Podcast
The Healthy Mouth Movement Podcast
Hosted by Sheree Wertz · EN
I help parents and caregivers of children with special needs sort through all the conflicting information out there, making it easier to free up time to create fun family focused oral health habits with simple tips, tricks and bright ideas to reduce cavities and design a healthy mouth routine that has your kids begging you to brush let them brush their teeth. Understanding how oral health is connected to overall health will help reduce disease, save time, money and heartache.
32episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Why Your Tongue Deserves More Respect
3d ago00:26:07Tap to summarizeWhat if one of the most overlooked muscles in your body has been quietly shaping your posture, breathing, sleep, jaw tension, nervous system—and maybe even the way your face develops? In this episode, I’m asking you to stop for one second and notice something most people never think about: where is your tongue resting right now? It sounds simple, but once I started going down this rabbit hole, I realized it changes how we think about health in a much bigger way. I’m unpacking the surprising role tongue posture plays in airway health, mouth breathing, sleep, headaches, TMJ, nervous system regulation, and even childhood development. We’ll connect the dots between symptoms that often feel unrelated and explore why this “small muscle” may deserve a lot more respect than it gets. If you’ve ever dealt with fatigue, jaw clenching, poor sleep, crowded teeth, chronic congestion—or you’re raising kids and wondering what’s really upstream of behavior and development—this conversation is going to make you think differently. If this episode gave you a new perspective, I’d love for you to rate, follow, review, and share the podcast with someone who might need to hear this conversation—especially someone dealing with snoring, jaw tension, mouth breathing, or sleep struggles. Thanks for listening, and I’ll see you in the next episode. Check out The Mind Mouth Body SHIFT Method -- https://shereewertz.com/academy Book a consultation today: I am always here to help answer any question and schedule a 15 minute call with me. If I can not help, I can get you to a provider that can. https://shereewertz.com/15-min
Transcribe →You’re Not Alone: Trusting Your Instincts When Something Feels Off
1w ago00:14:54Tap to summarizeHave you ever stood in the doorway watching your child sleep and felt in your gut that something just wasn’t right? In this episode, I’m talking about the quiet instinct so many parents carry — the one that whispers there’s more to the story when it comes to sleep, breathing, oral health, behavior, and overall wellness. Together, we’ll unpack why so many parents feel dismissed, overwhelmed by conflicting information, and unsure who or what to trust. I’m sharing how I’ve learned to filter through the noise, what I look for when finding providers who truly see the bigger picture, and why your observations as a parent matter more than you think. We’ll explore practical ways to advocate for your child, ask better questions, and reconnect with the instincts that were there all along — because you are not alone in this journey. Check out The Mind Mouth Body SHIFT Method -- https://shereewertz.com/academy Book a consultation today: I am always here to help answer any question and schedule a 15 minute call with me. If I can not help, I can get you to a provider that can. https://shereewertz.com/15-min
Transcribe →Your Body Is Always Talking to You—But Are You Listening?
2w ago00:29:31Tap to summarizeThis week, I’m sharing something deeply personal—because sometimes the hardest lessons are the ones we have to live through ourselves. For years, I’ve taught the connection between the mind, mouth, and body, helping others understand how breathing impacts health. But when my own body started whispering that something was wrong, I didn’t listen… until it started screaming. In this episode, I open up about my recent cancer diagnosis, the subtle symptoms I ignored, and the wake-up call that forced me to rethink everything I thought I knew about health, healing, and body awareness. We’re talking about mouth breathing, nervous system regulation, chronic illness, parenting intuition, and why “common” does not always mean “normal.” If you’ve ever felt like something in your body—or your child’s body—just didn’t seem right, this conversation is for you. Episode Highlights -Why I ignored the subtle warning signs my body had been giving me for months—and what finally forced me to seek help -The shocking moment I learned fluid buildup from cancer was affecting my ability to breathe -How my personal health journey reshaped the way I think about mouth breathing, airway health, and chronic illness -What my daughter’s childhood struggles taught me about sleep, nervous system dysregulation, and overlooked symptoms in children -The surprising ways mouth breathing may affect overall health, development, pregnancy, and family patterns -Why trusting your instincts as a parent matters more than you think -The difference between asking, “Is this normal?” versus “Is this optimal?” when advocating for yourself or your child -What I’ve learned after decades in dentistry, myofunctional therapy, motherhood, and navigating my own healing journey If this episode resonated with you, please take a moment to follow, rate, review, and share the podcast with someone who may need to hear this message. Your support helps more people connect the dots between breathing, health, and healing—and it truly means the world to me. Check out The Mind Mouth Body SHIFT Method -- https://shereewertz.com/academy Book a consultation today: I am always here to help answer any question and schedule a 15 minute call with me. If I can not help, I can get you to a provider that can. https://shereewertz.com/15-min
Transcribe →How Mouth Breathing Shaped My Health (And What I Wish I Knew Sooner)
3w ago00:29:26Tap to summarizeThis episode hits close to home for me. In honor of Mouth Breathing Awareness Month, I’m opening up about my own journey—from being a chronically sick kid to navigating chronic illness as an adult—and how something as simple (and overlooked) as the way I breathed may have shaped everything. I share the patterns I experienced growing up—nosebleeds, poor sleep, crowded teeth—and the surprising connections I’ve come to understand years later. We dive into the bigger picture of mouth breathing: how it impacts development, sleep, the nervous system, and even long-term health. I also explore why so many of us were treated for symptoms instead of root causes, and what we can start doing differently today—especially for our kids. If you’ve ever struggled with fatigue, jaw pain, poor sleep, or unexplained health issues, this episode will get you thinking in a whole new way. If this episode resonated with you or gave you a new perspective, I’d love for you to share it with someone who needs to hear it. Don’t forget to follow, rate, and leave a review—it really helps spread this message and grow the Healthy Mouth Movement. Check out The Mind Mouth Body SHIFT Method -- https://shereewertz.com/academy Book a consultation today: I am always here to help answer any question and schedule a 15 minute call with me. If I can not help, I can get you to a provider that can. https://shereewertz.com/15-min
Transcribe →They Don’t Grow Out of It: The Hidden Signs of Mouth Breathing in Kids
May 400:23:33Tap to summarizeThis episode kicks off Mouth Breathing Awareness Month, and I’m diving into something that completely changed how I see my child’s health—and my own. I share a deeply personal story about the signs I missed, the patterns I didn’t recognize, and the moment everything finally clicked. If you’ve ever been told “they’ll grow out of it,” this conversation might challenge everything you thought you knew. We’re talking about the subtle, everyday signs that don’t seem like a big deal—open-mouth posture, restless sleep, picky eating, bedwetting—and how they could all point to something much bigger: airway dysfunction. I’ll walk you through what to look for, why it matters, and how awareness can be the first step toward changing your child’s health trajectory. If this episode made you pause and look at your child a little differently, share it with another parent who needs to hear this. And if you found it helpful, don’t forget to follow, rate, and leave a review—it helps more families discover this life-changing information. Check out The Mind Mouth Body SHIFT Method -- https://shereewertz.com/academy Book a consultation today: I am always here to help answer any question and schedule a 15 minute call with me. If I can not help, I can get you to a provider that can. https://shereewertz.com/15-min
Transcribe →Warning Signs in Your Child’s Mouth Every Parent Should Know
Apr 2700:20:03Tap to summarizeIn this episode, I dive into something every parent needs to hear—but many don’t realize until it’s too late: the subtle (and not-so-subtle) signs in your child’s mouth that should never be ignored. We often assume everything is fine unless there’s pain or a visible issue, but the truth is, many important clues about your child’s health are hiding in plain sight. I walk you through what I look for during exams and why early awareness can make all the difference. We also talk about common things that may seem “normal” but could actually signal deeper concerns—from tongue mobility and mouth breathing to tonsil size and oral development. If you’ve ever wondered what’s really going on inside your child’s mouth—or if you should be looking more closely—this episode will open your eyes and give you the confidence to know what matters. If you found this episode helpful, make sure to follow the podcast, leave a rating and review, and share it with another parent who needs to hear this. Your support helps us reach more families and keep these important conversations going! Check out The Mind Mouth Body SHIFT Method -- https://shereewertz.com/academy Book a consultation today: I am always here to help answer any question and schedule a 15 minute call with me. If I can not help, I can get you to a provider that can. https://shereewertz.com/15-min
Transcribe →Vaping, HPV, and Oral Cancer Awareness
Apr 2000:19:31Tap to summarizeIn this episode, I’m diving into a topic that’s not getting nearly enough attention—especially when it comes to our kids: the connection between vaping, HPV, and oral cancer. April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month, and I wanted to have a real, honest conversation about how the risk factors are changing, why younger populations are now being affected, and what that means for us as parents. This isn’t about fear—it’s about awareness and understanding what’s actually happening inside the mouth. I also share personal experiences, both as a dental hygienist and a mom, and break down what vaping is really doing to the oral environment, how HPV plays a role, and why things like mouth breathing and dryness matter more than we think. We’ll talk about what to look for, how to catch things early, and how to approach these conversations with your teens in a way that actually keeps them open and listening. Links & Resources Suvia Mouth Rinse (alcohol-free, safe for daily use): www.mouthwash.com A little awareness now can make a big difference later. If this episode helped you think differently or gave you something valuable to take away, please share it with another parent. Don’t forget to follow, rate, and leave a review—it helps us reach more families and continue spreading this important message. Check out The Mind Mouth Body SHIFT Method -- https://shereewertz.com/academy Book a consultation today: I am always here to help answer any question and schedule a 15 minute call with me. If I can not help, I can get you to a provider that can. https://shereewertz.com/15-min
Transcribe →Reiki Explained: Unlocking Energy, Healing, and Inner Balance with Dr. Le
Apr 1300:37:31Tap to summarizeIn this episode, I sit down with Dr. Le, a former pediatric dentist turned Reiki master, to explore her powerful journey from traditional dentistry into the world of energy healing. We dive into what Reiki actually is, how it works, and why it’s becoming such a transformative tool for emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being. If you’ve ever been curious about energy work—or skeptical—this conversation will open your mind in the best way. We also talk about how Reiki can help you reconnect with yourself, shift your mindset, and create a more balanced, joyful life. From parenting and self-care to breaking free from limiting beliefs, this episode is packed with insights that will make you rethink how much control you really have over your energy—and your reality. About the Guest Dr. Le comes from a scientific background; she practiced pediatric dentistry for over 20 years. In 2014, she was introduced to Reiki through the San Fernando Valley Dental Society. Captivated by its soothing effects, she pursued advanced Reiki training, receiving her Reiki Master certification in 2015. Ever since, Khanh has continued to delve into the wondrous world of Reiki. Having witnessed the profound benefits of Reiki firsthand, she is moved to share this Grace with others. Website: https://www.reikibright.net/ Check out The Mind Mouth Body SHIFT Method -- https://shereewertz.com/academy Book a consultation today: I am always here to help answer any question and schedule a 15 minute call with me. If I can not help, I can get you to a provider that can. https://shereewertz.com/15-min
Transcribe →Picky Eating Isn’t What You Think: What Your Child Is Really Telling You
Apr 600:18:24Tap to summarizeToday I’m diving into something so many of us have experienced as moms—picky eating—but I’m challenging the idea that it’s just picky eating. What if your child’s food preferences aren’t about attitude or stubbornness, but actually clues to something deeper going on? In this episode, I unpack what could really be behind the gagging, food refusal, and texture sensitivities—and why we need to stop brushing it off as “just a phase.” I’m sharing a completely different lens to look through—one that connects eating to breathing, oral function, and your child’s nervous system. We’ll talk about the signs most people miss, how early these patterns can start, and simple ways you can begin observing and supporting your child at home. If you’ve ever felt frustrated at mealtime or wondered why your child struggles with food, this episode will open your eyes in a powerful way. Check out The Mind Mouth Body SHIFT Method -- https://shereewertz.com/academy Book a consultation today: I am always here to help answer any question and schedule a 15 minute call with me. If I can not help, I can get you to a provider that can. https://shereewertz.com/15-min
Transcribe →The Hidden Habits That Are Changing Your Child’s Mouth
Mar 3000:15:24Tap to summarizeHave you ever wondered why your child constantly has something in their mouth—chewing on shirts, sucking their thumb, or always breathing with their mouth open? In this episode, I’m diving into the hidden habits that most people dismiss as “just a phase”… but are actually powerful signals about your child’s development. Drawing from my 30 years as a dental hygienist—and my own experience as a mom—I share what I wish I had known sooner about how these behaviors are connected to breathing, tongue function, and the nervous system. We’ll explore what these habits are really trying to tell you, how they can shape your child’s jaw, airway, and sleep, and why simply telling your child to “stop” might be missing the bigger picture. If you’ve ever felt like something is off but couldn’t quite explain it, this episode will help you start seeing these patterns through a completely different lens. Check out The Mind Mouth Body SHIFT Method -- https://shereewertz.com/academy Book a consultation today: I am always here to help answer any question and schedule a 15 minute call with me. If I can not help, I can get you to a provider that can. https://shereewertz.com/15-min
Transcribe →