This is mouth breathing awareness month and we’ve been diving deep into why our kids are struggling with sleep, behavior, attention, and growth and how so much of it starts in the mouth.
We’ve covered shrinking faces, chaotic brains, and red flags that show up before any diagnosis. Now, it’s time to shift from awareness to action.
Because here’s the truth: You don’t need to wait for a diagnosis. You don’t need a referral to start making a difference. You already have tools at home to support your child’s jaw, airway, and brain.
This isn’t about perfection. It’s about small, consistent habits that send a powerful signal:
“You are safe. You are supported. Your body knows how to grow.”
Let’s walk through the 4 categories that matter most: Chew, Nourish, Breathe, Observe.
1. Chew to Grow
Kids today are chewing less than ever. Pouches, soft snacks, and ultra-processed food don’t challenge their facial muscles.
But chewing isn’t just for digestion. It builds jaw strength, facial symmetry, airway tone, and even brain regulation.
Try this daily:
- Crunchy veggies: carrots, bell peppers, snap peas
- Jerky, dried mango, meat sticks
- Crusty sourdough, dense rice cakes
- MyoMunchee, frozen bagels (with supervision)
Make it fun: Lion bites, dinosaur jaws, carrot-chewing contests. Chewing builds structure and connection.
2. Nourish the Bones
Facial growth is fueled by nutrients. Without the right inputs, bones stay soft, underdeveloped, or misaligned.
Feed your child’s development with:
- Vitamin D (egg yolks, salmon, cod liver oil)
- Vitamin K2 (grass-fed butter, ghee, aged cheeses)
- Magnesium + Zinc (pumpkin seeds, lentils, dark chocolate, oysters)
Even picky eaters benefit from one nourishing swap a day.
3. Train the Tongue + Support the Breath
The tongue is the unsung hero of facial growth. If it rests low or forward, the palate narrows, the jaw shifts, and breathing struggles follow.
Start training awareness at home:
- Tongue to the roof behind the teeth (say “N”)
- Lips closed during rest and screen time
- Nose-only breathing (cotton ball games, breathing races)
Say: “Let’s park your tongue on the roof like a ninja!” or “Can you breathe quietly like a fox?”
4. Observe and Ask
Parents are the first (and best) airway advocates. Watch for:
- Open-mouth posture
- Snoring, grinding, or restless sleep
- Avoiding chewy textures
- Speech delays or excessive drooling
- Shirt chewing or sensory seeking
Ask your providers:
- “Can you evaluate tongue posture or jaw growth?”
- “Do you refer to myofunctional therapists or airway-aware dentists?”
Even if the answer is no you’ve started the shift.
You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to be present.
Because when you support the jaw, you support the airway, the brain, the body, and the child.
Follow @dental_hygiene_411 for more tips, reels, and tools all month.
Stronger jaws. Calmer brains. Better sleep.
It starts with a shift and you.
