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)