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 – Dr. Bennett’s clinical practice and patient-centered services

Connect on LinkedIn – 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.

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 – Dr. Bennett’s clinical practice and patient-centered services

Connect on LinkedIn – Join the movement for airway-first, total health dentistry

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 – Dr. Bennett’s clinical practice and patient-centered services

Connect on LinkedIn – 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