Whole-Body Wellness

The Tongue

Did you know that the tongue is your second muscle to develop in the embryo, right after the heart? Even before the brain? That’s how important the tongue’s function is within our connections. And it is also connected by fascia down to your toes! Another deep (pun intended) and unknown connection!

So, here we will visit a few unknown and helpful tidbits to help you along your journey to wellness.

1- The tongue has its own disorders, restrictions and therefore, therapy as well as exercise protocols.

2- In the video provided, Dr. Zaghi, a Harvard and Stanford trained MD and ENT , will explain that though maxillary expansion IS the best way to make room for the tongue as well as opening up the airway, by bringing down the floor of the nose, you still need to be able to bring the tongue to the roof of your mouth for proper function and health.

3- We will present some companies that we work with that provide appliances aiding tongue therapy, thus allowing proper orthopedic development resulting in teeth alignment.

Myofunctional Therapy

MYOFUNCTIONAL APPLIANCE OPTIONS

“Myofunctional therapy is a program of specific exercises that target the facial muscles used to chew and swallow. These exercises strengthen the tongue. The oropharynx is the part of the body that includes the mouth and throat. In simple terms, it is a tube lined with muscular tissues.” So you see, we can help develop proper airways , especially promoting NASAL breathing, with proper positioning of the tongue and oral development. This can be done with exercises , training with and without the aid of different appliances. Here are a few of the ones we sometimes use:

1- MYOMUNCHEE
These little appliances are geared to the neuro-muscular and oral arch development of children.

2- THE MYOBRACE SYSTEM: Is preventive pre-orthodontic treatment that focuses on addressing the underlying causes of crooked teeth, often without the need for braces or extraction of teeth, unlocking natural growth and development. Treatment is best suited to children aged 3 to 15 and involves using a series of removable intra-oral appliances that are worn for 1-2 hours each day plus overnight while sleeping.

What Myobrace® treatment does:

  • Corrects poor oral habits
  • Develops & aligns the jaws
  • Straightens the teeth
  • Optimizes facial development
  • Improves overall health
  • Promotes healthy eating habits

How does it do this? By helping the child:

  • Breathe through the nose
  • Correct tongue resting position
  • Swallow correctly
  • Keep the lips together

How It Works

Waiting until all permanent teeth have come through to begin treatment with braces can unfortunately lead to irreversible damage affecting not only the teeth, but also the child’s overall health and development.

Poor myofunctional habits (poor oral habits) are evident before all permanent teeth are present, which means treatment of the causes can begin much earlier than originally thought. This can be as early as three years of age.

The Treatment Stages

Myobrace® treatment starts with the habit correction and works through a combination of three or more appliances to correct the causes of orthodontic problems and align the teeth as they grow into the mouth. Treatment can begin as soon as the poor myofunctional habits are recognized however, older children have had more time for the incorrect habits and wrong growth patterns to establish, which can require extra effort for a successful treatment outcome. With good compliance, excellent results can be achieved.

There are typically four stages of treatment with Myobrace® involving: habit correction, arch development, dental alignment and then retention.

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What Our Patients Are Saying

Real stories from patients who discovered how life-changing Health Connections Dentistry holistic dentistry can be.

Nerissa Johnson

Dr. Stagg and her fantastic staff have been wonderfully instrumental in the success of our daughter's airway and orthodontic correction. We would highly recommend her to everyone!

Tami Smith

Dr Stagg and her team are amazing. Always happy and kind... always pay attention to detail and go above and beyond for their patients. Dr. Stagg's knowledge is very impressive and you know you are in good hands.

Laura Aho Parsons

I came to get help from Dr. Stagg as an emergency case, referred by my Dentist. Dr. Stagg and her team did extensive testing to get to the cause of my pains, which turned out to be TMJ Disorder. But she also discovered I had Sinus issues and referred me to an ENT specialist, for an emergency appointment. She and Dr. Malis were able to discuss my case prior to my appointment so we were primed for what needed to happen first and soon--sinus surgery! Later she referred me to a Cranio-Sacral specialist to help with musculature and skeletal issues. Dr Stagg has amazing intuition, is an artist sculpting each apparatus, a natural healer, uses all the latest technologies and has a staff as professional, yet compassionate, as she is to handle every step of the individualized protocols needed for each unique patient. She is a rare Find indeed.

Cecile Blunt

Who knew that my jaw and sleeping problems could be addressed by the expansion of this 83 year old mouth? Well, Dr Stagg knew!! The ALF and lower orthotic are improving my situation almost daily for 7 months now. She and her staff are wonderful!!!

Alexandra Poolt

I had a very pleasant experience with Dr. Stagg and her excellent team all the way through the assessment process and into the treatment. I finally have a better understanding of my teeth, the mouth & the tongue and how all interconnects to show a picture of my overall health. If you have been searching for answers beyond standard dental care, give her a try!!!

Lisa B

Before my treatment I found myself to have severe fatigue, no motivation to do anything, and procrastination on the smallest things. The first day I wore my orthotic, my pain in my neck and upper back diminished. I find myself awakening in the morning feeling like I got a good night sleep and I am able to fall asleep with no problem. My fatigue has lessened tremendously. I have and would recommend this treatment to friends. My life has become more enjoyable being pain free.

Cristiano V

Before seeing Dr. Stagg, I struggled for years with constant fatigue, poor sleep, and jaw tension I didn’t understand. She discovered that my airway issues, sleep apnea, and TMJ were all connected — and that the root cause was in my mouth. Through her precise, gentle treatment, my breathing improved, my sleep became deep and restorative, and the daily pain I lived with disappeared. It completely changed my health, energy, and focus. I can’t thank you enough!.

Dr. Charles D. Dusch, Jr.

Outstanding customer care! Dr. Stagg kindly worked me into her busy schedule to correct an unexpected issue and gave me her full attention. Her amazing staff are also so friendly, caring, and competent. I strongly recommend this practice!

Dr. Larisa Scott

Amazing! Staff was very welcoming. Dr. Stagg knows her stuff. She looks at you from a while body perspective. Honestly it is such a privilege to have an amazing dentist in the area.