ORAL FUNCTION
AirSync Optimizes Oral Function
Oral function affects how we eat, breathe, grow, and sleep. You’ve probably heard the saying, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” That is very true when it comes to oral function. Oral dysfunction often begins in the womb—sometimes as early as the 8th week of pregnancy—and is often compounded by prenatal stress, traumatic births, and early feeding challenges. These early influences shape nervous system development, oral posture, and cranial-facial growth, all of which directly impact breathing, sleep quality, and lifelong health.
At AirSync, we take a proactive, whole-body approach—because anatomy, neurology, and oral function are inseparably connected. We evaluate everything from cranial alignment and tongue posture to jaw growth, fascial tension, and tethered oral tissues (like tongue- and lip-ties). Our team emphasizes prevention, early identification, and early intervention, offering guidance for infants as early as their first week of life and support through the critical first three years of rapid growth. We also treat adults who have been living with oral dysfunction, and its side effects, for a lifetime.
Our Principles based on years of experience
Rather than focusing on anatomy alone, we integrate oral and neurological function, behavior, and oral development to create lasting jaw and orthodontic stability and optimal breathing and sleep. Our team evaluates every aspect, including cranial and upper neck alignment, oral posture, fascia, tongue-ties, palate size, and neurological function. With early identification, gentle therapies, and collaboration, we help infants and children build a foundation for lifelong wellness. For adults we relieve the discomforts they have lived with and restore better eating, breathing and sleep. Our thorough exam and evaluation will help find the problems, so we can create a comprehensive, long-term solution for infants, children and adults.
Assessments
- Comprehensive Oral Myofunctional Evaluation and Therapy.
- Reflex Testing.
- IOPI (Intra Oral Pressure Instrument) to objectively test lip and tongue strength.
Treatments
- Oral Myofunctional Therapy – akin to physical therapy for optimal oral function and oral rest posture and nasal breathing.
- BabyLase / OraLase a gentle non-invasive laser therapy that optimizes the function and tone of the oral and facial muscles and the function of the nervous system.
- Emface to restore function, strength, and tone, to the orofacial muscles (also improving appearance nonsurgically).
- Ongoing exams and treatments to prevent future problems and for best long-term outcomes.
- Surgical intervention and referrals to specialists as needed.
Outcomes
- By retraining the tongue, lips, and facial muscles to work the way nature intended there is improved breathing, sleep, and functioning, less pain and more calmness.
- Minimize mouth breathing and enhanced nasal breathing.
- Reduction in snoring or sleep- disordered breathing symptoms.
- Fewer headaches, jaw pain, and/or TMJ tension.
- Stability of the jaw with orthodontic and orthopedic treatments and surgery.
- Better digestion and fewer swallowing difficulties.
- More attractive, balanced appearance, including removing some signs of aging in adults.
- Reduction in overall pain and tension in the face, head, and jaw.
- More relaxed face and jaw.
Treatments and Tools we Use to Improve Oral Function
So much emphasis is placed on anatomy (jaw expansion, jaw surgery, airway orthodontics, tongue-tie surgery) but nothing exists in isolation. Oral function and neurological function are significantly critical for anatomical growth and skeletal / orthodontic stability. At AirSync, Dr. Kimberly Santiago and her team have the latest equipment offering the most gentle and effective treatments for the best possible long-term outcomes. For details on some of the treatments, just click the boxes above. We also have an excellent referral network when work outside of our practice scope is necessary.