Mom & Dads Should Listen to This!

Mom & Dads Should Listen to This!

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In this moving episode of the More Than Teeth Podcast, Dr. Michael Bennett welcomes Natalie, a devoted mother of two, who shares the incredible journey of identifying and treating sleep-related health issues in her children. This candid conversation not only highlights the profound impact of sleep on a child’s emotional, cognitive, and physical development but also sheds light on a treatment path many parents may not yet know exists.

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A Mother’s Intuition: Recognizing the Warning Signs

Natalie begins her story with heartfelt vulnerability, reflecting on the long, emotional road of motherhood. From her daughter Emma’s chronic mouth breathing, snoring, and learning struggles to her son Oliver’s teeth grinding, hyperactivity, and social challenges in school, Natalie knew something was not right—even though medical professionals often reassured her that everything was “normal.”

Despite maintaining a healthy lifestyle for her children—filled with outdoor activities, sports, and good nutrition—Natalie watched her kids fall behind. Emma’s oversized tonsils caused her to snore loudly and struggle academically, while Oliver was nearly isolated in his classroom for being “too much” to handle. The thought of placing him on medication for ADHD was crushing.

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The Turning Point: Learning About Airway and Sleep

Everything changed when Natalie was introduced to the concept that sleep and airway development might be at the root of her children’s problems. What particularly struck her was the story of Connor Deegan, a boy once misdiagnosed with defiant behavioral disorders who turned out to simply be struggling to breathe at night. That story hit home. It wasn’t defiance. It wasn’t laziness. It was sleep deprivation.

Together with Dr. Bennett, Natalie began exploring options beyond the typical “they’ll grow out of it” narrative. Her journey would soon reveal that both of her children were suffering from obstructive sleep apnea—a diagnosis that transformed everything.

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The Diagnosis: A Wake-Up Call

Sleep studies were conducted to assess the children’s breathing during the night. The results were startling. Emma was diagnosed with a severe case of sleep apnea, with an AHI (Apnea-Hypopnea Index) of 21.1—meaning she stopped breathing more than 21 times per hour. Oliver's AHI was around 10, still well above the threshold for concern.

Natalie’s reaction was deeply emotional. “I cried for a week,” she recalls. Knowing her children had been silently struggling to breathe night after night was heartbreaking. But it also provided clarity—and a direction for treatment.

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The Treatment Plan: Breathing Through the Nose, Healing Through the Night

Dr. Bennett prescribed a conservative, non-invasive approach designed to restore proper breathing patterns by guiding the tongue to the roof of the mouth and promoting nasal breathing. A custom oral appliance was introduced, along with a nasal-clearing protocol that included over-the-counter nasal sprays, the “three-blow” method, and education about proper spray technique.

The goal was twofold:

1. Encourage nasal breathing to provide filtered, humidified, nitric oxide-rich air.
   
   
2. Stimulate facial growth, particularly of the maxilla (upper jaw), to make more room for the airway and alleviate obstruction.
   
   

Within six months, a follow-up sleep study showed Emma’s AHI had dropped by nearly half—from 21 to 11—demonstrating substantial progress. Oliver's sleep test equipment failed, but the observed improvements spoke volumes.

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The Results: Academic, Emotional, and Physical Transformation

The improvements were nothing short of remarkable. Both Emma and Oliver experienced a full turnaround in their academic and social lives.

• Emma—once exhausted, anxious, and overwhelmed by homework—now wakes up refreshed, completes her assignments easily, and is excelling in school. She even started writing a novel on her own.
  
  
• Oliver, who had once been segregated in the classroom and on the verge of an ADHD diagnosis, is now thriving. He’s reading at the top of his class, has built friendships, and recently earned straight A’s.
  
  

Their physical health improved, too. Natalie noticed changes in their posture, facial symmetry, and immune function. No more strep throat, no more excessive illness. Just vibrant, happy kids finally sleeping and breathing as nature intended.

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A Message for Other Parents

Natalie’s message to parents is clear and impassioned:

“If your child is breathing through their mouth at night, if they snore, grind their teeth, have dark circles under their eyes, or seem unusually tired or unfocused—do not ignore it. These are not quirks. They are symptoms.”

She urges other parents to trust their instincts, seek out sleep-focused assessments, and never settle for “they’ll grow out of it.”

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Dr. Bennett’s Final Thoughts: The Power of Awareness

Dr. Bennett reflects on how airway-focused dental approaches can change—and save—lives. While dentists are traditionally associated with teeth, understanding the role of the jaw, tongue, and nasal passages in breathing and sleep opens the door to better health.

He emphasizes the importance of parental observation and screening:

• Check for mouth breathing
  
  
• Look for dry lips and crowded teeth
  
  
• Note recurring cavities, gum inflammation, or frequent illness
  
  
• Record nighttime snoring using free apps like SnoreLab or SnoreClock
  
  

Natalie’s story is a powerful testament to what happens when a mother’s intuition meets the right knowledge and care. Through a compassionate and targeted approach, she gave her children back their health, joy, and potential.

“Every night, my kids were dying a little bit,” Natalie says. “Now they’re thriving. And there’s no thank-you big enough for that.”

Subscribe to More Than Teeth Podcast for more transformative stories and expert guidance on how sleep can restore health—one breath at a time.

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