Breathing
It has not been clearly established what causes every orofacial myofunctional disorder, but certain factors are well known. These include the following:
Airway issues that interfere with the ability to breathe easily and consistently through the nose.
WHY IS NASAL BREATHING BETTER?
Nasal breathing allows for warm, moist, purified air to the lungs
The nose contains Nitric Oxide which kills deadly bacteria
Oxygen is absorbed more efficiently when you breathe through your nose
Nasal breathing reduces Hypertension and Stress
Each nasal breath lowers blood pressure
Nasal breathing leads to a better performance during exercise
Nasal breathing leads to 10-20 percent more oxygen uptake (aka OVER BREATHING)
Mouth breathing may cause and exacerbate Asthma, High Blood Pressure, Heart Disease and other medical problems.
Mouth breathing has been linked to ADHD and learning difficulties
Mouth breathing causes improper growth of the face
Mouth breathing can contribute to dental decay and periodontal disease
Sleep
SLEEP FACTS:
Snoring is NEVER normal. Snoring itself has been linked to an increased risk for cardiovascular disease. Some studies show that snoring is 90% predictive of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) but you don’t have to snore to have OSA.
Mayo Clinic research recently showed that 91% of 942 patients who failed drug therapy for insomnia were found to have OSA
Untreated OSA is linked to development of cancer, heart attack, stroke, diabetes, depression, obesity,
Children can have sleep disorders, too! Sleep Disordered Breathing is a common childhood condition, and can even begin in infancy. If left untreated, it can result in severe complications including:
Delayed development
Impaired intelligence
Dysfunction of the nervous system
Memory loss and depression
Weight gain and obesity
Sleep apnea can also result in behavioral issues related to:
Decreased performance/learning problems in school
Hyperactivity
Aggressiveness
Social isolation, withdrawal