Knox Orofacial Myology

08/18/2026

08/18/2026

Your nose does a lot more than smell.
Every breath through your nose is being filtered before that air travels deeper into your airway. Mucus and tiny structures called cilia work together to trap and clear particles you breathe in.
Swipe through to see how your body build’s built in air filter works.
And if you or your child regularly breathe through the mouth, the bigger question is: why isn’t the nose being used?
Free consultation available at Knox Orofacial Myology

08/17/2026

Most people think their dental visit is about keeping their teeth clean.

While that's certainly important, your dental team is also evaluating your oral health, the tissues in your mouth, your bite, and changes that may provide clues about your overall health.

As a Registered Dental Hygienist and Orofacial Myofunctional Therapist, I don't just count teeth.

I'm looking at the whole picture.

During an appointment, I may notice findings such as:

• Dry mouth

• Tooth wear from grinding or clenching

• A scalloped tongue

• Mouth breathing

• Inflamed tissues

• Tongue posture

• Lip seal

• Changes in oral function

None of these findings diagnose obstructive sleep apnea.

Many can have several possible causes.

However, when these findings are combined with symptoms such as snoring, morning headaches, daytime fatigue, or poor-quality sleep, they may indicate it's time for a conversation with your physician or a sleep specialist.

One reason dental professionals are in a unique position to help is because we often see patients every six months—sometimes more regularly than they see their primary care provider.

That gives us an opportunity to notice changes over time and help patients connect the dots.

Healthcare works best when providers work together.

Dentists, dental hygienists, physicians, ENTs, sleep specialists, orthodontists, and orofacial myofunctional therapists all bring different pieces of the puzzle.

My goal is simple:

To educate.

To recognize patterns.

To help patients ask the right questions.

And when appropriate, help guide them toward the next step.

Sometimes a healthier smile begins with healthier sleep.

Research Spotlight

Research supports an interdisciplinary approach to identifying sleep-disordered breathing. Dental professionals are in a unique position to recognize oral findings associated with obstructive sleep apnea and refer patients for medical evaluation when appropriate.

References:

• American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine

• American Academy of Sleep Medicine

• American Dental Association policy statements on sleep-related breathing disorders

Have you ever been told you grind your teeth, wake up with a dry mouth, or snore?

Those findings don't automatically mean you have sleep apnea—but they may be worth discussing with your healthcare provider.

If you'd like to better understand how breathing, oral function, and sleep work together, I'd be happy to help.

Holli Brown,

Orofacial Myofunctional Therapist

Knox Orofacial Myology

Serving Galesburg, Peoria, Bloomington-Normal, Springfield, Macomb, and surrounding communities.

✔ In-Person & Virtual

📞 309-737-6837

📧 [email protected]

🌐 www.knoxorofacialmyology.com

Question:

Before today, did you know your dental team could identify clues that may point toward a sleep or airway concern?

08/17/2026

Your tongue should not have to fight for space inside your mouth.

08/17/2026

Teeth can be straight while someone still has mouth breathing, tongue thrust, poor lip seal, dysfunctional swallowing, or poor oral resting posture.

08/17/2026

Episode 47 Is your Child’s snoring Dangerous? What Parents Must Know. From No One Told Me podcast.

Podcast Episode · No One Told Me · April 22 · 1h 15m

08/16/2026

I hope you get sometime to get outside, a little sunshine and time doing what to you love.

Sometimes the best way to reset for a new week is to get outside and enjoy it.
How do you reset before you go into the week?

08/16/2026

Where does your tongue rest when you are not eating or talking?

08/16/2026

Your nose does more than move air in and out.

The nose helps filter, warm, and humidify the air before it reaches the lungs.

That matters, especially during school season, allergy season, and cold/flu season.

When we breathe through the mouth, we bypass much of that nasal filtering and conditioning system. Mouth breathing can also contribute to dry mouth, low tongue posture, open mouth rest, and changes in oral muscle function.

Nasal breathing is not about being perfect.

It is about helping the body use the airway the way it was designed to work.

If nasal breathing is difficult, congested, noisy, or uncomfortable, that is information worth paying attention to.

If your child struggles with mouth breathing or open mouth posture, a free consult is a good place to start.

Knox Orofacial Myology
www.knoxorofacialmyology.com
[email protected]
309-737-6837

08/16/2026

Weekends don’t always go the way we think they will.

I had an evaluation planned for Friday and a golf tournament Saturday and Sunday. None of that happened.

Between the heavy rain and this little guy not feeling well, plans changed pretty quickly. A trip to the vet confirmed an ear infection, so the weekend turned into taking care of him, hanging around home, grocery shopping and getting some meal prep done.

Not what I had planned, but that’s life sometimes.

Between pets, kids, weather, work and everything else, the to-do list doesn’t always win.

How did your weekend go? Anything happen that completely changed your plans?