What is myofunctional therapy, and how does it help patients in Turlock with obstructive sleep apnea?
Patients in Turlock, CA who have been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea by their primary doctor after a sleep study may be unhappy with the treatment options they have been given. Most doctors recommend using a CPAP machine. The CPAP machine has a mask that is worn over the mouth and nose while patients sleep to keep the airways open and avoid blockages. However, many patients do not comply with treatment. They are uncomfortable with wearing the CPAP mask at night and may stop using it altogether to address their condition. When this happens, patients are back at risk for a variety of medical problems. Thankfully, there are other options available to patients. Dr. Ramsin K. Davoud offers two methods of treatment including oral appliance therapy and myofunctional therapy.
What is oral appliance therapy?
Oral appliance therapy is the use of a specialized mouth guard that is worn at night to keep the tongue down or the jaw aligned to maintain open airways. This is made with medical-grade, high-quality plastics and is molded to the mouth due to the impressions taken prior to fabrication. Patients wear it to maintain open airways throughout the night and eliminate the problems associated with obstructive sleep apnea.
What is myofunctional therapy?
Myofunctional therapy is a series of exercises that patients can perform daily. These exercises are intended to improve the strength of the muscles within the mouth while helping reinforce the position of the tongue to reduce the chances of obstruction during the night while patients sleep. Not only has this therapy been used for conditions such as obstructive sleep apnea, but it can improve other issues including:
- Neck pain
- Nail biting
- Thumb sucking
- Chronic headaches
- Temporomandibular joint pain (TMD)
- GERD or heartburn
The dentist will work with patients, giving them a series of exercises that can be used to strengthen the muscles of the mouth, including the tongue, to achieve results while patients sleep each night.
What are the benefits of myofunctional therapy?
The primary advantages of myofunctional therapy is the ability to achieve results without having to wear anything. However, the results occur over time, not immediately, and patients may still want to consider using a CPAP machine or oral appliance until the muscles of the mouth have become stronger with treatment. Our dentist will be able to evaluate the severity of the condition and determine how long it may be before patients see effective results from their exercises to the point they can eliminate other treatment options from daily use.
What types of exercises may be used for myofunctional therapy?
Common exercises may include:
- Holding a spoon in the mouth for 10 seconds
- Clicking and rolling the tongue
- Pushing the tongue to the left and the right
- Attempt to touch the nose and chin with the tongue
- Push the tongue up against the hard palate of the mouth
When patients perform these exercises regularly throughout the day, they will be able to strengthen the mouth muscles and see an improvement in their quality of sleep. Patients will want to continue these exercises even when the condition improves.
RKD patients call us at (209) 690-8051 or
Schedule an Appointment
Which one is right for me?
The team at the practice of Dr. Ramsin K. Davoud work with patients to determine which treatment is appropriate for their specific needs. Some patients have a preference, while others want to know which one is more effective for their condition. Consulting with our staff is the way to learn about the advantages and disadvantages of each treatment and determining the method of therapy you desire.
Turlock, CA area patients can ask our team about the advantages of myofunctional therapy
Dr. Ramsin K. Davoud and his team of professionals are here to provide patients who have been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea a solution that does not always require the use of oral appliance therapy. If you want to discuss the benefits of myofunctional therapy and how it can improve your condition, call the team today to make an appointment at (209) 666-8867. Our staff is located at 1840 N. Olive Ave ste #2 and is always accepting new patients and families for comprehensive dental care.
