Happy Back-to-School Season!

Just this morning, one of my earliest clients shared an update that filled my heart with joy. When we first connected, her daughter was just 3 years old and struggling with sleep. Fast forward a few years - with dedicated effort through myofunctional therapy, tethered oral tissue release, and dental expansion - they recently repeated a sleep test with their dentist. The results? Excellent sleep quality.

Now, as she heads off to her very first day of kindergarten, she’s starting this school year in a strong, healthy place: ready to learn, grow, and thrive.

Stories like this remind me why I do this work. This airway dentistry approach sets the foundation for life to be better in so many ways - including sleep and academic performance. As we step into a new school year, I’m wishing you and your little ones the same: restful sleep and the wellness foundation to truly flourish.

FAQ x 2 --> Head Over to YouTube!

Orthodontic decisions can feel overwhelming. Expanders, clear aligners, braces… which option is truly right for your child? I just released two new YouTube videos to help clear up some common confusion.

Video 1: Sutural vs. Dentoalveolar Expansion: What’s the Difference?

Not all “expansion” works the same way. In this video, I break down:

• The difference between sutural expansion and dentoalveolar expansion
• Why “tipping” teeth isn’t always as bad as it sounds
• How the upper and lower jaws grow differently - and why that matters for treatment
• A simple analogy for how widening the jaws can sometimes help with forward growth

👉 Watch the Expansion Video here​

Video 2: Clear Aligners for Kids: What Parents Need to Know

Clear aligners like Invisalign® are becoming increasingly popular for children—but are they always the best choice? In this video, I share:

• What the latest research says about aligners for jaw expansion
• 8 things every parent should know before starting treatment + Pros, cons, and important contraindications to consider

👉 Watch the Clear Aligner Video here​

I hope these resources give you more clarity and confidence as you navigate treatment decisions for your child. As always, my goal is to empower you to make the best choices for your family’s health.

What is Airway-Aware Care?

If you've been with me for a while, you know that airway health impacts far more than teeth - it touches growth, sleep, behavior, immunity, and overall health. Unfortunately, most medical and dental training programs don’t cover this perspective.

That’s why I created a new PDF guide: Airway-Aware Care. Inside, I share:

• Why airway health matters across all health disciplines
• My own journey into this work (and why it changed how I practice). These are actually some stories I've never told before!
• Common directories to help you start finding airway-aware professionals near you

I’m sharing this with you for two reasons:

1. If you’d like to dive deeper into these topics yourself
2. So you’ll have something to pass along if your pediatrician, SLP, ENT, naturopath, or other provider says, “I’d like to learn more about that.”

Together, we can spread awareness and build a more connected network to support children’s health.

👉 ​Download the Airway Aware Care PDF here ​

That's actually a pretty jam-packed little resource. So I don't want to load you up with too much more information here this month. But I do have one more thing before you go...

Do you want to join me for a 30-day challenge?

I decided to challenge myself to 30 days of one small, consistent action to support my own airway health. My choice? Using my REMplenish straw daily (it helps strengthen and train the tongue while swallowing). I already own one, but haven't built an ongoing habit of using it regularly - yet.

Don't have the same straw? Don't fret- you can make this challenge your own! Choose your own adventure. Other great options include:

• Jumping back into myofunctional therapy exercises
• Practicing nasal hygiene every day
• Trying mouth taping day or night (if safely pre-approved!)
• Breathwork practices like box breathing or alternate nostril breathing
• Fascia maneuvers to release tension and improve ease of breathing
• Actually taking your vitamins and supplements every day

There’s nothing to officially sign up for—I’ll just be showing up on Instagram each day to share my progress. I'll be kicking this off on Sunday, August 24th. If you’d like to join me, you can:
👉 Follow along on Instagram​
👉 Or reply to this email with what you’ll be trying. I’ll check back in with you halfway through and again at the 30-day mark to hear how it’s going!

Let’s make this fun, simple, and supportive - because small, consistent habits can add up to big shifts in health. Are you in?

Wishing you and your family all the best,

Dr. Julia