Let's talk airway health, snoring, and myofunctional therapy.
Usability Study
Why Does Airway Health Matter?
Poor airway health and inadequate sleep are commonly overlooked and unrecognized as a contributor to many chronic health conditions.
1 billion people suffer from sleep related breathing disorders.
80% of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) cases are undiagnosed.
How Did We Get Here? Connecting the Dots
Compared to our ancestors, we eat a modern soft food diet - resulting in underused tongue and facial muscles, smaller under-developed jaws, and a weaker airway.
The tongue’s proper resting position is lightly suctioned to the roof of the mouth. A weak tongue rests lower in the mouth leading to mouth breathing and prevents proper growth and development of the jaw resulting in a smaller and more narrow airway. A smaller and narrow airway is a major contributing factor to sleep disordered breathing, snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.
Nasal breathing is critical to the immune defenses. It humifies and filters the air of toxins while creating anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal nitric oxide, a vital component to health.
The Importance of the Tongue
Modern lifestyles and soft food diets can result in smaller jaws and weaker muscles. A weak tongue often lacks the strength to stay in its proper position, lightly suctioned to the roof of the mouth while at rest.
When the tongue is strong and resting in its proper position it supports correct swallow function, nasal breathing and helps maintain an open airway.
Grab a glass of water and take sip... The swallow should start where the tongue lands when you say the letter "N", next the tongue should compress along the roof of the mouth from front to back propelling food and liquid down the throat. The cheeks and neck should remain soft.
How does this affect Breathing and Sleep?
Tongue: Tongue relaxes, falls back, and decreases airway size, resulting in a louder snore.
Mouth: Soft palate relaxes and vibrates from air flow.
Throat: Relaxation of the pharyngeal muscles causes the airway to decrease in size.
Nasal: Plugged nostrils, deviated septum, enlarged turbines, or allergies can reduce the airflow through the nose and result in a high-pitched snore.
Second-hand Snoring: When a person sleeps with a snoring bed partner, they often have disrupted sleep that can have a profound impact on
their overall health and mental well-being.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
*We strongly recommend anybody that has suspected obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) to consult with their physician on the best course of action. If you receive improvement in tiredness or any of the OSA indicators from device use, you may be at risk of having OSA.
What is Myofunctional Therapy?
Myofunctional Therapy is specialized exercise of the muscles of the upper airway, face, mouth, and tongue in order to promote proper function and coordination.
