Orofacial dysfunction is commonly tongue thrusting, deviate swallowing, mouth breathing, orofacial muscle unevenness, deviate mandibular movement, and malocclusion (imperfect positioning of the teeth when the jaws are closed).

Orofacial dysfunction is connected to:

• Upper airway obstruction
• Finger or thumb sucking
• Pacifier or bottle use
• Orofacial muscular and structural differences
• Genetics

Signs and symptoms include:

• Speech distortion, such as a frontal lisp
• Open mouth positioning
• Dental abnormalities, like overjet or open bite
• Tongue thrust (when the tongue pushes against the teeth during speech or swallowing)