Sleep Apnea & Snoring

Sleep Apnea and Snoring: Dr Heinrich and staff believe in comprehensive treatment when treating sleep apnea with an oral appliance. Myofunctional therapy is essential for those who are diagnosed with primary snoring or sleep apnea or at risk for sleep apnea. Any chronic nasal congestion and mouth breathing can negatively affect sleep apnea and frequency of snoring. Myofunctional therapy is beneficial for decreasing the severity and risk of sleep apnea, snoring and other symptoms of sleep disordered breathing. Additionally, therapy assists in the successful treatment with CPAP and oral appliance. Therapy teaches nasal breathing, proper tongue position and it remodels the muscles of the airway and neck to decrease obstruction.

Children can also suffer from sleep apnea. We assess every child for snoring and sleep apnea. This condition can be very dangerous for children to acquire. It can impact not only a child’s health and development but also their behavior and academic performance. Most of the time, enlarged tonsils and/or adenoids are closing the airway during sleep. Therefore, we work carefully with the ENT’s and pediatric sleep physicians to ensure effective treatment. Myofunctional therapy is utilized before and after treatment with the guidance of a specialist.

Oral Breathing Habits: Nasal breathing is the preferred method of breathing. Mouth breathing has many adverse oral and health consequences in children and adults. Most importantly, it can negatively impact the cranio-facial growth of children. We attend to any possible nasal obstruction, teach proper breathing and swallowing techniques, tongue position and correct muscle imbalances.

Side effects of mouth breathing include: low oxygen concentration, gingivitis and dental decay, stomach upset, TMJ/TMD, crowding of teeth, poor sleep, enlarged tonsils/increased congestion, and can attribute to poor posture and childhood facial development.

Orthodontics

Improper oral muscle tone or strength and poor tongue position can be a challenge for orthodontists to correctly align the teeth. A tongue thrust is where the tongue relaxes on the front teeth and comes forward during speech and swallowing. This can cause teeth crowding, too many spaces, occlusion issues and effect long term stability of the dentition. Tongue thrusting and mouth breathing may be caused by such things as: thumb or finger sucking, tongue ties, nasal obstruction or muscle habits not outgrown in early childhood. Without treatment, tongue thrusts can influence improper facial and dental growth, orthodontic stability and cause lifelong health problems.

Thumb & Finger Sucking

Thumb and finger (and pacifier) sucking is normal and comforting for many infants and small children. Most kids will stop on their own between 2-4 years old. The longer the habit continues, the harder it is to break. If not treated, development of a tongue thrust and a reverse swallow pattern occurs and oral muscle function may be impacted. Prolonged oral habits also impact the shape of the mouth and the way the teeth come together (dental occlusion) permanently. Orthodontics may not be successful or treatment may take longer to correct the bite, therefore early intervention is critical. Myofunctional therapy is hugely successful with positive reinforcement techniques. Our office is one of the only dental practices in Spokane that has a comprehensive oral habit cessation program. We make it fun and children gain a sense of accomplishment.

Orthodontics

Improper oral muscle tone or strength and poor tongue position can be a challenge for orthodontists to correctly align the teeth. A tongue thrust is where the tongue relaxes on the front teeth and comes forward during speech and swallowing. This can cause teeth crowding, too many spaces, occlusion issues and effect long term stability of the dentition. Tongue thrusting and mouth breathing may be caused by such things as: thumb or finger sucking, tongue ties, nasal obstruction or muscle habits not outgrown in early childhood. Without treatment, tongue thrusts can influence improper facial and dental growth, orthodontic stability and cause lifelong health problems.

Thumb & Finger Sucking

Thumb and finger (and pacifier) sucking is normal and comforting for many infants and small children. Most kids will stop on their own between 2-4 years old. The longer the habit continues, the harder it is to break. If not treated, development of a tongue thrust and a reverse swallow pattern occurs and oral muscle function may be impacted. Prolonged oral habits also impact the shape of the mouth and the way the teeth come together (dental occlusion) permanently. Orthodontics may not be successful or treatment may take longer to correct the bite, therefore early intervention is critical. Myofunctional therapy is hugely successful with positive reinforcement techniques. Our office is one of the only dental practices in Spokane that has a comprehensive oral habit cessation program. We make it fun and children gain a sense of accomplishment.

When to begin Therapy?

Early intervention is the key to addressing any Orofacial Myofunctional Disorder (OMD). At this time, we have the advantage of influencing and guiding proper growth and development of the face and teeth position as well as avoiding negative life-long health issues. Around 4 years old, we can address any damaging oral habits (such as thumb sucking), breathing and snoring issues. We work alongside of orthodontists to help align the teeth during or before treatment and prevent post-orthodontic crowding. Many speech pathologists work with Myofunctional therapists to develop muscle function prior to speech therapy for better results.

Therapy is very beneficial for adults too! Therapy optimizes breathing, is a co-treatment of sleep apnea, snoring, orthodontics and helps alleviate TMJ pain.