Snore like a Bear?

Do you SNORE like a BEAR? Perhaps you have seen this statement floating around lately, but have you taken THREE minutes to understand WHY this is a problem?

First and foremost, it is important to note the ideal position for Oral Rest. Oral Resting Position (ORP) is the natural placement of your lips, tongue, and jaw during any time that you are not speaking, or eating (or while they are “at rest.”) Check in with what you are doing right now! For the rest of this article (and maybe even today) try these quick tips:

Lips Closed. Tongue Up. Teeth Apart. Happy Eyes (“Smeyes” – as the America’s Next Top Model used to preach in the late 90’s!)

Nasal breathing has many benefits, and mouth breathing has many consequences. Check out the articles that are hyperlinked above for more information and comment below if you have any questions!

Snoring has many different causes, but in all situations, it is a greater risk than most of us realize! Lets look at the dangers of snoring, and this ONE SIMPLE strategy that will filter your inhaled air, humidify your nasal passages for optimal sinus function, and produce Nitric Oxide (NO is a vasodilator, and may aid in widening blood vessels; improving oxygen absorption and slowing breathing; allowing for more time to fully exchange carbon dioxide for oxygen in the bloodstream!)

Check out this video that beautifully displays what is truly happening when you snore (or hear someone snoring). The truth is, that snoring puts you at risk for suffocation. Furthermore, those who snore are often culprits of other examples or less-than-desirable oral habits: mouth breathing, open-mouth chewing, and may even develop misalignment in their dentition due to their ORP. With early intervention and a societal shift in awareness, we can help to optimize dentition, purify air quality, improve circulation, and reduce the risks of suffocation during our much needed sleep!

Oral Rest that’s Best: Lips closed. Tongue Up. Teeth Apart. Happy Eyes.

Especially after the prolonged usage of face masks a few years ago, it is increasingly common to experience one of the following difficulties:

• Lips: If it feels too strenuous to keep your lips together
• Teeth: If you feel tension in your jaw or clicking when you chew
• Tongue: If you notice your tongue resting in between your upper/lower teeth, pressing downward or floating in the middle of your mouth without contact on your front teeth
• Cheeks: If you notice frequent biting or chewing of your cheeks (during speech or during meals/snacks)

Contact your local Speech Language Pathologist, or submit a Request for an Appointment at msmargaretstherapy.com. There are many strategies you can learn from an episode of therapy, including coordinated swallowing, tips for active generalization, and exercises for enhanced range of motion.

Optimal health can be achieved when whole body health is included in all healthcare routines! Lets work together to find a solution for you or your loved one, and transform the world, one Resting Nice Face (RNF) at a time!