You can't teach people everything they need to know. The best you can do is position them where they can find what they need to know when they need to know it.

Definition:
Weigert’s Law explains that developmental structures follow predictable anatomical patterns that influence how the body functions.

Application to OMDs:
Structural differences such as tongue-tie or a high palate develop in predictable ways and can affect tongue movement, swallowing, and speech.
Evaluating the shape and structure of the mouth helps identify how form influences function and allows therapy to focus on restoring balance.

In Practice:
Myofunctional therapy applies this understanding by creating exercises that help the tongue, lips, and jaw work together more efficiently.

Definition:
Poiseuille’s Law describes how airflow through a passage depends on its size. Even a small reduction in airway size causes a large drop in airflow.

Application to OMDs:
Mouth breathing is often caused by nasal blockage or congestion that reduces airflow.
A low tongue posture can make the airway narrower and limit airflow to the lungs.
Training the tongue to rest on the palate and improving nasal breathing can increase airflow and oxygen exchange.

In Practice:
Myofunctional therapy teaches patients to maintain nasal breathing, which supports better oxygen levels, reduces fatigue, and helps prevent oral dryness.

Definition:
The Law of Facilitation states that when a nerve pathway is used repeatedly, it becomes easier for signals to travel along that path.

Application to OMDs:
A repeated swallowing pattern such as tongue thrust can become a habit stored in the nervous system.
Thumb sucking and mouth breathing strengthen the same unhelpful pathways.
Therapeutic exercises repeated consistently help the brain create new, healthier neural connections.

In Practice:
Myofunctional therapy strengthens the brain-muscle connection through repetition. Over time, this reprograms movement patterns that support correct swallowing, breathing, and speech.

Definition:
Wolff’s Law explains that bone tissue changes in response to the forces placed on it. Functional use influences the growth and shape of bone.

Application to OMDs:
Continuous tongue pressure against the teeth can reshape the dental arches and contribute to open bite or crowding.
A low tongue posture and chronic mouth breathing reduce tongue pressure on the palate, limiting normal midface growth.
Weak lip muscles can lead to poor lip seal and uneven growth patterns around the mouth.
Restoring proper muscle activity encourages balanced bone growth and supports stable orthodontic results.

In Practice:
Myofunctional therapy strengthens oral and facial muscles. Improved muscle tone and function help maintain healthy alignment and promote balanced facial development.