North Sound Myofunctional Therapy

06/05/2025

A rigorous journey completed! One that tested my knowledge, critical thinking skills, and clinical competency as an orofacial myofunctional therapist.

05/04/2025

This is all too common, especially in my generation where palatal expansion was not an orthodontic treatment option in childhood.
For many, like myself, a life time with a high narrow palate has resulted in a domino effect of chronic health conditions such as sleep apnea, breathing disorders related to restricted nasal airflow, teeth clenching/grinding, TMJ and neck pain, headaches, and the list goes on.

Luckily, for many years, palatal expansion has been a popular interceptive orthodontic treatment in children to not only make room for the adult teeth, but also for the tongue and to increase nasal volume.

Orthodontic technology has made great strides! Palate Expansion for adults is now possibile! For adult candidates, like myself, there is an orthodontic technique called MARPE (miniscrew assisted rapid palatal expansion)

Stay tuned to follow my upcoming MARPE journey.

The roof of the mouth, known as the palate, is directly connected to the nasal passages. When the palate is narrow, it can restrict airflow and create several issues. Here’s how it can impact breathing and health:

1. **Airflow Restriction**: A narrow palate can lead to a smaller nasal cavity, which makes it harder for air to flow freely in and out through the nose. This can result in nasal congestion and difficulty nasal breathing.

2. **Mouth Breathing**: If airflow through the nose is obstructed due to a narrow palate, children may resort to mouth breathing. This can lead to dry mouth, dental problems, and even affect speech development.

3. **Sleep Quality**: Poor airflow can also impact sleep. Children with a narrow palate may be more prone to sleep apnea or restless sleep, leading to fatigue and difficulties in concentration during the day.

4. **Facial Development**: Over time, a narrow palate can contribute to changes in facial structure, potentially leading to issues like malocclusion (misalignment of teeth) and other orthodontic concerns.

5. **Overall Health**: Since effective nasal breathing plays a crucial role in filtering, humidifying, and warming the air we breathe, any obstruction can affect overall respiratory health and well-being.

➡️ narrow palate -> low tongue posture

➡️ low tongue posture ->mouth breathing during critical growth periods -> maldevelopment of the jaw -> increase in the mandible plane angle (longer face), a higher palatal plane (affects upper airways), and narrowing of both upper and lower arches->malocclusion ->sleep disordered breathing

There are several influences which can affect facial growth and development.

One of the most common one in children is caused by a compromised airway - The inability to breathe properly through the nose.

Join Dr. Zaghi at our upcoming Breathe course on airway, sleep, breathing, health, growth & development in July! Register now www.breathecourses.com

11/28/2024

Feeling grateful for the children and adults we serve. May the holiday bring you peace, love, gratitude and lots of pumpkin pie!!

11/16/2024

What is Orofacial Myology? This!

It is a modality that focuses on the evaluation and treatment of the muscles in the face and mouth, including the lips, cheeks, tongue, and jaw. The word "orofacial" refers to the mouth and face region, while "myology" is the study of muscles and how they function.

Orofacial myofunctional therapy can help treat a variety of conditions, including: mouth breathing, tongue thrust, tight or restricted tongue and lip ties, improper chewing and swallowing patterns, and lip incompetence.

Orofacial myology treatments can help improve balance and symmetry, and create healthy oral habits that can lead to better posture. Treatments often use a combination of behavior modification techniques and neuroplasticity methods to address the root causes of these disorders.

Send a message to learn more

11/14/2024

Did you know there is a correlation between children with bedwetting and sleep disordered breathing?

One of my missions as a myofunctional therapist is to raise awareness amongst the public and healthcare providers on the connection. Four years ago I presented on the topic at the Breathe Outlook event sponsored by The Breathe Institute.

Many parents of children that wet the bed are unaware of the correlation and have repeatedly been told by their kid’s doctor that they will outgrow the problem. While the underlying cause of bedwetting can be multi factorial, children with bedwetting need to be thoroughly assessed for airway concerns and sleep disorders breathing.

11/06/2024

A multidisciplinary approach is a comprehensive approach to treating sleep and airway issues in children and adults. I’m proud to be a part of the multidisciplinary solution.

A multidisciplinary approach to care ensures every aspect of airway health is addressed comprehensively. Collaboration between experts leads to healthier, happier patients!

10/16/2024

A tongue tie, or ankyloglossia, can significantly impact sleep quality due to its effect on oral function and airway health. Here’s how:

1. Restricted Tongue Mobility: A tongue tie limits the tongue’s ability to rest properly against the palate. This can lead to poor oral posture, mouth breathing, and reduced nasal breathing, which is essential for healthy, restorative sleep.

2. Obstructed Airway: When the tongue isn’t able to lift and position correctly, it may fall back during sleep, especially when lying down, partially blocking the airway and contributing to snoring or even sleep apnea. This leads to disrupted sleep cycles and poor oxygenation.

3. Mouth Breathing: Tongue ties often result in mouth breathing, which can dry out the mouth and throat, cause fragmented sleep, and increase the risk of respiratory problems. Nasal breathing, on the other hand, helps promote deep, restful sleep and supports overall respiratory health.

Addressing a tongue tie with Myofunctional Therapy and release can improve tongue function, promote better nasal breathing, and, in turn, improve sleep quality.

10/03/2024

This is an amazing depiction of how tongue function and posture impact structure in growing children. Tongue up, lip seal, and nasal breathing.

09/08/2024

An amazing weekend of collaboration and learning from the best at Inspire 2024!

I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Richard Baxter, author of Tongue-Tied, researcher and leader in the field.

07/20/2024

Proper oral rest posture matters!

Breathe Well - Sleep Well -Be Well

Proper tongue posture involves resting the tongue up ⬆️ against the palate.

1. The tip should rest just behind the front teeth, but not touching them.

2. The middle and posterior sections should be in contact with the roof of the mouth.

3. The teeth should be slightly apart, and the lips should be closed.

Maintaining this posture can help with proper nasal breathing, optimal dental and facial development.

Where does your tongue rest when you are not speaking or eating?? 👅👅

Learn more at www.thebreatheinstitute.com

06/20/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/fd5PxfTxc43uHoNH/?mibextid=WC7FNe

We have to recognize that tongue-tie is only one aspect of the problem.

We need to be looking at
👅tongue posture
😄chewing
😋swallowing
🥤diet
🥦nutrition
😮mouth breathing
👍habits
👉genetic factors and more

The goal is to understand that tongue-tie is a piece of the puzzle and different elements need to be considered to help patients in each and every stage!

tonguetone

03/03/2024

Breathe well - Sleep well 😴 - Be well

Thank you Lake Washington Dental Hygiene Component for the opportunity to participate in your event today. I love sharing the field of orofacial myofunctional therapy with fellow dental hygienists.

Beyond the health of the teeth 🦷 and gums, dental professionals have a unique opportunity and a responsibility to screen their patients for potential airway and sleep breathing issues, such sleep apnea, snoring, and upper airway resistance.
The FAirEST ( Functional AIRway Evaluation Screening Tool) is a simple yet powerful tool for dental providers to do just that!

Is your dental provider looking beyond your teeth and gums? Your oral, airway, and sleep health matter 😴