Mouth Breathing in Kids: How Jaw Development Impacts Sleep, Behavior, and Health | Chip Talks Health S5E24

Chip:
Hello, everyone, and welcome to another exciting episode of Chip Talks Health. Today, I’m super excited to have Brianna here with us from Toothpillow. We’re going to talk about some really interesting stuff—nasal vs. mouth breathing and the health impacts of that, which are profound and way larger than you think. So get ready—this is going to be a fun show. Welcome, Brianna!

Brianna:
Thank you for having me! I’m so excited to be here. I think I’m going to learn something new myself.

Chip:
Very good—awesome. We’ll definitely dive down some rabbit holes. So tell us: how did you get started with this, and how did Toothpillow come to be?

Brianna:
I’ve worked in dentistry for 14 years. A few months after I lost my mom to sleep apnea and related health issues, I started working for a company called Vivos. They use dental appliances to help patients with sleep apnea. I started learning about the relationship between jaw size, sleep apnea, and full-body health—and I was hooked. It was like, “That’s my mom!” I wanted to be all in.

Eventually, a group of passionate dentists and physicians formed Toothpillow—a virtual dental office making this type of care affordable and accessible to families. We saw that families were driving hours to see the few providers who offered this. Toothpillow helps solve that.

Chip:
So is the treatment like a mouth guard?

Brianna:
Yes, that’s part of it. The treatment has three components:

1. Nasal hygiene and breathing education – Teaching parents how to keep kids’ noses clear and why that’s critical.

2. The guide appliance – A series of mouthpieces that guide proper muscle use and tongue posture during sleep.

3. Myofunctional therapy – This is like “yoga for your face.” It teaches proper swallowing, tongue posture, and nasal breathing. Kids sometimes call it “mewing.”

Chip:
How many kids could benefit from this?

Brianna:
Honestly, we say a child who doesn’t need this is a unicorn. If you can stick a nickel between every baby tooth—that’s ideal spacing and indicates good development. But that’s rare now. We’re seeing an epidemic of underdeveloped kids. The same with adults—try finding someone who grew in all 32 teeth, didn’t need braces or wisdom teeth removed. It’s rare because we’re not developing properly anymore.

Chip:
Why is that?

Brianna:
It’s our modern lifestyle—soft food diets, early bottle use, pacifiers, lack of breastfeeding, and unaddressed tongue ties. Indigenous cultures didn’t have these problems. Babies used their facial muscles from day one—chewing, breastfeeding, developing strength. In contrast, today’s kids eat purees and puffs, and their muscles don’t develop. If the tongue isn’t pressing up against the palate, the palate doesn’t expand. That leads to narrow jaws, high palates, and blocked nasal cavities.

Chip:
So mouth breathing starts as a survival response?

Brianna:
Exactly. The body can’t get enough oxygen through the nose, so it switches to the mouth. But that affects facial growth—elongated faces, poor drainage, sinus issues, even those dark “allergy shiners” under the eyes.

Chip:
What symptoms should parents look for?

Brianna:
Some early signs are:

• Dark under-eye circles

• No spacing between baby teeth (or even crooked baby teeth)

• Chronic ear infections

• Enlarged tonsils/adenoids

• Cavities despite good hygiene

• Bedwetting, snoring, and ADHD-like behaviors

If you see these, it’s time to act. Kids are moldable—we can make huge progress before puberty, but it gets harder as they age.

Chip:
And you’ve seen improvements in your own family?

Brianna:
Yes! My son had all those signs. He was exhausted in the mornings, twisted in his sheets, sweating. After starting Toothpillow treatment, within six weeks, he was sleeping peacefully, breathing through his nose, and his teacher said, “What changed?” His behavior and focus improved dramatically—just from getting real sleep.

Chip:
That’s incredible. Is there research on this?

Brianna:
Yes—Dr. Karen Bonuck’s study showed 50% of kids with sleep apnea also had ADHD diagnoses. When we fix their sleep, the behavioral issues often resolve.

Chip:
So what’s the process like for a parent interested in Toothpillow?

Brianna:
Parents with kids ages 3–12 can go to Toothpillow.com , upload six photos, answer a questionnaire, and submit it. Dr. Ben reviews the case to determine whether virtual care is appropriate. If approved, a state-licensed provider sends a detailed video review.

Use code “chip” and your child’s screening is completely free —normally $200.

If your case is too advanced for virtual care, we’ll help connect you with a trusted local provider.

Chip:
What about adults?

Brianna:
We’re launching adult and teen options soon, but even now—don’t wait. Email us, and we’ll help you find a provider. It’s never too late, but it’s harder with age because bone fusion occurs. But my mom’s case showed how untreated sleep apnea snowballs into heart issues, diabetes, and more. Sleep is foundational.

Chip:
Any advice for dental providers listening?

Brianna:
Yes! Email us. You can become a Toothpillow provider, or we’ll help train you to offer these treatments in your own practice. We welcome partnerships at every level.

Chip:
This is important work—and the education piece is huge.

Brianna:
Exactly. We want parents to demand better care. Many orthodontists still do extraction and retraction, pulling teeth and pushing everything back—shrinking the airway. That’s the opposite of what we want.

Chip:
So expansion is the goal—not contraction?

Brianna:
Correct. When we expand adults who had bicuspids removed, the body knows where the missing space should go. The expansion naturally recreates those gaps. It’s amazing to watch.

Chip:
You’ve sent me down a rabbit hole! I love it. There’s so much to explore—thank you so much for being here.

Brianna:
Thank you! It’s been a joy. And remember—go to Toothpillow.com and use code chip for a free screening. Let’s help our kids sleep better, breathe better, and grow strong.

Toothpillow currently treats children ages 3 to 12. Teen and adult programs are coming soon.

Go to Toothpillow.com , upload 6 photos of your child, and complete a short questionnaire. Use code “chip” for a free video assessment.

Look for:

• Mouth open while sleeping

• Snoring or noisy breathing

• No spacing between baby teeth

• Frequent ear infections

• Bedwetting after age 5

• Behavioral issues like hyperactivity

• Crowded teeth before age 7

A licensed provider will evaluate the photos and symptoms. If approved for virtual care, you'll receive a detailed video report and option to begin a 2-year program.

Not at all. The oral appliances are passive and used during sleep. Therapy includes gentle facial exercises and breathing support.

Yes, although it’s more complex due to bone fusion with age. Toothpillow can help refer adults to trusted airway-focused dentists.

Toothpillow focuses on expanding the jaw and supporting airway development—not extracting teeth or pulling everything back, which can worsen breathing issues.