Disclosed is a masticatory muscle exercise device. The masticatory muscle exercise device includes: an upper mouthpiece; a lower mouthpiece; and at least one elastic member applying elasticity to the upper mouthpiece and the lower mouthpiece. According to the masticatory muscle exercise device, a user can strengthen his/her masticatory muscles by actively exercising.

Embodiments described herein include a substantially elongated and curvilinear polycarbonate mechanism with a chin and chest pad that may be releasably or permanently secured to the mechanism using at least a set screw or glue. The polycarbonate mechanism is flexible, durable and allows a user to customize chin elevation and exercise the chin, mouth, and throat to combat dysphagia and improve speech, voice, posture, and jaw alignment. Furthermore, the apparatus may be used with a variety of throat, jaw, and mouth exercises to isolate specific muscle groups and increase rehabilitation efficiency.

An oral function device. The oral function device may include an elongated hollow handle with a flange disposed around a first opening of the elongated hollow handle. The oral function device may include an elongated chew piece fixated by the end plug to prevent the elongated chew piece from falling off the elongated hollow handle. The elongated chew piece may rotate freely inside the elongated hollow handle.

Apparatuses and methods for an oropharyngeal exercise device. The oropharyngeal exercise device has interchangeable parts comprising complete mouthpieces, complete springs, a housing, a progress gauge, and a stopper. The oropharyngeal exercise device and its interchangeable parts are organized and stored in a standardized kit. The kit allows a patient to take the exercise device on the go and makes home-health treatment of oropharyngeal disorders easier and more accessible. Patients can customize the exercise type and resistance. A variety of mouthpieces also allows patients to perform not only isometric exercises, but also perform dynamic exercises to increase flexibility and range of motion.

A facial exercise apparatus for facial muscle and bone resistance training and method of use. The facial exercise apparatus includes one or more flexor arms and a mouthpiece stabilizer, each connected to a flexor head connector. The flexor arm(s) extend upward, downward, left or right from the flexor head connector, have contours to place the patient's lips, and provide a resistance force outward from the flexor head connector. In use, a patient places and bites down upon the mouthpiece stabilizer, places a portion of their lips along a contoured portion of one or more of the flexor arms, and pushes their lips toward the center of the flexor head connector against the resistance of the flexor arm(s). When done at regular intervals and increasing resistances, the apparatus can strengthen a patient's facial muscles and bone and reduce the cosmetic appearance of wrinkles on their face.

A method includes: acquiring chewing/swallowing information via a network from a sensing device installed on a user, wherein the chewing/swallowing information is related to chewing of the user when the user eats a first printed food; determining based on the chewing/swallowing information, a meal duration of the user, and determining based on a first print pattern and the meal duration, a second print pattern for a second printed food to be created by a food printer; and transmitting print control information to the food printer via the network, wherein the print control information is used for causing the food printer to create the second printed food using the determined second print pattern.

A control method includes: acquiring chewing/swallowing information via a network from a sensing device with which a user is equipped, wherein the chewing/swallowing information is related to chewing of the user when the user eats a first printed food; determining based on the chewing/swallowing information, a swallow cycle duration of the user, and determining based on a first hardness and the swallow cycle duration, a second hardness for a second printed food to be created by a food printer; and transmitting print control information to the food printer via the network, wherein the print control information being used for causing the food printer to create the second printed food having the determined second hardness.

A device is described that can effectively increase the range of motion of a jaw of a patient to address physiological conditions that involve restricted range of motion of the jaw of the patient. The device can be used to apply opposing forces to the maxillary and mandibular teeth, which can stretch the temporomandibular joint and mandibular muscles, which in turn can aid in opening of the jaw. Furthermore, the device includes a spring, which is configured to be stretched when the patient performs mastication motions. Such stretching of the spring dynamically applies varying amounts of force on the jaw depending on the position of the jaw during the entire range of motion of the jaw, and severity of the physiological condition such as trismus. Such dynamic force requires the jaw to perform different amounts of work at various positions, which aids in the opening of the jaw.

Maxillary and mandibular appliances can be mounted to a user's upper and lower jaws. The appliances can include a palatal pad, buccal tubes, hamular notch tubes, and an anterior deprogrammer. The various portions of the appliances can provoke beneficial reactions by muscles in the tongue and jaw area, massage the same muscles, or provide other beneficial effects.

The various devices and systems herein include oropharyngeal exercise devices having a pump bulb with a bulb body having a flow restriction structure with a restricted configuration in which the flow restriction structure is configured to restrict the flow of fluid through the lumen such that the user must apply a force to increase the flow of the fluid. Other devices include containers and/or lids thereof with the bulbs attached to or integrated therein.