Quality sleep is essential for physical health, cognitive performance, emotional well-being, and overall quality of life. While lifestyle factors such as excessive screen time, poor sleep hygiene, and stress can impact sleep, many cases of disrupted or poor-quality sleep are caused by underlying physical conditions—particularly those affecting the airway.

One of the most common yet underrecognized contributors is sleep-disordered breathing—a spectrum of airway-related conditions ranging from occasional snoring to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Snoring occurs when airflow is partially obstructed during sleep, causing tissues in the throat and upper airway to vibrate. This creates the characteristic sound, which can vary in loudness and frequency. Narrowed airways—whether from anatomical features, inflammation, or sleeping position—are often the cause.

While mild or occasional snoring may not seem concerning, chronic snoring is a red flag in both children and adults. In children, even light or intermittent snoring can be a sign of airway dysfunction that warrants evaluation.

Common causes of snoring include:

• Enlarged Tonsils and Adenoids – A leading cause of snoring in children and a major risk factor for OSA. Enlarged tissues narrow the airway and make nasal breathing more difficult.
   
• Respiratory Infections or Allergies – Inflammation or congestion forces mouth breathing, increasing snoring risk.
   
• Deviated Septum – Structural narrowing of the nasal passages that limits airflow.

• Oral Restrictions (tongue ties) - Tongue Ties cause restricted lingual mobility, decreased lingual range of motion and decreased lingual strength - not allowing the tongue to obtain or maintain proper posture against the palate, allowing the tongue to fall back into the throat causing airway obstruction.
   
• Obstructive Sleep Apnea – In both children and adults, OSA involves repeated episodes of airway collapse during sleep, reducing oxygen levels and causing frequent arousals.
   

OSA is a serious condition in which the airway collapses or becomes blocked during sleep, interrupting breathing and fragmenting the sleep cycle. These interruptions can trigger stress hormone release, reduce deep restorative sleep, and cause long-term health effects.

In children, untreated OSA has been linked to:

• Attention and behavioral issues (including ADD/ADHD)
   
• Learning difficulties and reduced IQ
   
• Developmental delays
   
• Stunted physical growth
   

In adults, OSA increases the risk for:

• High blood pressure and heart disease
   
• Stroke
   
• Insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes
   
• Cognitive decline and memory issues
   

Airway-related sleep disturbances often present as functional, behavioral, or seemingly unrelated symptoms—especially in children.

In children, signs may include:

• Bedwetting (enuresis) beyond the typical age
   
• Restless or active sleep with frequent position changes
   
• Waking in unusual positions (e.g., hyperextended neck, head hanging off the bed)
   
• Night sweats
   
• Mouth breathing during sleep
   
• Sleepwalking or sleep talking
   
• Teeth grinding (bruxism)
   
• Morning irritability or grogginess
   

In adults, symptoms may include:

• Frequent awakenings without clear cause
   
• Morning headaches
   
• Sleep talking or movement during sleep
   
• Persistent fatigue despite adequate hours of rest
   
• Night sweats
   
• Restless sleep patterns
   

A tongue tie (ankyloglossia) is a restrictive band of tissue under the tongue that limits its mobility. While it is often discussed in the context of infant feeding, tongue ties can have significant lifelong implications for airway health and sleep quality if not addressed.

Audible breathing in your infant or child is NEVER normal, and is ALWAYS a sign of airway concerns. You should never be able to hear your infant or child breathing (unless they are sick).

In newborns, a tongue tie can:

• Make breastfeeding inefficient or exhausting for the baby
   
• Encourage compensatory mouth breathing rather than nasal breathing
   
• Prevent proper oral rest posture (tongue resting up against the palate)
   
• Lead to early orofacial muscle dysfunction that can influence airway development
   

These early patterns can set the stage for future sleep-disordered breathing, narrow palates, and altered facial growth.

In older children, untreated tongue ties may:

• Contribute to chronic mouth breathing
   
• Limit the tongue’s ability to rest in the correct position, affecting jaw and palate development
   
• Increase the risk of a narrow airway and obstructive sleep apnea
   
• Be associated with speech challenges and swallowing dysfunction
   
• Lead to persistent restless sleep, snoring, and other symptoms of airway instability
   

In adults, a restrictive tongue may:

• Prevent the tongue from maintaining a forward, elevated position during sleep, allowing it to fall backward and obstruct the airway
   
• Contribute to snoring and OSA
   
• Impact swallowing efficiency and oral function
   
• Be linked to chronic jaw tension, TMJ discomfort, and poor sleep quality
   

Key Point: Tongue mobility is essential for proper oral posture, nasal breathing, and airway stability. Whether in infants, children, or adults, an untreated tongue tie can be a contributing factor in the development and persistence of sleep-disordered breathing.

Chronic mouth breathing—whether caused by congestion, allergies, or oral restrictions such as tongue tie—can alter craniofacial growth in children, leading to:

• Narrow palates
   
• Retruded jaws
   
• Long, narrow facial structures
   
• Reduced forward facial growth
   

Early intervention can guide proper growth, improve airway size, and reduce the risk of lifelong breathing disorders.

Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT) is a structured exercise program that retrains and strengthens the muscles of the tongue, lips, cheeks, and face. By correcting muscle function, OMT helps maintain an open airway, supports nasal breathing, and improves oral rest posture.

• Increases tongue strength and mobility
   
• Promotes nasal breathing and airway stability
   
• Reduces snoring
   
• Improves oxygenation during sleep
   
• Complements orthodontic, dental, and surgical treatments
   

Research Spotlight:

A 2015 systematic review and meta-analysis found that myofunctional therapy reduced the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) by 50% in adults and 62% in children, with measurable improvements in snoring, oxygen levels, and daytime alertness.

Children: Facial bones and airway structures are still growing, making early treatment of mouth breathing, tongue ties, and other airway issues highly effective in preventing long-term dysfunction.

Adults: It’s never too late to address airway and breathing patterns. Many adult patients experience significant improvements in sleep quality, breathing, and daytime function with myofunctional therapy.

Sleep-disordered breathing is more than a nighttime inconvenience—it’s a serious health concern that affects the brain, heart, metabolism, and overall quality of life. Snoring, mouth breathing, restless sleep, and related functional symptoms should never be ignored.

By identifying and addressing the underlying causes—such as airway obstruction, oral restrictions like tongue tie, and orofacial muscle dysfunction—myofunctional therapy offers a safe, effective, and lasting solution for both children and adults.

Please contact me for more info or to schedule a consultation