Exercises for Overactive Mentalis

Q:  I’ll be seeing a patient soon (a referral from a dentist) for a 14 year old with a very overactive mentalis! What exercises help relax the mentalis?  Lip exercises, focusing on dissociating from the mentalis?  I do see the air bumps and chin pulls in the manual, but don’t know how long to use them.  Any suggestions would be appreciated.   Thank you!

A:  Yes, you should be using the two mentalis exercises that are in the MYO MANUAL.  In order to help relax the mentalis, the exercises are meant to be used over a period of a few months. Also, if the person has a noticeable overbite or open bite or underbite/class III, remember that keeping the lips closed forces the mentalis to be overused, so be certain you keep those considerations in mind.