Airway Coach Virtual Summit - You're Invited!

Exciting News! I’m thrilled to announce that I’ll be a featured expert at the 2024 Airway Coach Fall Virtual Summit! This FREE online event is your chance to gain invaluable insights into how improving your breathing during sleep can lead to a healthier, happier life. Join me and 9 other experts over three days December 6-8th We share tips, tools, and strategies to help you breathe better and thrive! Register now for FREE and take the first step toward better sleep and wellness.

Why You Should Start Gargling (Yes, Really!)

I know it sounds silly—like an old-school habit from black-and-white Hollywood movies—but hear me out. Gargling, along with singing and humming, activates the vagus nerve, a powerhouse in your body responsible for reducing stress, supporting digestion, and boosting immune function. We often think of the mouth as just for chewing and eating, but it plays a much bigger role in overall health than we give it credit for. I’ve been setting better daily intentions to connect my mind and body, starting with belting out Unwritten by Natasha Bedingfield. (How inspiring is “Feel the rain on your skin, no one else can feel it for you, only you can let it in”?) Whether it’s holiday carols, a Taylor Swift anthem, or a quick gargle, find something that calls to you and give it a try. Full disclosure: I just gargled while typing this, and now my dog is deeply concerned. Your turn—let me know how it goes!

Reframing Early Intervention...

In a recent Instagram reel, I shared a fascinating case study from a free webinar by Dr. Mara Tavares, a Brazilian pediatric dentist and orthodontist. She treated a little boy with only four teeth (two top, two bottom) in crossbite—not with a dental appliance, but with simple at-home exercises using a silicone spatula. {The crossbite in this case means that the bottom teeth were positioned in front of the top teeth - think of a Bull Dog.} In just 35 days, the crossbite was resolved! This innovative approach highlights how understanding growth forces can unlock non-invasive solutions early on. It’s not about DIY fixes but about partnering with the right experts to guide your child’s development when problems first arise. If you need help finding the right team, I've got your back.

Oris Wellness Updates

While I love connecting with other professionals in airway dentistry, I get even more excited when someone outside the field wants to learn more. That’s exactly what happened when Jeffrey Mort, an integrative health practitioner, invited me to join him as a guest on his Breaking Boundaries podcast!

In this episode, we explored the transformative impact of proper breathing, oral posture, and early interventions on your child’s health. From teeth grinding and tongue positioning to surprising links between oral health, heart health, and sleep, we covered it all.

If you’ve ever wondered how small changes can create big health transformations, you’ll find plenty of insights here. 🎧

Stuffy Nose Recovery, Because Seasonal Shifts Happen... 😛

I hope that you stay warm and cozy as the winter weather sets in. It's normal to have some sniffly or stuffy noses this time of year, but just make sure you're doing all you can to promote that shift back to nasal breathing after the illness has passed. That may look like gut or nutrient support, incorporating some nasal hygiene practices, or practicing getting the lips sealed again. You can pick a secret word that only your family knows that means, "close your lips" (the sillier the word the better!) or you can have your child practice good chewing practices and building lip strength with age-appropriate toys. Let me know if you need any pointers in the right direction. I'm always excited to connect with you on my free 20-minute Discovery Calls.

Thank you so much for joining me with this month's newsletter.

All the best to you and your family,

Dr. Julia