Upper Airway Resistance
What is Upper Airway Resistance? Upper Airway Resistance or UARS is when the soft tissues of your throat collapse and impede airflow while you sleep. UARS is a sleep disorder similar to obstructive sleep apnea, but not as severe. Patients with UARS often have trouble sleeping and daytime sleepiness. The main difference between the two […]
Tongue Tie
What is a tongue tie? A tongue tie occurs when lingual frenum (or lingual frenulum), the band of tissue that stretches from under the tongue to the floor of the mouth is too short or too wide. When this occurs, it causes restriction and it affects the mobility of the tongue. A severely restricted tongue […]
Tongue Posture/ Tongue Thrust
What is proper tongue posture? Proper tongue posture involves the placement and resting position of your tongue in your mouth. The ideal position for your tongue is pressed against the roof of your mouth rather than letting it rest in the bottom of your mouth or pressed against the back of your teeth. The tip […]
Orthodontic Relapse
What is a TMD? TMD, or temporomandibular disorder, is often referred to as TMJ syndrome. This term refers to any pain, discomfort, dysfunction, or tension related to the jaw. According to the American Academy of Craniofacial Pain, TMDs are a group of maladies that can affect the temporomandibular joints and the associated muscles of the jaw, […]
Oral Habits
What are oral habits? The following is a list of habits that could negatively impact orofacial function and growth, and potentially reduce the effectiveness of myofunctional therapy. Pacifier use Thumb/digit/tongue sucking Nail/blanket/lip biting/pen biting Leaning on hands/bad posture Mouth Breathing Sucking is a reflex, or natural behavior, in humans. Thumb and finger sucking for children […]
TMJ/Facial Pain
What is a TMD? TMD, or temporomandibular disorder, is often referred to as TMJ syndrome. This term refers to any pain, discomfort, dysfunction, or tension related to the jaw. According to the American Academy of Craniofacial Pain, TMDs are a group of maladies that can affect the temporomandibular joints and the associated muscles of the jaw, […]
Mouth Breathing
What is mouth breathing? Simply stated, it is breathing through the mouth instead of the nose. Mouth breathing starts when we can’t get enough air through the nose, so the mouth takes over. This forces us to breathe through the mouth out of sheer necessity. Breathing is meant to happen through the nose, It is […]
Sleep Disordered Breathing
Sleep Disordered Breathing What is sleep disordered breathing? The term sleep disordered breathing (SDB) includes several sleep related breathing abnormalities including snoring, Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), Central Sleep Apnea, Mixed Sleep Apnea, and Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS). What is sleep apnea? When a person has sleep apnea, their breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. […]