PATIENT EDUCATION: FOR PARENTS

As parents, we pay close attention to our children’s development—how they eat, sleep, and breathe. But did you know that airway health and orofacial function play a crucial role in their overall well-being? Poor airway function can lead to sleep disturbances, speech difficulties, and even long-term developmental issues.

This guide will help you assess your child’s airway and orofacial myofunctional health with a simple checklist and provide guidance on when to seek professional help.

A well-functioning airway ensures that your child gets adequate oxygen, promoting proper growth, brain development, and quality sleep. When airway issues go unaddressed, they can contribute to:

• Sleep-disordered breathing (snoring, mouth breathing, or sleep apnea)
• Speech difficulties
• Dental and facial development concerns
• Feeding and swallowing challenges
• Behavioral and attention issues

Use this checklist to identify early signs of dysfunction:

✅ Breathes through the nose, mouth closed at rest
🚩 Frequently breathes through the mouth, even at rest
🚩 Snores or breathes loudly during sleep
🚩 Wakes up frequently or appears restless while sleeping
🚩 Daytime sleepiness or hyperactivity

✅ Lips are sealed at rest
🚩 Lips remain open when not speaking or eating
🚩 Frequently licks lips or has chapped lips
🚩 Jaw appears recessed or the face looks elongated

✅ Tongue rests at the roof of the mouth
🚩 Tongue sits low in the mouth or pushes against teeth
🚩 Frequent drooling past toddler age
🚩 Difficulty swallowing food properly

✅ Clear speech sounds and articulation
🚩 Trouble pronouncing certain sounds (e.g., "s," "sh," "th")
🚩 Speech sounds muffled or nasal
🚩 Delay in speech development

✅ Able to chew food properly and eat a variety of textures
🚩 Picky eating due to texture sensitivity
🚩 Takes excessive time to chew and swallow
🚩 Gags or chokes often while eating

If you’ve checked multiple 🚩 red flags, consider consulting a professional for further evaluation. The following specialists can help:

Orofacial Myofunctional Therapist (OMT) – Specializes in correcting neuromuscular related tongue posture, breathing, and swallowing dysfunction.
Pediatric Dentist or Orthodontist – Assesses dental growth and jaw development.
Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) Specialist – Checks for nasal obstruction, enlarged tonsils, or airway issues.
Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) – Helps with speech clarity and swallowing difficulties.
Pulmonologist – Diagnoses sleep-related breathing disorders.

• Encourage nasal breathing by reminding your child to close their mouth.
• Make mealtime engaging with foods that promote chewing strength (e.g., crunchy vegetables, nuts, lean meats).
• Reduce screen time and encourage proper posture to support airway development.
• Avoid prolonged pacifier or thumb-sucking habits.
• Promote good sleep hygiene—a dark, quiet, and cool sleeping environment.

A healthy airway and proper orofacial function are essential for growth, development, and long-term health. By identifying early signs and seeking appropriate care, you can help your child breathe, sleep, and thrive! 

Review any findings with your child's pediatrician!  

The content provided on myophysx.com is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.