Why I Transitioned from Dental Hygiene to Myofunctional Therapy

For more than 20

years, I have had the privilege of working in the dental profession as a Registered Dental Hygienist. Over the years, I loved helping patients improve their oral health, build confidence in their smiles, and feel comfortable in the dental chair. But as my career evolved, I began to notice something important — many of the concerns I was seeing every day were connected to much more

than just teeth.

I started asking deeper questions.

Why were so many children developing crowded teeth so early? Why were adults struggling with clenching, grinding, jaw pain, fatigue, and poor sleep? Why were so many patients breathing through their mouths instead of their noses?

Those questions led me into the world of airway-focused dentistry and myofunctional therapy — and ultimately changed the direction of my career.

Discovering the Bigger Picture

As I continued my education in airway assessment, facial growth and development, oral function, and sleep health, I realized how connected the mouth is to the entire body. Breathing patterns, tongue posture, oral habits, sleep quality, and jaw development all play a major role in overall health.

This was a turning point for me professionally.

I became passionate about helping patients not only achieve healthy teeth and gums, but also improve the foundational functions that support lifelong wellness — breathing, sleeping, chewing, swallowing, and proper oral development.

Why Airway Health Matters

One of the most important things I have learned is that breathing well is essential to overall health.

Nasal breathing supports:

• Better oxygen absorption

• Improved sleep quality

• Healthy jaw and facial development

• Better focus and energy

• Reduced dry mouth and dental decay

• Improved nervous system regulation

• Overall wellness and quality of life

Mouth breathing, on the other hand, can contribute to issues such as:

• Crowded teeth

• Poor sleep

• Snoring

• Clenching and grinding

• Jaw pain

• Fatigue

• Behavioral and attention concerns in children

• Improper facial growth and development

  
  

Many families are surprised to learn that these symptoms can be connected to oral function and airway health.

My Passion for Growth and Development in Children

One of the most rewarding parts of my work is helping children during critical stages of growth and development.

60% of facial and jaw growth is done at age 6, with the majority of growth done by age 12 (90%)

Early identification of airway and oral function concerns can make a tremendous difference in a child’s health and development. Habits such as mouth breathing, low tongue posture, prolonged thumb sucking, or improper swallowing patterns can influence the way the jaws and face grow over time.

By addressing these concerns early, we can often help guide healthier development and support:

• Better breathing

• Improved sleep

• Proper jaw growth

• Healthier oral habits

• Reduced orthodontic complications later on

  
  

I believe education and early intervention are incredibly powerful tools for families.

Types of early expanders: Amcop, Myobrace and Biobloc

Helping Patients of All Ages

Although early intervention is important, myofunctional therapy can benefit patients of all ages.

Adults often come to me struggling with:

• Jaw tension or TMJ discomfort

• Clenching and grinding

• Poor sleep

• Snoring

• Mouth breathing

• Tongue ties

• Fatigue

• Difficulty chewing or swallowing

  
  

Through myofunctional therapy and airway-focused education, patients can learn healthier oral and breathing patterns that support long-term health and function.

It is incredibly rewarding to see patients improve not only their oral health, but also their sleep, energy, comfort, and quality of life.

Continuing to Learn and Grow

One of the things I love most about this field is that it is constantly evolving. I have spent the last several years taking advanced continuing education courses in:

• Airway assessment

• Growth and development

• Sleep-disordered breathing

• Oral function

• Myofunctional therapy

  
  

This has become a true passion of mine, and I am committed to continuing to learn, grow, and provide the best possible care and education for my patients and community.

More Than Teeth

Transitioning from dental hygiene to myofunctional therapy has allowed me to look beyond the teeth and focus on the whole person.

My goal is to help patients breathe better, sleep better, grow better, and ultimately feel better.

Because optimal health starts with the foundations — proper breathing, healthy oral function, quality sleep, and airway health.

And sometimes, changing the way we breathe can truly change the way we live.

If you are interested in beginning your whole body health journey today, contact me today!!

Contact me today!!