Call me at: 281-409-3590
Is Myofunctional therapy the missing link in your overall health?
Small muscle habits can make big airway, oral, and overall health changes that can last a lifetime!
About me
My name is Juli (Amy) Keating. I am a wife, and mother of four. They were a big part of my "why" for my starting this amazing journey into the world of Myofunctional Therapy.
As a parent, and Registered dental hygienist, I saw the impact of Myofunctional disorders but didn't know these disorders were the root cause for what I was seeing so often. Children grinding their teeth down, breathing difficulties, severe gag reflex, mouth breathing, and crooked teeth are just a few of the symptoms I observed regularly. I saw so many issues that seemed to be pieces to a bigger puzzle.
Recognizing the lack of awareness, and understanding surrounding these disorders I decided to delve deeper into Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy.
About Spero
What’s in a word?
What’s in a word?
What’s in a word?
“Spero" is a Latin word that means “hope”. This word resonates deeply with me, as it encapsulates the essence of perseverance. Inspired by the latin phrase, “Dum Spiro, Spero" - "While I breathe...I hope,” I strive to foster a sense of optimism, and determination in my clients, as we work together to restore hope for their improved overall health.
Expertise
What’s in a word?
What’s in a word?
I graduated from the Wharton Dental Hygiene school in 2001, and began working in General and Pediatric dentistry. I recieved my first Myofunctional therapist training through the International Association of Orofacial Myology(IAOM), and went on to graduate from Sarah K Hornsby's MyoMentor Program. My approach to Myfunctional therapy is we
I graduated from the Wharton Dental Hygiene school in 2001, and began working in General and Pediatric dentistry. I recieved my first Myofunctional therapist training through the International Association of Orofacial Myology(IAOM), and went on to graduate from Sarah K Hornsby's MyoMentor Program. My approach to Myfunctional therapy is well rounded after learning from both a Speech and language pathologist/Orofacial Myofunctional Therapist(OMT) and a Registered Dental Hygienist OMT.
I have attended, and continue to attend, hundreds of hours of continuing education courses in the field of Dentistry, Airway and Orofacial Myofunctional therapy. I have shadowed multiple leaders in the field of Holistic, Functional and Myofunctional Therapy(Tongue tie release providers/Airway Dentists/ENT’s/Integrative medicine doctors/Physical therapists/Speech and Language Pathologists/Chiropractors).
Approach
Appointments
Appointments
It is often said that it takes a village to raise children! It also takes a village of providers collaborating for your optimal care. Care is taken to see you as a whole person and work to optimize your quality of life through correcting dysfunctional habits while collaborating and referring to specialists as needed for a superior level of care.
Appointments
Appointments
Appointments
Your initial appointment is a comprehensive in-person evaluation to determine your specific needs. After reviewing the information gathered at your evaluation, your program will be created. Therapy sessions will be conducted through Telehealth video conferencing in the comfort of your home/office.
Common Myofunctional Disorders and symptoms
Bruxism
High vaulted palate
Malloclusion
Bruxism is clenching/grinding of your teeth. While it can be related to stress, it is also linked to Sleep Disordered Breathing(SDB) issues such as Obstructive Sleep Apnea, and Upper Airway Restrictive Syndrome(UARS) . There isn't alway pain associated with bruxism, but your dental care team will be able to see increasing wear of your teeth at a more severe rate than would naturally occur with aging.
Malloclusion
High vaulted palate
Malloclusion
There are multiple causes for teeth malocclusion(crooked teeth) including: narrow palates, improper tongue resting posture, low tongue tone, noxious habits and dysfunctional swallowing to name a few. The tongue is the scaffolding for the upper dental arch and the base of the nose, so correcting these related Orofacial Myofunctional disorders that lead to malocclusion is about much more than esthetics!
High vaulted palate
High vaulted palate
Gum disease and cavities
This can be a condition from birth, caused by dysfunctional tongue placement, childhood illnesses, noxious habits, and soft diets. A narrow upper palate leads to a narrow base of the nose, which can lead to airway issues that affect the health of the entire body.
Gum disease and cavities
Gum disease and cavities
Gum disease and cavities
Gingivitis and cavities can be present due to poor dental hygiene, but mouth breathing can also be an oftentimes missed contributing factor. Nasal breathing helps prevent mouth breathing and our saliva helps keep our mouths healthy!
Messy eating
Gum disease and cavities
Messy eating
If Myofunctional disorders are present proper movement of food can be challenging. Overfilling the cheeks, and open mouth eating might be observed, and choking possibilities can be increased.
Drooling
Gum disease and cavities
Messy eating
Issues that cause restricted movement of the tongue can also lead to drooling past the age of 2. Salivary accumulation at the corners of the mouth and slightly spitting when talking can also be seen when oral restrictions are present.
Tongue Ties
Noxious oral habits
Noxious oral habits
A tongue tie, medically known as ankyloglossia, is a condition present at birth where the thin piece of tissue (lingual frenulum) connecting the underside of the tongue to the floor of the mouth is restrictive and limits the tongue's range of motion. Everyone has an attachment under the tongue, but if it is exceptionally restrictive the limitation of movement can affect various oral functions and even cause the tongue to block the airway. Speaking, eating, chewing,swallowing, tightness in neck and shoulders and teeth crowding are a few ways a tongue tie can have negative effects.
Noxious oral habits
Noxious oral habits
Noxious oral habits
Noxious oral habits refer to behaviors that can be harmful to oral health and overall well-being. These habits often involve repetitive actions that may cause damage to the teeth, gums, or oral structures. Examples include using pacifiers past age 2, thumb sucking, nail biting, and lip biting.
Sleep Apnea
Noxious oral habits
Tongue thrusts
Sleep disordered breathing such as Obstructive Sleep Apnea, and Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome can affect both adults and children.These sleep disorders are characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep, teeth grinding, urge to pee in the middle of the night frequently, restless leg syndrome, restless sleeping and often times snoring. Obstructive Sleep Apnea(OSA)can lead to daytime fatigue/hyperactivity,ADHD type symptoms, bed wetting, dry mouth, moodiness and many health issues if left untreated.
Tongue thrusts
Mouth breathing
Tongue thrusts
A tongue thrust is a condition where the tongue pushes against, or between, the teeth during swallowing, speaking, or while at rest. There are many different causes including: digit sucking, tongue ties,and low tongue tone. Tongue thrusts can negatively impact speech, dental alignment, and over all oral health.
Ortho relapse
Mouth breathing
Mouth breathing
Orthodontic relapse is the gradual shifting or movement of teeth back towards their original positions after orthodontic treatment has been completed. This movement can occur due to various factors, including untreated myofunctional disorders. Orthodontic relapse can result in the need for further intervention, and financial investment.
Mouth breathing
Mouth breathing
Mouth breathing
Mouth breathing is not always obvious. Mouth breathing PREVENTS:
*Filtration of the air going into your lungs
*Nasal nitrous oxide production for improved lung function
*Optimal facial growth
Affiliations/Training
