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Can My Child Be a Candidate for Spot Pal and also Myofunctional Therapy?
Yes, your child may be a candidate for both Spot Pal and Myofunctional therapy depending on their background history and current symptoms, such as having a resting open mouth posture. It is never too late to start Myofunctional therapy and …
Why am I experiencing sleep disturbance?
If you or your child are experiencing symptoms related to a sleep disturbance then this is the place for you. Sleep disturbance is categorized as restless sleeping such as tossing and turning at night, snoring, poor sleep quality, teeth grinding, …
Tongue Position and its Impact on Feeding
Have you observed any difficulties during mealtime? Key components of aversions to certain foods/textures typically stem from sensory components or inability to tolerate that type of food within the oral cavity. This difficulty or inability results from either the consistency …
Sleep Studies
Why might your provider recommend a sleep study? A sleep study is conducted to monitor specific areas of your body during your rest. These can include your heart rate, breathing pattern, oxygen saturation, movement, and more. They can be conducted …
Orthodontic Intervention
Why may we need an orthodontic consult and what may it entail? Typically, we associate going to the orthodontist when nearly all of a child’s adult teeth are in with the goal of straightening those adult teeth. However, consultations with …
Possible Myofunctional Team Members
Who may be a part of your myofunctional care team? We have discussed what myofunctional therapy is and you may be wondering, who can I see? Possible providers can include: dentists, orthodontists, oral surgeons, release providers, myofunctional therapists, speech language …
Prolonged Sippy-Cup Use
What are the effects of prolonged sippy-cup use? A sippy-cup is a closed lid cup with a small, hard spout for the child to drink out of. It is typically introduced around 6 months, or around when solids are beginning …
Teeth Grinding: Understanding, Prevention, and Treatment for Patients and Parents
Teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, is a common condition that can affect people of all ages, including children. This involuntary habit of grinding or clenching teeth, often during sleep, can lead to dental issues, jaw discomfort, and more. While …
What is a Lisp?
Lisping is a common speech concern that can affect both children and adults. It's characterized by difficulty in accurately producing sounds, especially the /s/ and /z/ sounds. While lisping is a typical developmental stage in young children, it can sometimes …
Unlocking Your Athletic Potential: Discover the Power of Spot Pal Appliance
When it comes to excelling in sports, every advantage matters. One often underestimated factor that can profoundly influence an athlete's performance is the positioning of the tongue. The tongue's placement against the roof of the mouth holds the key to …
Tongue positioning and sleep quality
Did you know that the way you position your tongue can have an impact on the quality of your sleep? Tongue posture plays a crucial role in maintaining proper airway alignment during sleep. Adequate tongue posture affects breathing patterns and …
How can Myofunctional therapy in conjunction with Spot Pal help enhance facial attractiveness?
Myofunctional therapy focuses on optimizing the function of the muscles in the face, mouth, and throat, which can have a direct impact on facial appearance. Proper resting tongue posture against the roof of the mouth, for example, exerts gentle pressure …
What are the effects of prolonged thumb-sucking?
Thumb sucking is a common habit amongst infants and young children, but do we know the lasting effects on tongue posture and overall health? According to the Mayo Clinic, infants typically suck their thumbs until approximately 6 to 7 months …
What is Myofunctional Therapy?
Myofunctional therapy is a type of therapy that focuses on improving the function of the muscles used in speech, swallowing, and breathing. This therapy involves a series of exercises and techniques designed to correct improper tongue placement and oral muscle …
Why tongue resting posture is important?
The tongue is a powerful muscle that plays an important role in various functions such as speaking, swallowing, and even breathing. However, many people may not be aware that the position of the tongue inside the mouth can have a …
What are tongue exercises and why are they important?
Our tongue is a powerful muscle that plays a crucial role in many essential functions, including speaking, swallowing, and even breathing. Just like other muscles in our body, our tongue muscles can become weak or uncoordinated, leading to speech difficulties, …
What is a tongue thrust?
A tongue thrust, also known as an orofacial myofunctional disorder (OMD), is a condition where the tongue protrudes or pushes against the front teeth when swallowing, speaking, or at rest. This can cause dental and speech problems, and can also …
Why is mouth breathing bad for you?
Mouth breathing can have negative effects on our health and wellbeing for several reasons: Dry Mouth: Breathing through the mouth can cause dryness of the mouth and throat, which can lead to a sore throat, bad breath, and other oral …
Mastering Speech Articulation: The Role of the Spot Pal Appliance
Mastering Speech Articulation: The Role of the Spot Pal Appliance One of the various functions the Spot Pal appliance is designed for is to help guide the tongue tip to rest precisely at the alveolar ridge, located right behind the …
Myofunctional Therapy for Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD)
Myofunctional Therapy for Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) can significantly impact one's quality of life, causing pain, discomfort, and difficulty in everyday activities like speaking and eating. While there are various approaches to managing TMD, one approach gaining attention …