I’m coming to you today wearing two special hats – as both a dental hygienist and an orofacial myofunctional therapist. Since February is National Children’s Dental Health Month, I’ve got something really special planned for you today.
You know, in my years of practice, I’ve seen firsthand how oral health impacts every aspect of our lives – from how we sleep and breathe to how we develop and grow. And today, I’m going to share some insights that might completely change how you think about your family’s oral health.
Let’s start with something that might surprise you: Despite all our modern dental advances, cavities remain the #1 preventable childhood disease. Think about that for a moment. Preventable. Which means we have the power to change this story.
The Traditional Approach vs. Reality We’ve all heard the basics, right? Brush twice a day, floss daily, use fluoride toothpaste. And while these are important, they’re just scratching the surface. In my practice, I see kids who do all these things perfectly and still develop issues. Why? Because we’re missing some crucial pieces of the puzzle.
The Three Hidden Factors Let me share three game-changing factors that often get overlooked:
First: Breathing Patterns You might be wondering – what does breathing have to do with oral health? Everything! When I evaluate children in my practice, one of the first things I look for is whether they’re breathing through their nose or mouth. Mouth breathing isn’t just a habit – it’s a red flag that can signal:
- Decreased saliva production (our natural cavity fighter)
- Poor sleep quality
- Altered facial development
- Even changes in behavior and focus
Second: pH Balance Think of your mouth like a swimming pool – the pH needs to be just right. When we eat sugary or acidic foods, we create an environment where harmful bacteria thrive. But here’s the exciting part – we can actively manage this through diet and breathing.
Third: Nervous System Balance This one surprises many parents, but stress directly impacts oral health. When we’re stressed, we might:
- Clench or grind our teeth
- Breathe through our mouth
- Have reduced saliva flow
- Experience inflammation
The OWNER Framework This is why I developed the OWNER framework, a holistic approach that’s transforming how families approach oral health. OWNER stands for:
O – Oxygen: Proper breathing patterns W – Water: Adequate hydration, Nutrition: pH-balanced diet, E – Enough Sleep: Quality rest R – Respect: For our body’s natural processes
Let’s break each of these down with practical steps you can implement today.
Take a quick pause right now and notice – are you breathing through your nose or mouth? This awareness is the first step to change.
Practical Implementation by Age For our littlest ones (0-2 years):
- Watch breathing patterns during sleep
- Pay attention to feeding positions
- Start oral hygiene before teeth appear
- Use proper tongue positioning during feeding
For toddlers (2-5 years):
- Make breathing exercises fun
- Establish solid oral hygiene routines
- Introduce healthy chewing habits
- Monitor pacifier use and thumb sucking
For school-age children:
- Teach the connection between breathing and health
- Establish independent oral care habits
- Address any developmental concerns
- Focus on proper tongue posture
My Favorite Exercises Let me share three exercises you can start today:
- The Butterfly Breath
- Hold a tissue paper “butterfly” near your nose
- Breathe gently to make it flutter
- Practice for 2-3 minutes daily
- The Spot Game
- Find the “spot” behind upper front teeth
- Rest tongue tip there
- Start with 30 seconds, build up time
- Make it fun with a timer!
- The Cheerio Exercise
- Place a Cheerio on the tongue
- Push it to the “spot”
- Hold for 20 seconds or till it melts
- Great for tongue strength and position
Creating Healthy Environments Your home environment plays a huge role. Here’s your action plan:
Morning Routine:
- Start with nasal breathing exercises
- Drink water before anything else
- Proper brushing and tongue positioning
- Nutritious breakfast that requires chewing
Throughout the Day:
- Regular water breaks
- Crunchy, healthy snacks
- Posture checks
- Breathing awareness moments
Evening Routine:
- Calm-down breathing exercises
- Proper oral care
- Screen-free time before bed
- Check sleeping position and breathing
Parents, what’s one small change you could make tonight in your child’s bedtime routine? Think about that as we continue.
February Challenge Since it’s National Children’s Dental Health Month, I have a special challenge for you. Each week, we’ll focus on one aspect of the OWNER framework:
Week 1 – Oxygen Focus:
- Monitor breathing patterns
- Practice nose breathing exercises
- Use breathing games
Week 2 – Water Goals:
- Track daily intake
- Replace one sugary drink
- Practice proper swallowing
Week 3 – Nutrition Revolution:
- Add one crunchy vegetable daily
- Reduce processed snacks
- Create a pH-balanced meal plan
Week 4 – Sleep and Respect:
- Establish consistent bedtime
- Create a calm-down routine
- Practice gratitude for our bodies
Remember, you don’t have to do everything at once. Start with one small change. Maybe it’s adding a breathing exercise before bedtime. Or switching one snack to something that needs more chewing. Small steps lead to big changes.
Special Opportunity: I’m excited to announce that I’m opening spots in my Healthy Habits Experience program. This is where we dive deep into implementing these changes in a way that works for your family. You’ll get:
- Weekly coaching
- Action plans
- Supportive community
- Resource library
To learn more, visit www.shereewertz.com
Before we wrap up, let me leave you with this thought: Every breath, every bite, every night of sleep is an opportunity to support your child’s development. You have more power than you realize to shape their health journey.
If you found this helpful, please share it with another parent who might benefit. Remember to subscribe for more insights on family health and wellness.
Until next time, keep breathing, keep smiling, and keep growing!
