More Than Teeth

Sleep Apnea at 25: Maxillary Expansion with Eric Eberly

Dr. Bennett interviews his patient, Eric Eberly, about treating sleep-disordered breathing and airway underdevelopment. Eric describes being diagnosed with sleep apnea at 25 while weighing 280 pounds, relying on a poorly titrated CPAP, using 2–3 energy drinks daily for years, and suffering from chronic headaches and migraines. Following a chiropractor referral, Dr. Bennett diagnosed an underdeveloped maxilla and initiated airway development therapy in 2023, which included a Replenish water bottle, maxillary expansion with a facemask, mouth taping, and, later, a tongue-tie release. When life interrupted in-office treatment, Eric continued at home with intensive stretching, myofunctional habits, nasal breathing, didgeridoo practice, posture and chewing training, barefoot-style running, and cold exposure, also applying strategies to his kids, two of whom were diagnosed with sleep apnea. He reports that he stopped taking caffeine and medications and has experienced improved mood, energy, learning, and family life. 02:09 Life Before Treatment 02:22 Sleep Apnea Diagnosis Story 04:08 Nasal Breathing Breakthrough 05:16 Chiropractor Referral to Airway Care 05:33 Maxilla Underdevelopment Explained 06:18 Adult Expansion and Face Mask 08:03 Mouth Taping Sleep Setup 12:22 Didgeridoo for Airway Strength 13:42 Chewing Posture Training 14:41 Kids Sleep Apnea Routine 17:11 Life Without Caffeine 18:30 New Skills New Joy 22:09 Airway Health Misconceptions 24:57 When To Seek Help 26:08 Compliance And Healing If you found this episode valuable, share it with a colleague or friend who wants to breathe better, sleep deeper, and live healthier. Your support helps us expand the conversation around airway-focused care and whole-body wellness. Together, we can move dentistry beyond the chair. Michael Bennett, DDS, PhD Board-Certified Dentist | Healthcare Professions Educator Empowering total health through airway-focused dentistry Advanced Dental Care [https://www.advanced-dentalcare.com/] – Dr. Bennett’s clinical practice and patient-centered services Connect on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-bennett-54a7b859/] – Join the movement for airway-first, total health dentistry About the Guest: Eric is a husband and father of four who has spent much of his life navigating a range of health challenges, particularly related to his jaw and facial development. At 25, he was diagnosed with sleep apnea, which led him to explore alternative approaches to healing. After connecting with Dr. Bennett, he began pursuing natural methods to expand his maxilla, significantly improving his sleep apnea and overall well-being. Today, he shares his experience to help others better understand the connection between airway health and quality of life.

Child Sleep Apnea & Airway Obstruction: A Mom’s Story

In this episode of More Than Teeth Podcast, host Dr. Michael Bennett talks with Allison Allred about her harrowing journey to uncover the root cause of her young son's debilitating symptoms. What began with concerns over optic nerve swelling led to a diagnosis of idiopathic intracranial hypertension and a deeper exploration into issues like sleep apnea and airway obstruction. Allison's unwavering determination led to life-changing improvements in her son's health and behavior. Key takeaways include the importance of trusting maternal instincts, the need for persistent medical investigation, and the powerful role of holistic approaches in treating chronic conditions. 00:43 Initial Symptoms and Diagnosis 02:37 Exploring Treatment Options 03:47 Discovering the Underlying Issues 07:12 Meeting the Specialist and Treatment Plan 11:55 Improvements and Reflections If you found this episode valuable, share it with a colleague or friend who wants to breathe better, sleep deeper, and live healthier. Your support helps us expand the conversation around airway-focused care and whole-body wellness. Together, we can move dentistry beyond the chair. Michael Bennett, DDS, PhD Board-Certified Dentist | Healthcare Professions Educator Empowering total health through airway-focused dentistry Advanced Dental Care [https://www.advanced-dentalcare.com/] – Dr. Bennett’s clinical practice and patient-centered services Connect on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-bennett-54a7b859/] – Join the movement for airway-first, total health dentistry

Transforming Dental Appointments Through Better Breathing and Oral Health Protocols with Julie Seager

In this podcast episode, Dr. Michael Bennett welcomes Julie Seager, Education Manager for Xlear and a practicing dental hygienist, to discuss practical clinical protocols that bridge the gap between oral health and total well-being. They explore the critical role of nasal breathing in the dental setting, detailing how pre-procedural nasal hygiene can significantly improve airway volume and patient comfort. Julie shares the science behind xylitol and grapefruit seed extract, explaining their functions as anti-adhesives and mucolytics against airborne pathogens. They also delve into specific regimens for managing high-risk caries, periodontal disease, and dry mouth, as well as the benefits of chewing gum for pediatric orthodontic cases. Highlighting the importance of protecting both the patient and the provider from aerosols, the discussion emphasizes simple, effective strategies to enhance clinical outcomes and office productivity. 04:12 The "Congested Patient" Scenario 06:45 Pre-Procedural Protocols and Airway Studies 09:20 Correct Nasal Spray Technique 11:15 The Science of Xylitol and the Microbiome 14:10 Grapefruit Seed Extract and Drug Interactions 17:45 Provider Safety in Dental Aerosols 20:05 Oral Protocols: Caries, Perio, and Dry Mouth 27:30 Addressing Bad Breath and Tonsil Stones 31:10 Pediatric and Orthodontic Applications If you found this episode valuable, share it with a colleague or friend who wants to breathe better, sleep deeper, and live healthier. Your support helps us expand the conversation around airway-focused care and whole-body wellness. Together, we can move dentistry beyond the chair. Michael Bennett, DDS, PhD Board-Certified Dentist | Healthcare Professions Educator Empowering total health through airway-focused dentistry Advanced Dental Care [https://www.advanced-dentalcare.com/] – Dr. Bennett’s clinical practice and patient-centered services Connect on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-bennett-54a7b859/] – Join the movement for airway-first, total health dentistry Guest Information: Julie Seager is a practicing dental hygienist with over three decades of clinical experience. As the Education Manager for Xlear, she educates healthcare providers ranging from dentists to ENTs, on the research and implementation of xylitol-based protocols for airway and oral health. https://www.morethanteeth.com/podcast/transforming-dental-appointments-through-better-breathing-and-oral-health-protocols

Transformative Tongue Ties: Uncovering Infant Health

In this episode of the More Than Teeth podcast, Dr. Michael Bennett hosts Sherri Gunn, a nurse practitioner, lactation consultant, and myofunctional therapist, for a deep dive into the nuances of tongue ties across different age groups. Sherry shares a success story of an infant who could breastfeed pain-free after a CO2 laser release. They emphasize the critical roles of proper tongue function in overall health, touching on subjects like breastfeeding, sleep apnea, orthodontics, and speech development. Sherry details the considerations and contraindications for tongue tie releases at various stages of childhood, stressing the importance of personalized treatment plans. 01:29 Celebrating Success Stories 04:45 The Importance of Proper Tongue Function 09:55 Evaluating the Need for Tongue Tie Release 16:09 Personal Experiences and Professional Insights 22:18 Challenges with Adult Orthodontics 23:27 Therapy Techniques for Infants and Toddlers 28:09 Challenges with Toddlers and Tongue Release 32:16 Myofunctional Therapy for Young Children 34:53 The Role of Prevention in Healthcare If you found this episode valuable, share it with a colleague or friend who wants to breathe better, sleep deeper, and live healthier. Your support helps us expand the conversation around airway-focused care and whole-body wellness. Together, we can move dentistry beyond the chair. Michael Bennett, DDS, PhD Board-Certified Dentist | Healthcare Professions Educator Empowering total health through airway-focused dentistry Advanced Dental Care [https://www.advanced-dentalcare.com/] – Dr. Bennett’s clinical practice and patient-centered services Connect on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-bennett-54a7b859/] – Join the movement for airway-first, total health dentistry About Guest: Sherri Gunn Sherri is passionate about helping individuals and families on the road to better health. She is a wife and mother of 6 and all of her kids were tongue tied. She started as a NICU RN, became an IBCLC to help mothers and infants on their breastfeeding journeys, then took a deep dive into tongue ties and became a myofunctional therapist. She knew she wanted to create a space for families and with her partner Anne Tullis, the Utah Breastfeeding and Tongue Tie Center was born. There with incredible team members they have created a space that offers craniosacral therapy, speech therapy, myofunctional therapy as well as lactation education and support. They do weekly tongue/lip tie releases with local pediatric dentists and support their families through their journeys. Sherri loves traveling with her family, baking, driving carpool to dance and taking care of their mini farm. Website: https://www.utahbreastfeedingandtonguetie.com/ [https://www.utahbreastfeedingandtonguetie.com/]

Jaw Development Secrets: Nurturing Healthy Smiles

In this episode of More Than Teeth Podcast, Dr. Michael Bennett discusses the often-overlooked factors contributing to underdeveloped jaws in children, which increase the risk of needing braces and wisdom teeth extractions. Highlighting the impact of modern dietary habits, mouth breathing, and environmental factors, Dr. Bennett provides practical advice for parents on how to encourage natural jaw and airway development. By focusing on proper nutrition, promoting nasal breathing, and implementing simple habits, parents can help their children achieve healthier lives with wider smiles and fewer orthodontic issues. 01:04 Historical Perspective on Jaw Development 01:31 Modern Lifestyle and Environmental Factors 05:55 Impact of Jaw Development on Health 08:21 Case Study: Treating a Child's Breathing Disorder 11:44 Practical Tips for Parents 15:39 Conclusion and Key Takeaways If you found this episode valuable, share it with a colleague or friend who wants to breathe better, sleep deeper, and live healthier. Your support helps us expand the conversation around airway-focused care and whole-body wellness. Together, we can move dentistry beyond the chair. Michael Bennett, DDS, PhD Board-Certified Dentist | Healthcare Professions Educator Empowering total health through airway-focused dentistry Advanced Dental Care [https://www.advanced-dentalcare.com/] – Dr. Bennett’s clinical practice and patient-centered services Connect on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-bennett-54a7b859/] – Join the movement for airway-first, total health dentistry