Helping a Little One Breathe, Sleep, and Thrive

I have been a dental hygienist since 1998, but it was my own children who pulled me into the world of airway health.

All three of them struggled with issues I never learned about in school, so I went back for more education in myofunctional concepts and therapy. I became trained in orofacial myology in 2016, and when I started working with infants, I realized the root of many problems began at birth. That led me to earn my IBCLC so I could help families even earlier in life.

In my practice, Oral Function Specialties in Mokena, Illinois, I work with patients of all ages, but I have a special passion for early intervention. I offer myofunctional therapy, breathwork, lactation consultations, retained reflex therapy, and craniosacral fascial therapy. The goal is always the same—build a strong foundation so children don’t grow up facing the same airway and breathing challenges we so often see in adults.

One of my recent patients was a five-year-old boy who came in with mouth breathing, constant nasal congestion, restless sleep, and bedwetting. These symptoms had been going on for a while, and his mom was worried about how they might affect his growth and development.

We started with myofunctional therapy to strengthen his lips, cheeks, and tongue, and incorporated nasal hygiene and breathwork. Reflex therapy helped him improve gross motor skills, which we knew would set the stage for better fine motor skills later on. A month into therapy, I introduced the REMplenish Myo-Nozzle. His mom swapped out his regular water bottle for the REMplenish, and it quickly became part of his daily routine. We also used a Myo Munchee to encourage proper chewing and oral posture.

Over time, we saw major improvements. His ability to elevate the middle and back of his tongue increased, his mouth breathing decreased, and his mom noticed a drop in bedwetting episodes. The best news—he was back to nasal breathing. REMplenish played a big role in that progress. It’s such a great tool for “waking up” the posterior tongue and helping it find the right resting position.

For me, these wins are the heart of airway work. Seeing a child breathe better, sleep more soundly, and feel more comfortable in their own body is what keeps me motivated. I use REMplenish often in my practice, especially after a release procedure, to help patients target the back of the tongue. We always practice together in the office to make sure they are using it correctly.

Airway health is often overlooked, especially in the dental world, but it has a huge ripple effect on overall health. I want more providers to know that the earlier we identify and address these issues, the better the outcomes. One small change—like improving breathing or correcting an oral habit—can completely reshape a child’s health trajectory.

If there’s one takeaway from this story, it’s this: never underestimate the power of early intervention. For this little boy, a few targeted therapies and the right tools made all the difference. And for me, it’s another reminder that this work changes lives every single day.

About Joy Lantz

With nearly three decades in the dental field, Joy brings a unique combination of professional expertise and lived experience to the world of airway health. Her journey began when her own children faced struggles with feeding and sleep that weren’t covered in her training, pushing her to pursue advanced education in orofacial myology, lactation consulting, and airway-focused therapies. In her Illinois-based practice, Oral Function Specialties, she works closely with families to uncover oral and breathing challenges early, using tools like myofunctional therapy, breathwork, and lactation support. Joy believes that every child deserves the chance to build a strong foundation for lifelong health—and she’s committed to helping families make that a reality.