Pediatric Physician

How Orofacial Myology Can Benefit Your Patients

You See the Damage Orofacial Muscle Dysfunctions Can Cause Every Day

Do Your Patients Have Any of these symptoms?

  • Chronic digestive discomforts (aerophagia): bloating, burping, flatulence, abdominal distension, some forms of IBS and acid reflux

  • Chronic headaches

  • Mouth breathing or lips resting open

  • Cannot breathe through their nose

  • Sleep disordered breathing (snoring or apnea)

  • ADHD symptoms

  • Tired eyes and a thin, long face

  • Memory troubles, brain fog, decreased productivity

  • Breathing difficulties, asthma

  • Sinus infections

  • Speech impediment

  • Non-nutritrive daily oral habit.

  • Unexplained facial, jaw, neck or upper back pain

  • Memory troubles, brain fog, decreased productivity

  • Scar tissue in the oral-facial region that is causing discomfort or strained range of motion

  • Slow to heal

  • Asymmetrical facial features

  • Teeth crowding/crooked, narrow jaw

  • Prone to cavities

  • These are all side-effects of detrimental habits which can be improved

Orofacial disorders can cause a domino effect of discomforts and potentially painful chronic disorders throughout your patient's body. Collaborating between our two professions can improve your patient's health. 

The Oral-Facial Advantage Program helps to soothe head/neck discomforts, potentially finds the root of frequent headaches, opens your patient's upper airway, improves their breathing, sleeping, facial symmetry, increases endurance, focus, memory, enhances speech, eases digestive discomforts, and eliminates oral habits... 
Plus much more.

Oral-Facial Advantage Program Description


It begins by eliminating any noxious oral habits that can be detrimental to the treatment and long term success of the program. 


Once eliminated, we train a neutral oral resting posture which tones and/or relaxes the muscles and tissues of the tongue, throat, jaw, face, head, and neck. 


This sets the patient up to have the correct toning and positioning for the deglutition program. They begin with the swallowing of water, then soft, medium, hard, and mixed foods. From snacks to main meals, until the corrected practice is naturally a part of their daily life. 


Throughout the program their sleep disordered breathing pattern is being reset. Their upper airway is being toned from all angles, they have a new beneficial oral resting posture, and the re-trained swallow pattern is being repeated throughout the night. Locking in muscle memory for long-term oral-facial comfort. 


The Oral-Facial Advantage Program re-trains deeply ingrained detrimental oral and facial habits with new beneficial ones. The Orofacial Myologist uses easy to-do, scientifically designed muscle/tissue exercises, personalized to the individual's orofacial disorder.


Let us work together, igniting a myriad of health advantages in the short and long-term. 

The Advantage Program Can Help Ease These Dysfunctions From the Foundation Up

Mouth Breathing

Postural Problems

Mouth breathers tend to assume a characteristic posture in order to make their breathing easier. This entails carrying their heads forward in order to compensate for the restriction to their airways.20
The forward head posture often leads to: Muscle fatigue, neck pain, tension in the TMJ area, spinal disc compression, early arthritis, tension headaches, and dental occlusal problems.21

"If mouth breathing is treated early, its negative effects on facial and dental development, along with medical and social problems associated with it, can be reduced or averted"16

Mouth Breathing

Causes Long Face Syndrome11,16,19,23

Crooked Teeth

Narrow Jaw & Face

Poorly Defined Cheekbones

Jaw Set Back/Malocclusion

Underdeveloped Upper Airway (may experience more sinus infections & pressure)

Caries/Perio/Xerostomia

Dries out our bodies and mouths 42% more than nasal breathing, contributes to dehydration22

Causes cavities and gum disease23

Narrow Jaw & Palate, Crooked/Crowded Teeth

Soft Foods = Shrinking Jaws

Stanford University Article, Shrinking Jaws:36

"The shrinking of the human jaw in modern humans is not due to genetics but is a lifestyle disease that can be proactively addressed, according to Stanford researchers."
"One obvious factor is the softening of diets, especially with the relatively recent invention of processed foods. Also, less chewing is needed nowadays to extract adequate nutrition..."
"The proper development of the jaw and its associated soft tissues is guided by oral posture – the positioning of the jaws and the tongue during times when children are not eating or speaking. This positioning is especially important overnight during long sleep stretches, when swallowing maintains the correct, gentle pressures."

Tongue Thrust During Atypical Swallowing

Even an untoned tongue is made of 8 strong muscles. The tongue resting incorrectly puts considerable pressure against oral structures. These structures don't have the strength to resist causing bone loss around the teeth and tooth mobility (one cause of periodontal disease).17,18,19

Bone loss around specific teeth17,18
Tooth mobility17,18
Open bites17,18

Ankyloglossia (Tongue-Tied)

A condition where the tongue has a varying degree of restriction (a reduced range of motion). This prevents the tongue from reaching proper positioning during eating, swallowing, breathing, sleeping, and speaking, causing the muscles and tissues in the head and neck region to over-compensate. This has many side-effects.25,26,27,28,29,30 
Ankyloglossia can also cause the upper airway to narrow, potentially creating sleep disordered breathing.58
Damaging Oral Resting Postures

The tongue from the tip to the posterior needs to be toned to rest in the palate. Most tongues are untrained/untoned, which can cause snoring and apnea.35,36

Jaw strain. Clenching, grinding, muscle bracing, oral habits, teeth resting together... There are many ways to stress the jaw muscles and tissues. 

Repetitive Non-Nutritive Oral Habits

Habits: Sucking thumb, finger, lips, or biting nails, cheeks, tongue, hair...etc.

Open Bites, Malocclusion, Crooked Teeth38,39,41,45

Narrow Jaw41,43,44

Vaulted Palate43,44

Tonsil/Adenoid infections/swelling53

Long Face Syndrome39,41,42,43,45

Ortho Relapse19

Sleep Disordered Breathing12

Asymmetrical Face39,41,42,43,45

When we consistently place something in the way of the oral structures and jaw, the anatomy will slowly form around this obstruction.39,41 Like a tree will form around a fence that is in its growth path. 
Formula: frequency + intensity + duration = negative dental and oral changes53
Placing the jaw in a repetitive incorrect position can cause severe muscle/tissue/joint strain.19

Sleep Disordered Breathing (Snoring/Apnea)12

Depression6

ADHD11,13,14,15

Memory Loss8,16

Mental Confusion16

High Blood Sugar Levels3

Deprives Body of Needed Oxygen Levels24

Linked to Fatty Liver Disease4

Decreased Growth Hormone Levels31,32,33

Asthma Symptoms & Increased Risk of Asthma Complications5

Abnormal Cholesterol2

Snoring & Apnea

"Plenty of snorers have weak jaw muscles or excess weight on their chins that pulls the mouth open whilst they sleep. This causes a troublesome switch to mouth breathing. Studies have shown that your airway is narrower and more elongated when you breathe through your mouth, making vibrations more likely."46
"Researchers have found that doing repetitive oropharyngeal exercises while you’re awake can help keep the tissue from becoming excessively floppy and vibrating during sleep. Several studies have shown that toning these muscles has been shown to help reduce snoring and milder forms of obstructive sleep apnea."54,55

ADHD

National Sleep Foundation.org:

“An estimated 25 to 50% of people with ADHD experience sleep problems, ranging from insomnia to secondary sleep conditions.

Doctors are starting to realize the importance of treating sleep problems and the impact this can have on both ADHD symptoms and quality of life for ADHD patients and their families.”13


"According to the National Sleep Foundation, ADHD is also associated with a variety of sleep problems. When children are tired, they behave differently from tired adults. Adults slow down and become irritable and sluggish. Children tend to overcompensate and become hyperactive.


Because of this, sleep deprivation as a result of sleep disordered breathing, can be wrongly diagnosed as ADHD. Children can be aggressive, over-emotional or moody when tired. One study of 2,463 children aged between 6 and 15 years found that children with sleep disorders were more likely to be impulsive, hyperactive and inattentive."11,13,15,53

Aerophagia Definition: The swallowing of air, whether accidentally, or as an involuntary habit.52

Produces Uncomfortable Gastrointestinal Symptoms:34,49,50,51

Abdominal Distension

Bloating

Belching

Flatulence

Some Types of Acid Reflux & IBS

The Oral-Facial Advantage Program

Most programs last approximately 1 year.

Patients are seen weekly and assigned exercises that tone or relax the muscles in their head/neck region specific to their disorder.

You will be updated throughout their treatment progress.

At What Age Can Patients Begin Oral-Facial Muscle Therapy?

All ages.

The biggest impact can be made with children since their oral-facial structure and behavior is in a more flexible stage of growth. As adults, our muscles and tissues can be toned and relaxed where needed, making a large impact on how we age and the quality of life into our senior years. Make a difference in your health at any age.


Mature 3 to 4 year old mouth breathers can learn nasal breathing.

A mentally prepared 5 year old can begin the Oral Habit Elimination Program.

A 7 to 8 year old and up can start the Oral-Facial Advantage Program.


Who is Eligible for a Free Consult?

Everyone.

All ages can come in for a free consult. 

It is a great opportunity for the patient's questions to be answered and to meet the Orofacial Myologist.

Contact Us for Patient Referral Business Cards or to Book a Lunch & Learn

Please Ask Any Questions You Have

*Required

Sources

1Key, Josephine. “‘The core’: understanding it, and retraining its dysfunction.” Journal of bodywork and movement therapies 17, no. 4 (2013): 541-559.

2Gunduz C, et al "Obstructive sleep apnea independently predicts lipid levels: Data from the European Sleep Apnea Database" Respirology 2018; DOI: 10.1111/resp.13372.

3Jimmy Doumit, Bharati Prasad. "Sleep Apnea in Type 2 Diabetes" Diabetes Spectrum 2016 Feb; 29(1): 14-19.

4Omar A. Mesarwi, Rohit Loomba, Aul Malhotra. "Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Hypoxia, and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease" ATS Journals 2018 Nov; V199, I7.

5Bharati Prasad, Sharmilee M. Nyenhuis, Ikuyo Imayama. "Asthma and Obstructive Sleep Apnea Overlap: What has the evidence taught us?" ATS Journals 2019 Dec;V201, I11.

6Ejaz, Shakir M et al. “Obstructive sleep apnea and depression: a review.” Innovations in clinical neuroscience vol. 8,8 (2011): 17-25.

7Djupesland PG, Chatkin JM, Qian W, Haight JS. Nitric oxide in the nasal airway: a new dimension in otorhinolaryngology. Am J Otolaryngol.2001 Jan; 22(1): 19-32.

8Lunn M, Craig T. Rhinitis and sleep. Sleep Med Rev. 2011 Oct;15(5):293-9

9Muliol J, Maurer M, Bousquet J. Sleep and allergic rhinitis. Journal Investigation Allergol Clinical Immunology. 2008;18(6):415-9.

10Ohki M, Usui N, Kanazawa H, Hara I, Kawano K. Relationship between oral breathing and nasal obstruction in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea. Acta Otolaryngol Suppl. 1996;523:228-30.

11Jefferson Y. Mouth breathing: adverse effects on facial growth, health, academics and behaviour. General dentist. 2010 Jan- Feb; 58 (1): 18-25.

12Fitzpatrick MF, McLean H, Urton AM, Tan A, O’Donnell D, Driver HS. Effect of nasal or oral breathing route on upper airway resistance during sleep. Eur Respir J. 2003 Nov;22(5):827-32.

13“ADHD and Sleep.” ADHD & Sleep Problems-National Sleep Foundation. National Sleep Foundation, 2017. Web. 11 Feb.2017. https://sleepfoundation.org/sleep-disorders-problems/adhd-and-sleep.

14Shur-Fen Gau S. Prevalence of sleep problems and their association with inattention/hyperactivity among children aged 6-15 in Taiwan.J Sleep Res. 2006 Dec;15(4):403-14.

15Borres MP. Allergic rhinitis: more than just a stuffy nose. Acta Paediatrica. 2009 Jul;98(7):1088-92)

16Pereira F, Motonaga S, Faria P, Matsumoto M, Trawitzki L, Lima S, Lima W. Myofunctional and Cephalometric Evaluation of Mouth Breathers. Brazilian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology. 2001. 67 (1): 43-49.

17Garliner D. Myofunctional Therapy. Philadelphia: Saunders, 1976. Print.(10-12)

18John E. Hall, Arthur C Guyton. Tongue posture and swallowing. Guyton and Hall textbook of medical physiology, 12th edition. 2010; 763-765.

19Paskay L. OMD Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders: Assessment, prevention and treatment. JAOS. 2012 march-april; 34-40.

20Okuro RT, Morcillo AM, Ribeiro MÂ, Sakano E, Conti PB, Ribeiro JD. Mouth breathing and forward head posture: effects on respiratory biomechanics and exercise capacity in children. J Bras Pneumol.2011 Jul-Aug; 37(4):471-9.

21Damaging Effects of Forward Head Posture.(2015, January 22). Retrieved from http://www.denvertechchiro.com/files/fhp_revised.pdf

22Svensson S, Olin AC, Hellgren J. Increased net water loss by oral compared to nasal expiration in healthy subjects. Rhinology. 2006 Mar;44(1):74-7. PMID: 16550955.

23Surtel A, Klepacz R, Wysokińska-Miszczuk J. Wpływ toru oddechowego na jamę ustną [The influence of breathing mode on the oral cavity]. Pol Merkur Lekarski. 2015 Dec;39(234):405-7. Polish. PMID: 26802697.

24Steffen, Patrick R et al. “The Impact of Resonance Frequency Breathing on Measures of Heart Rate Variability, Blood Pressure, and Mood.” Frontiers in public health vol. 5 222. 25 Aug. 2017, doi:10.3389/fpubh.2017.00222

25Tongue-tie (ankyloglossia). American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. http://www.entnet.org/content/tongue-tie-ankyloglossia. Accessed Feb. 13, 2018.

26Isaacson GC. Ankyloglossia (tongue-tie) in infants and children. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Feb. 14, 2018.

27Chinnadurai S, et al. Treatment of ankyloglossia for reasons other than breastfeeding: A systemic review. Pediatrics. 2015;135:e1467.

28Baker AR, et al. Surgical treatment of ankyloglossia. Operative Techniques in Otolaryngology. 2015;26:28.

29Walsh J, et al. Diagnosis and treatment of ankyloglossia in newborns and infants. JAMA Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. 2017;143:1032.

30O'Shea JE, et al. Frenotomy for tongue-tie in newborn infants. Cochrane Database of Systemic Reviews. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD011065.pub2/abstract. Accessed Feb. 14, 2018.

31Davidson, J R et al. “Growth hormone and cortisol secretion in relation to sleep and wakefulness.” Journal of psychiatry & neuroscience : JPN vol. 16,2 (1991): 96-102.

32Takahashi, Y et al. “Growth hormone secretion during sleep.” The Journal of clinical investigation vol. 47,9 (1968): 2079-90. doi:10.1172/JCI105893

33Honda, Y et al. “Growth hormone secretion during nocturnal sleep in normal subjects.” The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism vol. 29,1 (1969): 20-9. doi:10.1210/jcem-29-1-20

34Morabito G, et al. (2014). Functional aerophagia in children: A frequent, atypical disorder. DOI:10.1159/000362441

35Timmons, Beverly H., and Ronald Ley. “Behavioral and Psychological Approaches to Breathing.

36https://news.stanford.edu/2020/07/21/toll-shrinking-jaws-human-health/

37Schmidt JE, Carlson CR, Usery AR, Quevedo AS. Effects of tongue position on mandibular muscle activity and heart rate function. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod. 2009;108:881-888

38Warren JJ, Slayton RL, Bishara SE, Levy SM, Yonezu T, Kanellis MJ. Effects of nonnutritive sucking habits on occlusal characteristics in the mixed dentition. Pediatr Dent. 2005 Nov-Dec;27(6):445-50. PMID: 16532883.

39Bishara SE, Warren JJ, Broffitt B, Levy SM. Changes in the prevalence of nonnutritive sucking patterns in the first 8 years of life. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop. 2006 Jul;130(1):31-6. doi: 10.1016/j.ajodo.2004.11.033. PMI: 16849069.

40Farsi NM, Salama FS. Sucking habits in Saudi children: prevalence, contributing factors and effects on the primary dentition. Pediatr Dent. 1997 Jan-Feb;19(1):28-33. PMID: 9048410.

41Garattini G, Crozzoli P, Valsasina A. Ruolo del succhiamento protratto nell'insorgenza di alterazioni dento-scheletriche del distretto facciale: revisione della letteratura [Role of prolonged sucking in the development of dento-skeletal changes in the face. Review of the literature]. Mondo Ortod. 1990 Sep-Oct;15(5):539-50. Italian. PMID: 2280788.

42Kuijpers-Jagtman AM. Gevolgen van zuiggewoonten voor de ontwikkeling van het tandkaakstelsel [Effects of sucking habits on the dentofacial development]. Ned Tijdschr Tandheelkd. 1989 Jun;96(6):256-8. Dutch. PMID: 2635279.

43Estripeaut LE, Henriques JF, de Almeida RR. Hábito de sucção do polegar e má oclusão--apresentação de um caso clínico [Thumbsucking and malocclusion--presentation of a clinical case]. Rev Odontol Univ Sao Paulo. 1989 Apr-Jun;3(2):371-6. Portuguese. PMID: 2639459.

44Grippaudo C, Paolantonio EG, Antonini G, Saulle R, La Torre G, Deli R. Association between oral habits, mouth breathing and malocclusion. Acta Otorhinolaryngol Ital. 2016 Oct;36(5):386-394. doi: 10.14639/0392-100X-770. PMID: 27958599; PMCID: PMC5225794.

45Doğramacı EJ, Rossi-Fedele G. Establishing the association between nonnutritive sucking behavior and malocclusions: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Am Dent Assoc. 2016 Dec;147(12):926-934.e6. doi: 10.1016/j.adaj.2016.08.018. Epub 2016 Sep 28. PMID: 27692622.

46Lee SH, et al. How Does Open-Mouth Breathing Influence Upper Airway Anatomy? The Laryngoscope 2007; 117:1102-1106. https://doi.org/10.1097/MLG.0b013e318042aef7

47Meerman R, Brown A J. When somebody loses weight, where does the fat go? BMJ 2014; 349 :g7257 doi:10.1136/bmj.g7257

48Camacho, Macario et al. “Myofunctional Therapy to Treat Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.” Sleep vol. 38,5 669-75. 1 May. 2015, doi:10.5665/sleep.4652

49Merck Manual Professional Version. Gas-related complaints.  https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/gastrointestinal-disorders/symptoms-of-gi-disorders/gas-related-complaints?query=gas-related complaints#. Accessed Jan. 8, 2020.

50Chitkara DK, Bredenoord AJ, Rucker MJ, Talley NJ. Aerophagia in adults: a comparison with functional dyspepsia. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2005 Nov 1;22(9):855-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2036.2005.02651.x. PMID: 16225495.

51Abraczinskas D. Overview of intestinal gas and bloating. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Jan. 8, 2020.

52https://www.healthline.com/health/aerophagia

53Proffit WR. Contemporary Orthodontics Fourth Edition. Elsevier, Health Sciences Education, Marketing.