you are for future misalignment of your teeth and stunted physical growth. In the following sections, we will discuss the causes and effects.
Two causes of misaligned teeth
There are many reasons for misaligned teeth. Among them, there are two major causes. They are "genetic factors" and "environmental factors.
▪️ genetic-factors
Genetic factors" refer to innate, qualitative factors.This applies to cases where the jaw is skeletally smaller than normal or the teeth are too large for the jaw.The first is the use of orthodontic treatment to improve the alignment of the teeth. In these cases, orthodontic treatment is commonly used to improve the alignment of the teeth.
▪️Environmental Factors
What are "environmental factors?"Bad habits acquired in lifestyleThis is the These are the items identified in the checklist in the previous section. If there is concern about the effects of these on the teeth or the body, general orthodontics will not improve the situation.In these cases, "MFT (oral myofunctional therapy)" is effectiveIt is.
Effects of bad habits
Continued bad habits can lead to the risk of oral muscle dysfunction and abnormalities. Here are the main bad habits and their effects.
Mouth Breathing
Normally, we breathe through our nose. This is because nasal hair catches viruses and other germs from the outside and suppresses infection. However, if you breathe through your mouth, bacteria adhere directly to your mucous membranes. This makes it easier for germs to invade the body. As a result, it is easy for germs to invade the body.It increases the risk of catching colds and becoming more susceptible to various infectious diseases.
Pocan mouth
If the mouth is always open, the oral cavity becomes dry. This causes inflammation of the oral mucous membranes, such as the gums. The mouth is self-cleaning through the circulation of saliva.
Self-cleansing is a bodily function that keeps the mouth clean by producing saliva in abundance. When the oral cavity becomes dry due to a poky mouth, this force does not function properly. This leads to a higher incidence of tooth decay and systemic disease.Porcupine mouth is a vice that causes inflammation of the oral mucosa, tooth decay, and other mouth inflammation due to decreased saliva, and also has a significant impact on the entire body due to decreased saliva.It is.
Tongue Vices
This is a typical vice that causes misalignment of the teeth. When the tongue is constantly in a particular position, the dentition is gradually disrupted. Furthermore, the tongue habit can be an unexpected hindrance to orthodontic treatment in the desire to restore the beautiful alignment of the teeth.
This is because even after teeth are straightened by orthodontics, the human body has the ability to return to its original position. In this process, a bad tongue habit may promote "backsliding" even more. If you have a bad tongue habit, do not let it ruin the orthodontic treatment you have spent a lot of money and time on.MFT (oral myofunctional therapy).It is advisable to remove the bad habits with the "Mere Old Man" before looking into the treatment of teeth alignment.
Finger sucking
Finger sucking and baby diapers can cause bucktooth. This can cause the front teeth to not close properly, which can lead to slurred pronunciation. This can make it difficult for the child to speak, and the bucktooths may become a target of bullying.The normal development of the mouth has a significant impact on the smooth approach to social life.
resting one's chin in one's hands
The cheekbones...Danger of distorting bone position and causing skeletal abnormalities.The facial bone deformities are not limited to facial bone deformities, but also affect the entire body. This may cause not only facial bone deformities, but may also affect the entire body.
Hunchback
The hunchback is a state in which the internal organs are constantly compressed. This places a greater burden on the internal organs. In addition, the skeletal position of the hunchback is different from the normal one, so the body does not function perfectly. They are,This can lead to a pouting mouth and bad tongue habits, which can lead to systemic problems.
Bad habits have a significant impact not only on the mouth, but also on the body. Correct treatment leads to beautiful teeth and future health.
Benefits of MFT
Normalization of breathing
Learn to breathe correctly. This will allow you toProtection of oral mucosa and bacterial infectionYou can expect to see the following
Cavity control
The normal development of the muscles around the mouth promotes saliva production. Thereby,It increases self-cleaning in the oral cavity and inhibits caries.In addition, the correct muscular movement of the mouth prevents misalignment of the teeth, which facilitates oral care. This reduces the risk of tooth decay.
Halitosis control
Nasal breathing,Stimulates saliva production to keep the oral cavity cleanThis leads to the control of bad breath.
Protection of mucous membranes
Keep your mouth tightly closed,Correct nasal breathing facilitates saliva production.This protects the oral mucosa and prevents it from drying out.
Improved sleep
When you can breathe through your nose,Improved sleep qualityThis will increase performance during the day. This will improve learning and physical performance.
... Your child needs to be motivated.
MFT (oral myofunctional therapy) is different from orthodontic treatment, which involves metal appliances and is left up to the dentist.It is essential that the patient himself/herself be motivated. The cooperation of the parents is also necessary.
Time-consuming and expensive.
This is true of any treatment, but in all cases, it takes time and costs money. In particular, unlike the general treatment covered by insurance, which is just shave, fill, and be done with it, MFT (oral myofunctional therapy) is not covered by insurance and is an unrestricted treatment, requiring time and money. Prices vary from dentist to dentist, and the cost of treatment may be unexpectedly high.
Differences in competence of technicians.
There are many dental clinics that offer "MFT" (oral myofunctional therapy). Therefore, the teaching ability varies from technician to technician. It is undeniable that this can lead to differences in the results obtained.
No facilities nearby
In some areas, there may not be a dental clinic nearby where you can receive "MFT (oral myofunctional therapy)". MFT (oral myofunctional therapy)" is characterized by the fact that its effects can be obtained through continuous treatment. Therefore, it is necessary to consider whether long-term visits are possible before starting treatment.
I can't get the desired effect.
He said there is a discrepancy between the treatment plan and the actual action,I'm not getting the changes I thought I would.There are times when this may be the case. In such cases, it may be necessary to revise the treatment plan or redo the treatment.
Disadvantages of MFT
... Your child needs to be motivated.
MFT (oral myofunctional therapy) is different from orthodontic treatment, which involves metal appliances and is left up to the dentist.It is essential that the patient himself/herself be motivated. The cooperation of the parents is also necessary.
Time-consuming and expensive.
This is true of any treatment, but in all cases, it is time-consuming and expensive. In particular, unlike the typical insurance treatment of cutting and filling and calling it a day,MFT (oral myofunctional therapy) is a free treatment not covered by insurance and requires time and money. Prices vary among dental clinics, and the cost of treatment may be unexpectedly high.
Differences in competence of technicians.
There are many dental clinics that offer "MFT" (oral myofunctional therapy). Therefore, the teaching ability varies from technician to technician. It is undeniable that this can lead to differences in the results obtained.
There is no dental clinic nearby that offers MFT.
In some areas, there may not be a dental clinic nearby that offers "MFT" (oral myofunctional therapy).MFT (oral myofunctional therapy)" is characterized by the fact that it is effective when continued.Therefore, it is necessary to consider whether long-term hospital visits are feasible before going in for treatment.
I can't get the desired effect.
Sometimes there is a discrepancy between the treatment plan and the actual action, and the changes are not achieved as expected. In such cases,In some cases, it may be necessary to revise the treatment plan or redo the treatment.
MFT Training Methods
There are four main methods of MFT (oral myofunctional therapy).
Spot Position
Use a wooden spatula or similar tool to memorize the correct position of the tongue.
Popping
Practice lifting the tongue.
Slurp & Swallow
It is the practice of swallowing things.
Posture
Make it a habit to keep the tongue on the maxilla on a daily basis.
summary
MFT (oral myofunctional therapy) is a functional training program that promotes the correct growth of the muscles around the mouth, which can help correct various bad habits, achieve a beautiful dental alignment, and promote healthy physical development. This will save you money and reduce health risks in the future.
It may be no exaggeration to say that MFT is a treatment that can lead to future health and happiness as well as present life.Parents who are concerned about their children's bad habits should consider MFT (oral myofunctional therapy).
RELATED:What can be done about misaligned baby teeth?
Graduated from Nagasaki University School of Dentistry, ~2018 Kyushu Medical Center, 2018-present Working at a dental clinic in Tokyo
After completing clinical training, worked in cosmetic dentistry in Tokyo. Currently a dentist and dental writer.
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