It’s all about being MyoFit
Sleep. Breathe. Live.
Since graduating from Pacific University Dental Hygiene School in 2009, I have spent the last 15 years loving my career and helping my patients improve their overall health through their oral health. But it was when my oldest was born in 2014 and could not breastfeed, suffered from acid reflux, and could not, and would not, sleep through the night, that I discovered she had a lip tie and a tongue-tie. I also discovered that there were not many medical professionals who knew about this or how to treat it. This is not something that is taught in medical, dental, or dental hygiene schools. These are additional courses taken outside of school. It was through this experience that the I entered the orofacial myofunctional world and discovered how many people are suffering needlessly.
It has been, and continues to be, educational and surprising to learn how many of my own patients (and family members and friends, including myself) have orofacial myofunctional disorders and issues that affect sleep, breathing, and the quality of our everyday lives. The more I learn about the astonishing benefits of this field, the more passionate I become about wanting to help improve people's overall quality of life.
I received my Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy certificate in early 2020 before the pandemic through Sarah Hornby’s MyoMentor Institute. I look forward to continuing to expand my knowledge as I take more courses and eventually, I hope to get certified through the International Association of Orofacial Myology. But one step and one breath at a time!
It is never too early or too late to get MyoFit and begin therapy, which can lead to a healthier and happier life! We just need to breathe, sleep, and live.
Addie's expander before and during expansion of her palate.
Addie's Myofunctional Story: 7 years to sleep
through the night!
This is my 11-year-old daughter Adelina (pictured at age 8). If you look closely you can see a bar between Addie's 2 missing front teeth. This is her palatal expander. She started expansion when she was 7. Knowing what I know now, I wish I had started it sooner. (My 9-year-old son Alder has gone through expansion as well - you can see his expander in the picture of him below.)
Addie's palate was narrow and she was not growing forward, but her lower jaw was growing vertically. Her upper jaw did not have enough room for her permanent teeth. I sought out an orthodontist who was knowledgeable in the airway and myofunctional therapy (which was difficult to find) and we started treatment on Addie and Alder.
About a month into treatment, Addie started sleeping through the night (she had maybe slept through the night four times since she was born). Her hyperactive behavior and acting out at school has improved significantly. She is less tired during the day (you can still see bags under her eyes, but this was not too far into her treatment and it will continue to improve) and can concentrate more easily at school and at home.
We are currently in myofunctional therapy with a therapist (not with myself as my children do not listen to me - lol!) and will be working on the four myofunctional therapy goals.
Addie's journey is not complete, it is just beginning, but I am confident that the path we are taking now is setting her up for a happy, healthy future in which she can breathe, sleep and live a quality life!
Alder's Myofunctional Story: Mouth breathing and 11 cavities!
Alder, my vibrant 9-year old (pictured at age 5), had a severe lip and tongue tie when he was born. Knowing his sister was tied, I already had an appointment scheduled with the ENT to have his ties released before he was born. Even after a tongue-tie release at 4-weeks-old, Alder is still tongue tied (although not as severe as when he was born) and he has low tongue posture. Unfortunately, as it is with many kids whose ties are released as infants, he has many Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders today.
At 3 years old I was very worried because I could see several cavities starting. As a hygienist, I brushed and flossed my children's mouths multiple times a day and they did not have candy or sugary drinks. I could not figure out why then he had so many cavities starting. Either could his dentist. Eventually we had to put him under general anesthesia to treat the eleven cavities that had formed and put two stainless steel crowns on his teeth. I was devastated! What hygienist has a son with eleven cavities?! It was a bit later with more myofunctional therapy courses that I connected the dots. Alder is quite the mouth breather at night. Of course! Mouth breathing is one thing that can lead to cavities. And his tongue tie prohibits his tongue from moving about his mouth as much as a more functional tongue.
With an expander, myofunctional therapy along with Addie, and another tongue-tie release in the future, we will correct his tongue posture and mouth breathing. We hope he will also start sleeping through the night in the near future as well. But for now, Alder is very good at reminding me to put on his "sleepy tape" or his Myotape at night before bed to help keep his mouth closed.
Like Addie, Alder's journey is far from over, but I am going to do what I can to help my child grow into a healthy adult who can breathe, sleep, and live a happy, healthy, quality life!
Page updated
Report abuse