When the nose is congested or occluded mouth breathing is obligatory. However, often the habit of oral breathing is present even after the nasal breathing is restored.

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Embryological remnant of tissue or apnoneurosis of the genioglossus muscle in the midline between the undersurface of the tongue and the floor of the mouth that restricts tongue movement. Ankyloglossia is a severely restricted tongue-tie. (restricted).

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Chewing disorders are chewing with the mouth open; excessive chewing of gum; exclusive chewing on one side; avoidance of foods with certain textures such as meat, raw vegetables, seeds, some fruit and nuts; preference for soft or pureed food; pain or discomfort during chewing; abnormal jaw movements.

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The tonsils and adenoids are part of the immune system in children. Adenoids are situated in the posterior portion of the nose. Enlarged tonsils and adenoids reduced or prevent nasal breathing, proper function… Read More

Any time the nasal breathing is impaired, temporarily or chronically, the jaw drops and the tongue positions itself low and forward to open up the upper airways. A low tongue rest position (or posture) is either a necessity or a habit… Read More

Saliva has multiple purposes and its enzymes provide the beginning of the digestive system. Too little saliva affects chewing, swallowing, teeth and gums health, speech, sleep breathing and digestion… Read More

Also called Venous Pooling, it’s the darker area underneath the eyes, often present in persons with allergies, whom can also exhibit scratching, twitching and wiping of the nose (allergic salute).

The most important breathing abnormality is lack of proper, effortless and quiet nasal breathing, as air transiting through the nose receives many benefits that oral breathing does not provide.

The habits continues to encourage abnormal growth and development and may lead to orthodontic problems, TMJD, peri-oral skin conditions, dry and cracked lips, narrow palate, nail and finger skin infections etc. Attention must be paid to underlining physiological, psychological disorders and behavior problems.

Lip-tie also called a restricted labial or buccal frenum, is an embryologic remnant of tissue, also called mid-line deficiency, which may restrict normal lip function.

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Facial muscle dysfunctions (parafunctions) include lips open at rest, use of facial muscles to stabilize the mandible during swallowing, mannerism (puckering, pressing, shifting), excessive muscle tension, tension of the neck muscles, wrinkling of forehead, periocular muscles and furrowing of facial muscles. Usually accompany a tongue thrust swallow.

When the orofacial muscle function and patterns are incorrect, the symmetry, equilibration and range of motion of the TMJ may be dysfunctional, causing discomfort or pain.

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Snoring occurs when air flows past relaxed tissues in the throat causing the tissues to vibrate as one breathes, which creates irritating sounds. The irregular airflow may be caused by a passageway blockage and may influence the soft palate and uvula to collapse.

A normal palate is shallow and with a large arch. When the tongue rests low habitually, there is a prolonged thumb sucking habit and proper nasal breathing is absent the force of the cheeks push the maxilla inward… Read More

The Eustachian tubes connect the middle ear with the posterior portion of the nose. They provide
aeration, air pressure balance and drainage to the middle ear… Read More

Perception of a noise in the ear, chronic or intermittent, sounding like a whistle, or rushing water or a buzzing
or a hissing and more. Tinnitus is more common in people with TMJ disorders and is more bothersome in a quiet environment.

Lack of nasal breathing or sleep disordered breathing may lead to the tongue moving or resting forward and pushing against the teeth (static). During the swallow, instead of pushing up to the palate the tongue moves forward or laterally, called anterior, bi-lateral, unilateral or bi-maxillary tongue thrust (dynamic).

Although there is a range of normalcy in the swallowing pattern, usually, swallowing with a tongue thrust (forward or lateral), with lips open, with unstable jaw stabilized by tongue and facial muscles is considered to be atypical, which is a mild degree of swallowing disorder.

The masseters are both chewing muscles and postural muscles to keep the jaw in place during activities such as walking, running or jumping. The masseters are designed to crush food between the teeth, so when the teeth are in malocclusion and do not touch, the masseters are de-activated… Read More

Snoring, Sleep Apnea, Narcolepsy, Circadian Rhythm, Sleep Disorders, Insomnia, Night terrors, Nightmares, Sleep walking, Sleep talking, Bedwetting, Sleep related, Movement disorders, Excessive Daytime, Sleepiness disorders

Malocclusion is the inability of the teeth to intelock properly during chewing and swallowing. Angle’s classification of malocclusion looks at the relationship of maxillary and mandibular teeth.

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When the tongue constantly pushes against the teeth, especially in adults, the tongue develops indentations on the side. Scalloping is very common in people who have OSA or a restricted oral volume as in certain malocclusions.

Mis-use or dis-use of the orofacial muscles and functions cause esthetic problems such as unpleasant open mouth posture, tongue thrust, facial grimaces, mannerisms, wrinkles and furrows, which can create self image issues.

Failure to latch on the breast, drooling, GERD, SIDS, sleep difficulties, tooth eruption problems, development of a high narrow palate, ADHD, breathing problems such as asthma and mouth breathing.