Myofunctional Issues & Tongue Posture in Calgary SW
Myofunctional Issues & Tongue Posture
The way your tongue rests, the way you swallow, and whether you breathe through your nose or mouth all have a profound effect on your jaw development, airway health, sleep quality, and even facial structure. Myofunctional therapy – a guided exercise programme for the muscles of the tongue, lips, and face – corrects these patterns in both children and adults, with benefits that extend far beyond the mouth.
Signs of myofunctional dysfunction:
- Mouth breathing at rest or during sleep
- Low or forward tongue resting position
- Snoring or sleep apnea
- Jaw pain or TMJ dysfunction
- Difficulty swallowing or speech issues
- Open bite or dental crowding in children
How we treat it: Myofunctional therapy consists of a personalised series of guided exercises designed to retrain the resting posture of the tongue, establish nasal breathing, and improve the muscle coordination involved in swallowing. For children, early intervention can prevent downstream orthodontic and airway problems. For adults, it is highly effective alongside oral appliance therapy for sleep apnea.
This care is provided on the medical side of Westside under Dr. Sabah Jarullah, family physician. Every patient begins with a medical assessment; insured visits are covered under the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan. No referral needed.
How Westside helps with myofunctional issues & tongue posture
Jaw, facial and musculoskeletal pain at Westside is assessed by Dr. Sabah Jarullah, our on-site family physician, and Dr. Zubaida Hussain together – so the joint, the muscles and the drivers behind them are treated as one problem. Options include EMVITAL® high-intensity laser therapy and EMFACE® jaw-muscle treatment on the medical side of the clinic, therapeutic jaw-muscle injections, custom guards, myofunctional therapy and, where stress drives the clenching, EXOMIND™ TMS.
We are in West Springs, Calgary SW – Suite 1120, 930 – 85th Street SW – serving Aspen Woods, Cougar Ridge, Springbank and the surrounding communities.
Related Services
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Questions we hear about myofunctional issues & tongue posture
Do I need a referral?
No. Book directly; the physician assessment is the first step and no referral is needed.
Is the assessment covered?
Physician assessments are insured services under the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan. Any private costs for device-based courses are explained before you commit.
How soon will I notice a difference?
It depends on the cause. Your plan includes a review point so results are measured, not assumed, and the plan is adjusted if needed.
Content reviewed by Dr. Zubaida Hussain, dentist, and Dr. Sabah Jarullah, family physician, at Westside, West Springs, Calgary SW — last reviewed September 2026. Educational information only; it does not replace an assessment with your provider.
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