Why Chewing and Proper Breathing Matter for Toddlers with Oral Health Therapist and Orofacial Myofunctional Therapist Mel Van Schelven | Episode 106

Mouth breathing, soft diets, poor sleep, picky eating, and crowded teeth are often treated as separate issues. But many of them are connected through oral function and airway development in early childhood.

In this episode, I am talking to registered dental practitioner, oral health therapist, orofacial myofunctional therapist, and founder of The Face Place, Mel Van Schelven, about toddler oral function and why it matters far beyond teeth. We discuss mouth breathing, sleep quality, chewing, facial growth, picky eating, convenience feeding products, and the practical ways parents can support healthy oral development at home.

Mel and I talk about:

• Why the toddler years are a critical window for jaw and airway development
• How modern diets and ultra processed foods reduce chewing and impact oral development
• Why chewing is essential for jaw strength, tongue posture, swallowing, and airway health
• How pouches, smoothie bottles, sippy cups, and soft foods can prolong immature oral patterns
• The connection between mouth breathing, nervous system regulation, sleep quality, and behaviour
• Common signs of mouth breathing, including restless sleep, snoring, drooling, dark circles, and open mouth posture
• Why picky eating and soft food preferences are often linked to oral function challenges
• Simple ways parents can support oral development through food choices, chewing opportunities, and daily habits
• How oral function assessments can help identify challenges before they become bigger issues
  
  

Mel Van Schelven is a registered dental practitioner, oral health therapist, orofacial myofunctional therapist, and founder of The Face Place. She supports families in understanding how oral function, breathing, sleep, and airway health influence childhood development. Mel works with parents to identify early signs of dysfunction and provide practical strategies that support healthier oral and facial development in children.

Episode Links:

Say hi to Mel on Instagram 

Watch Mel’s masterclass Foundations for Growing Faces 

Grab one of Mel’s free guides 

Listen to The Face Place Podcast 

Work with Mel virtually 

Come say hi to me on Instagram

Books to Thrive in Motherhood: Dive into The Motherhood Reset, Nourished Mama, and Mama Let It Go to overcome burnout and become a healthy, energized mom. 

Picky Eating Guide: Learn about common but lesser-known reasons kids are picky eaters and practical strategies to help children enjoy healthy foods.

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Wild and Well with Dr Hilary Claire is a podcast dedicated to holistic health for moms, optimal health for women, postpartum recovery, and children’s wellness. We explore everything from gut health to pregnancy, functional health for women and postpartum wellness to nervous system regulation and motherhood burnout. Each episode offers practical tips for self-care for new moms, guidance on picky eating and parenting, and strategies to support your family’s natural kids’ health, so you can feel healthy, strong, and vital in motherhood while creating a foundation for lifelong wellness.