Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders & Red Flags
Sleep-Disordered Breathing: What You Need to Know
Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) refers to a range of conditions that interfere with normal breathing during sleep—including Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS) and Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). These conditions often go unnoticed but can seriously affect health, energy, and daily functioning.
UARS vs. OSA: What’s the Difference?
UARS involves a narrowed airway that increases breathing effort without fully blocking airflow. It often affects younger or thinner individuals and leads to frequent sleep disruptions, fatigue, and poor sleep quality—without major oxygen drops.
OSA is more severe, involving repeated airway collapses that cause loud snoring, drops in oxygen levels, and disrupted sleep. It’s more common in older or overweight individuals and is linked to serious health risks like high blood pressure and heart disease.
Signs of SDB in Adults and Children
Many people associate sleep apnea with loud snoring, but symptoms can be subtle or easily misdiagnosed—especially in children.
Common signs include:
Snoring or mouth breathing
Teeth grinding at night
Daytime fatigue or brain fog
Mood swings, anxiety, or depression
In children: hyperactivity, poor focus, bedwetting, delayed growth, or ADHD-like behavior
Why Myofunctional Therapy?
Myofunctional therapy targets the root of many airway issues by retraining the muscles of the tongue, throat, and face. This helps improve breathing patterns, supports proper oral development, and encourages healthy nasal breathing—leading to better sleep and fewer symptoms.
Early Action Matters
Left untreated, sleep-disordered breathing can interfere with brain development, learning, emotional regulation, and overall health—especially in children. The earlier it’s identified and addressed, the better the outcome.
If you, your spouse, or your child are experiencing symptoms like snoring, mouth breathing, or restless sleep, don’t wait!
The Tongue-Teeth Connection
An open bite occurs when the upper and lower teeth don’t meet, leaving a gap that can affect chewing, speech, and oral health. One common cause is poor tongue posture. When the tongue rests too low or presses against the front teeth, it can create an open bite or worsen existing dental misalignment. Tongue thrusting, where the tongue pushes forward during swallowing, can also contribute to these issues.
In addition to open bites, poor tongue posture can lead to crowded teeth, gaps, and flared teeth, as well as speech difficulties. Mouth breathing—often due to nasal congestion—further disrupts jaw development and causes the tongue to rest low, leading to narrow palates and misalignment in children.
Myofunctional therapy, which focuses on proper tongue posture and breathing exercises, can help prevent and correct these issues. When combined with orthodontic treatment, it leads to better long-term results and reduces the risk of relapse.
The constant pressure of the tongue against or between the teeth will not allow the teeth to bite together. This is known as an open bite.
An improper alignment or malocclusion between the upper and lower teeth can lead to difficulties in biting and chewing food.
How Mouth Breathing Affects Facial Growth, Dental Health, and Sleep
Chronic mouth breathing is more than a habit—it’s a root cause of many dental, facial, and health concerns. When the mouth becomes the primary airway, especially during sleep or in childhood, it can lead to lasting structural changes and ongoing health issues.
Key Impacts of Mouth Breathing:
Long Face Syndrome & Narrow Palate
Mouth breathing alters natural jaw development. Over time, it can cause a long, narrow face, high-arched palate, and underdeveloped jaws, especially in children. This often results in visible facial elongation and weak chin posture.Teeth Crowding & Bite Issues
Low tongue posture and open-mouth posture reduce tongue support to the upper jaw, leading to crowded teeth, open bites, and poor dental alignment. A narrow palate also limits space for permanent teeth to erupt correctly.Poor Sleep & Chronic Fatigue
Mouth breathing during sleep contributes to snoring, obstructed breathing, and sleep-disordered breathing, which reduce sleep quality. This can cause daytime tiredness, difficulty concentrating, and low energy levels.Under-Eye Darkness & Facial Appearance
Chronic poor sleep and altered facial development can result in dark circles under the eyes, a tired appearance, and reduced oxygenation—all common in children and adults who mouth-breathe regularly.Oral Health Risks
Mouth breathing dries out the oral cavity, increasing the risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and bad breath due to reduced saliva flow, which normally protects and remineralizes teeth.
Speech Problems that may develop from an OMD
Abnormal oral muscle patterns can affect speech, often leading to lisps or difficulty articulating certain sounds. Improper tongue and lip posture may interfere with clear speech, and the tongue can become easily fatigued during extended talking, making communication even more challenging.
Multi-Disciplinary Approach
Treating an orofacial myofunctional disorder (OMD) often requires a collaborative approach. A trained myofunctional therapist is a key part of the care team, working alongside dentists, orthodontists, speech therapists, osteopaths, and other allied professionals. We believe comprehensive evaluation from multiple perspectives is essential for effective, long-lasting results.
Review the warning signs from Sharon Moore's book, Sleep Wrecked Kids. If you answer "yes" or "unsure" to any, it may mean you need to ask more questions.
How does the face look at rest?
Puffy eyes?
Dark circles?
Dry lips?
Lips apart?
Red and/or irritated border around the lips?
A short upper lip that barely moves?
Does the lower lip dominate or sit out from the upper lip?
Runny nose?
Does the tongue sit low and forward, or is it ever visible between the lips?
Tendency to drool?
Wrinkled chin?
What about function?
Breath(es) through your/their mouth?
Chews food fast?
Messy eater?
Takes big bites?
Chews with an open mouth?
Have food left over in the mouth after swallowing?
Loud chewing?
Avoids eating chewy/crunchy food?
Audible swallow?
Makes a facial grimace or tightens their/you lip/chin muscles while swallowing?
Visually can see the tongue when chewing or during a swallow?
Tongue visible while talking?
Tongue out a lot while doing activities or concentrating?
Forward head posture?
Slumped posture?
How do things sound?
Is there often a coughing and/or throat-clearing habit?
Is there audible breathing?
Breathless with moderate activity?
Contact Us
We’re here when you’re ready. Use our contact form to connect with us—whether you’re looking for answers or ready to schedule, we’re happy to help.
*Please note that if you’re under 18 years of age, you’ will need to have your parent(s) or legal guardian contact us.
AMW Myofunctional Therapy is NOT in contract with any insurance providers.
HSA and FSA payments are approved.
