Sleep Disordered Breathing & Airway Development

Sleep disordered breathing refers to irregular breathing patterns that occur during sleep — from mouth breathing and snoring to pauses in breathing and shallow breaths. These patterns can affect airway development, facial growth, and overall health in both children and adults.

A woman with curly hair and earrings, wearing a yellow jacket, appears distressed and is covering her mouth with her hand, against a yellow background.
A young boy with light hair, wearing a short-sleeved striped shirt, stands outside with his eyes closed and thumb in his nose. The background is dark and blurred, with some brickwork visible on the right side.
A man with short, styled hair and a beard yawns while covering his mouth with his hand, wearing a white sweater against a plain white background.

Who This Can Affect

Sleep disordered breathing and airway dysfunction can be present in children, teens, and adults — particularly during critical growth periods (such as childhood and adolescence) or alongside orthodontic and airway concerns.

A baby wearing a black hat with white stars, yawning while lying on a dark surface.
A young girl with red hair lying on a light gray couch, holding a straw in her mouth, wearing an orange checkered dress with ruffled trim.
A young person with short dark hair is lying on a couch, wearing a white Coca-Cola t-shirt and patterned shorts. They appear to be resting or relaxing indoors, with a neutral expression on their face.
A woman lying on her side on a bed with white sheets, wearing a gray T-shirt, with long brown hair, and her hand and face resting on the bed.

What Sleep Disordered Breathing Is

Common Sleep Breathing Patterns

  • Mouth breathing: Breathing through the mouth instead of the nose

  • Snoring: Noisy breathing caused by airway vibration

  • Interrupted breathing: Pauses or shallow breathing during sleep

  • Restless sleep: Frequent awakenings or disrupted cycles

A young boy with dark hair sleeping peacefully, wrapped in a striped blanket.

Why Airway Development Matters

A young woman with long, wavy hair, closed eyes, and a peaceful expression, standing outdoors with a blurred background.

Healthy airway development supports:

  • Proper facial and jaw growth

  • Optimal nasal breathing

  • Balanced oral muscle function

  • Better sleep quality

  • Reduced risk of orthodontic relapse

When airway support is compromised, breathing patterns adapt — often leading to mouth breathing and sleep-related symptoms.

Symptoms to Watch For

Signs of Sleep Disordered Breathing

✔ Snoring
✔ Mouth breathing
✔ Restless sleep
✔ Daytime fatigue or irritability
✔ Behavioral or focus concerns
✔ Headaches or jaw tension

A man with dark hair and a beard, wearing a plaid shirt, is resting his head on his folded arms on a desk with a closed laptop. The background shows a brick wall, a bookshelf with folders and decorative items, and a work desk with a computer.

How Myofunctional Therapy Helps

Wooden Scrabble tiles spelling out 'GREET' on white background.

Orofacial myofunctional therapy focuses on:

  • Improving oral muscle strength and coordination

  • Encouraging nasal breathing patterns

  • Supporting proper tongue posture

  • Helping airway-supporting muscle patterns improve

  • Reinforcing healthy breathing through guided retraining

For children, therapy can support airway development during key growth stages. For adults, it helps correct long-standing muscle patterns that impact sleep quality and airway function.

Learn more on our What Is Myofunctional Therapy? page.

Ready to Learn More or Get Support?

If you’re concerned about sleep disordered breathing or airway issues, we recommend a discovery call to discuss your goals and determine whether myofunctional therapy is right for you or your child.

Schedule a 15-Minute Discovery Call
View Our Services
Review the Epworth Sleepiness Scale
Download the Berlin Questionnaire
Review the Fatigue Severity Scale
Download the Stop Bang Questionnaire