A
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Allergic Shiners
Dark, bruise-like circles under the eyes from nasal congestion and venous pooling — a possible clue to chronic airway issues.
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Ankyloglossia (Tongue Tie)
A lingual frenulum that is too short, tight, or restrictive, limiting tongue mobility and potentially affecting rest posture, feeding, speech, and growth.
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B
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Bolus Collection
Gathering food into a swallow-ready mass. Orofacial myology relates oral muscle function to chewing and bolus collection as well as speech and dentition.
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Buccal Frena
Cheek frena (four in the mouth). Part of the seven oral frena alongside two labial and one lingual frenulum.
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C
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Certified Orofacial Myologist (COM)
IAOM credential for qualified clinicians (such as RDHs, dentists, or SLPs) who complete specialized training and clinical evaluation in orofacial myology.
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Cleanup Swallow
The tongue's role as "janitor of the oral cavity" — a functional swallow pattern that helps clear the mouth and supports oral health in published OMT teaching.
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F
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Freeway Space
A small resting gap (often described as about 2–3 mm) between the molars when the jaw is at rest — part of healthy Oral Rest Posture descriptions.
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Frenectomy / Frenuloplasty
Surgical release of a restrictive frenulum by a dentist or physician. Best paired with functional assessment and myofunctional support before and after.
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H
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Habit Appliance (Crib / Rake)
Dental devices that block the tongue. OMT education warns they can prevent healthy rest posture and invite compensations if used as the only fix for tongue thrust.
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I
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IAOM
International Association of Orofacial Myology — the organization that grants the trademarked COM credential.
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L
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Labial Frenulum (Lip Tie)
Tissue connecting the lip to the gum. Upper lip ties can affect lip function; release decisions should follow functional assessment.
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Lingual Frenulum
The band of tissue connecting the tongue to the floor of the mouth. When short, tight, or restrictive, it is called a tongue tie (ankyloglossia).
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Lip Competency
Ability to rest the lips together without strain. Essential to Oral Rest Posture; incompetence affects function, growth, esthetics, speech, and breathing.
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Lip Incompetence
Difficulty resting the lips together without strain. Often linked to mouth breathing and incomplete Oral Rest Posture.
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Long Face Syndrome
Educational term for facial lengthening patterns associated with habitual mouth breathing and restricted jaw development.
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M
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Midfacial Hypoplasia (Educational Sign)
Underdevelopment of midface structures discussed in airway-aware facial assessment. Visible sclera under the iris is one published clue Angie associates with this pattern.
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Mouth Breathing
Habitual breathing through the mouth instead of the nose. Associated with facial growth changes, dental issues, dry oral tissues, and sleep/attention concerns.
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N
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Nasal Breathing
Breathing through the nose — the healthier default. Filters, warms, and humidifies air and supports nitric oxide production in the sinuses.
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Nitric Oxide (Sinonasal)
A molecule produced in the paranasal sinuses during nasal breathing that supports antimicrobial defense and oxygen delivery in educational OMT framing.
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Non-Nutritive Sucking
Sucking for comfort rather than feeding (thumb, finger, pacifier). Helpful in infancy; prolonged use can reshape oral development.
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O
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Open Bite
A dental relationship where front teeth do not meet. Can be associated with sucking habits, tongue posture, and airway-driven patterns.
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Oral Rest Posture
The default resting position of the tongue, lips, and jaws when not speaking or eating. Healthy patterns usually include nasal breathing, sealed lips, and tongue on the palate.
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Orofacial Myofunctional Disorder (OMD)
A pattern of atypical oral/facial muscle function or rest posture that can affect teeth, speech, swallowing, breathing, and facial growth.
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Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT)
Neuromuscular exercises and habit guidance that retrain oral and facial muscles to rest and function properly, supporting breathing, swallowing, speech, and dental stability.
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Orthodontic Relapse
Teeth shifting after orthodontic treatment. Poor Oral Rest Posture and untreated tongue restriction are discussed as functional contributors to relapse risk.
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Overjet
Horizontal projection of the upper front teeth. Prolonged sucking habits are one contributor among several.
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P
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Patent Airway
An airway open enough for comfortable nasal breathing. OMT education emphasizes clearing blockage (ENT/allergy) before rest-posture habits fully stick.
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Positive Habit Elimination
A supportive, non-shaming approach to ending prolonged sucking habits — preferred over yelling, nagging, or bitter coatings that often backfire.
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T
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Tongue Thrust
A visible forward or sideways tongue push during speech or swallow — often a symptom of deeper rest-posture or airway issues, not the root cause alone.
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TOTs (Tethered Oral Tissues)
Umbrella term for restrictive oral frena (tongue, lip, buccal). Assessment should be functional, not appearance-only.
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