Airway Centric Dentistry and Orthodontics Supported with Chiropractic Care

Broadmoor Chiropractic Massage Naturopathy
Dec 13, 2025
3 min read

Airway-focused chiropractic care in Richmond, BC assessing cranial, cervical, and oral structures to improve breathing and posture. — Chiropractic assessment helps identify tension and alignment issues in the tongue, jaw, and neck that can impact breathing and airway function.

At Broadmoor Chiropractic Massage Naturopathy in Richmond, BC, our chiropractors regularly assess how the nervous system, cranial and facial joints including TMJ (jaw), upper neck and spine, upper body and ribs, muscles and tongue influence a person’s ability to breathe well. Breathing feels automatic, but proper breathing posture and the airway depends on coordinated movement between bones, joints, soft tissues, secretions and bodily gases and fluids, and the nervous system that controls them.

Chiropractic care can play an important supportive role alongside airway focused dental or orthodontic treatment for proper breathing and open airway. This applies to all ages. Many babies are regularly referred to us by healthcare practitioners and professionals for tongue-ties, feeding or latching challenges, whereas toddlers and children may struggle with mouth breathing, speech delays or challenges, and adults may experience TMJ discomfort,snoring or sleep apnea.

Why the Tongue Matters

The tongue is a strong and highly coordinated muscle. It helps with breathing, swallowing, feeding and speech. During an assessment, we evaluate cranial nerve and joint function, fascial connections, tension patterns in the jaw, neck and inside the mouth, tongue and head position and posture, as well as compensation caused by tightness or pain.

These patterns show up differently across ages. Babies with tongue ties or tight oral tissues may have difficulty coordinating their latch. Older children or adults may show tongue dysfunction through delayed or challenged speech, TMJ tension, dental or orthodontic work, changes in swallowing, open mouth posture or nighttime airway symptoms.

How the Neck Influences the Airway

The neck or cervical spine does much more than support the head. Vital nerves controlling the tongue, like Vagus (Cranial Nerve 10) and Hypoglossal (Cranial Nerve 12), have control centers in the upper neck, which may be interfered with from joints that aren’t functioning optimally. Neck alignment affects airway space and breathing patterns. A forward head posture or a reduced cervical curve can impact tongue position, jaw mechanics and breathing during rest or sleep. It may also be an indicator of sympathetic or parasympathetic nervous system function, which can affect airway function.

During a chiropractic visit, we check for nervous system and joint function, alignment issues, muscle tightness and postural habits that may contribute to airway strain.

The Palate, Nasal Passages and Breathing

The palate forms the roof of the mouth and the floor of the nose. Its shape can influence airflow, tongue posture and even facial and head development in growing babies and children. A narrow or high palate often relates to mouth breathing, snoring, congestion or restricted tongue movement.

Chiropractic assessment includes evaluating nervous system coordination and control, cranial mobility, jaw tension and soft tissue patterns that may be influencing nasal breathing or palatal development. Chiropractic care can also take a holistic approach, assessing both direct and indirect structures that influence the airways and breathing; such as the diaphragm, intercostal and upper trapezius muscles, as well as fascial connections and anatomy trains throughout the body.

Who Can Benefit

Supportive chiropractic care may be helpful for:

Babies with latching or feeding challenges or tension related to tongue ties
Children who snore, mouth breathe or have narrow palate development
Adults experiencing TMJ discomfort, headaches and migraines, sleep-related breathing issues like sleep apnea, or neck tension related to head-forward posture or torticollis.

Even when symptoms seem unrelated, breathing patterns often play a role. Neuromusculoskeletal-focused chiropractic care may support anyone receiving airway-centric dentistry and orthodontics by optimizing joint alignment, soft tissue balance, and neuromuscular coordination.

What We Assess

During a visit, we may evaluate:

Tongue movement and coordination
Cervical spine (neck) alignment and mobility
Jaw and cranial mechanics
Muscle tone in the neck, face and oral tissues
Fascial connections involved with tongue movement and breathing
Posture and habitual breathing patterns
Palate shape and nasal influence

A Whole Body View of Airway Centric Health Through Chiropractic Care

Breathing influences feeding, talking and singing, sleep, strength and movement, blood and body chemistry, focus and overall wellbeing. When chiropractic care is combined with the work of airway centric dentistry or orthodontics, it supports healthier structure and function across the entire system.

If you or your child has been experiencing airway related concerns, TMJ discomfort, feeding challenges or snoring, an airway focused chiropractic assessment may help you understand the root cause. Visit our services page to learn more about how we can support you at Broadmoor Chiropractic Massage Naturopathy.