Hello Hello!

Summertime is in full swing here in Portugal! Our town just had a sardine festival. They take summer holidays very seriously - out of office replies are expected for any emails sent after August 1st. I'm planning a road trip for the end of next month - but until then, I'm here if you need me! Here are some resources that I HOPE you might find helpful... (that's meant to be punny when you see the first resource).

Recommended Resources at Documenting Hope

In my years practicing biological dentistry, one conversation came up nearly every day: mercury exposure from metal fillings. That’s where I first learned the “body burden bucket” analogy. Every body is dealing with its own unique load of stressors, many of which come just from living in our modern world.

From environmental toxins to lifestyle habits that don’t quite match our biology, the challenges are real. And while we can’t eliminate every stressor, we can lighten the load.

My worlds of biologic dentistry and airway dentistry don't always overlap. That’s why I was so glad to hear Beth Lambert speaking recently to the airway dentistry community. Beth is the founder of Documenting Hope, a nonprofit that supports root-cause healing for children with chronic health and developmental conditions. She’s been a powerful advocate for exploring why kids are so sick today - and more importantly, what we can do about it.

💻 If you’re a fan of PowerPoint-style presentations, her full talk is available here. This topic was so important that the webinar is being shared as a rare public release from AAPMD (most of their webinars are member-only).
🎙️ Prefer to listen? Catch her in conversation with orthodontist Dr. Mike Deluke on his podcast.

Beth spent a lot of time on one topic that deserves more attention: the microbiome. Keep reading for more resources on that topic...

Functional Dentistry Meets Functional Medicine

In airway dentistry, we often see improvement in symptoms like allergies and eczema, digestive issues, and hyperactive behavior when we support better jaw growth, breathing, and sleep. But those aren't the only roads to healing. What works for one family might not be the right fit for another.

That’s why I’m excited to introduce you to my friend Kaitlyn, a functional medicine practitioner who works virtually with families on many of the same symptoms we talk about here, just from a different angle. She created a helpful PDF resource I’d love to pass along. If you’re feeling stuck or looking for next steps, she’s a fantastic person to connect with. Grab her PDF here:

​Detox Dietitian - Pediatric Gut Health .pdf​

And if you missed last month’s newsletter, don’t forget about Dr. Ellie, an integrative pediatrician with deep knowledge in gut health (go back to check out some of her resources here).

Something New I Learned Recently

I recently attended a lecture by Diane Bahr, the author of Nobody Ever Told Me (or My Mother) That!, and found myself diving into some of her resources afterward. One perspective really stuck with me.

You know how when you're feeling tired but need to focus—like studying or working—you're often encouraged to get up and take a quick walk? That’s because gross motor movements (like walking) activate the body and help shift us into a more alert state.

On the flip side, before bed, we’re often encouraged to engage in fine motor activities—like knitting, drawing, or even reading. (I’d never thought of reading as a fine motor skill of the eyes, but it totally is!) These smaller, more controlled movements can help calm the body.

I love reframing everyday things like this. It just makes so much sense—and now I have a new appreciation for how we move through our day.

📌 Oris Wellness Resources for You

Just a few reminders about the tools I’ve created to help parents move from confusion to clarity:

1. ​Airway Alert – A quick visual screening tool that helps you spot early red flags just by looking at your child’s teeth.
2. ​Smile Support Stairsteps – A guide to understanding treatment options, from toothpillows to expanders, and more.
3. ​1:1 Concierge Calls – If you want to cut through the overwhelm and get a clear, customized path forward, I’m here to help. We’ll tap into your child’s unique story and create a plan that feels right for your family.

I'm trying to get back into making new YouTube videos, so if there's a topic you're interested in learning about, just hit reply to this email and let me know! I LOVE when I can customize content to your areas of interest.

Thanks for being here!

Hope you're staying cool this summer. 😎

All the best,

Dr. Julia