Episode 4: From Motherhood to Myofunctional Therapy - The Pediatric Breathing Project with Dr. Piya Gandhi

In this episode of The Pediatric Breathing Project, Dr. Piya Gandhi is joined by Catherine Kangas, orofacial myofunctional therapist, educator, and author of Your Tongue Has a Home. Catherine shares her powerful journey into myofunctional therapy—one that began as a mother searching for answers for her own children struggling with tongue ties, feeding challenges, and sleep-disordered breathing.

Together, Dr. Gandhi and Catherine explore how oral rest posture, tongue function, and airway health impact sleep, development, and overall wellness in both children and adults. This conversation highlights the importance of a holistic, team-based approach to airway care and why myofunctional therapy plays a critical role in long-term success.

Catherine also introduces her newly developed Oral Recovery Kit, designed to support healing and function after procedures such as expansion or frenectomy, and offers guidance on how parents and practitioners can find the right myofunctional therapist.

This episode is a must-listen for parents, dentists, pediatricians, therapists, and healthcare professionals who want a deeper understanding of airway health and collaborative care.

• 00:00 Introduction & Guest Welcome
• 00:41 Catherine’s Personal Journey into Myofunctional Therapy
• 01:32 Challenges & Early Discoveries
• 02:16 Transitioning into a Professional Role
• 03:04 What Is Myofunctional Therapy?
• 04:38 Treating Children vs. Adults
• 07:44 Goals & Importance of Therapy
• 10:06 Your Tongue Has a Home — The Story Behind the Book
• 11:45 Personal Experiences with Expansion Therapy
• 13:33 Advice for Practitioners & Parents
• 15:23 Introducing the Oral Recovery Kit
• 16:45 Kit Components & Use
• 17:51 Instructions & Recommendations
• 20:18 Finding the Right Myofunctional Therapist
• 23:13 The Importance of a Collaborative Team
• 24:47 Final Thoughts & Encouragement

Resources & Links

• Your Tongue Has a Home by Catherine Kangas
  • https://www.amazon.com/dp/1965341101
• Oral Recovery Kit
  • https://www.thewholisticfam.com/
• Follow Catherine Kangas:
  • https://www.instagram.com/integrative_myo/

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The Pediatric Breathing Project with Dr. Piya Gandhi explores how airway health, jaw development, and sleep impact childhood wellness. Parents and practitioners will learn to spot early signs of sleep-disordered breathing and discover practical solutions for healthier futures.

If you’re a parent, dentist, pediatrician, or healthcare professional passionate about giving children the best start in life, this podcast is your guide to better breathing, better sleep, and better development.

Piya Trehan Gandhi, DDS

BOARD CERTIFIED PEDIATRIC DENTIST, AIRWAY AND TONGUE TIE RELEASE SPECIALIST

Instagram | TikTok | LinkedIn | YouTube | Website

The Power of Teamwork in Treating Pediatric Airway Disorders

Join Dr. Piya Gandhi, a pediatric dentist, as she discusses the critical role of a collaborative team approach in treating pediatric airway disorders. Through the story of a 4-year-old patient, she illustrates the importance of involving various specialists like ENTs and myofunctional therapists to achieve optimal outcomes. Gandhi emphasizes the necessity of continuous learning, parental advocacy, and open communication among practitioners. She provides insights for parents on choosing the right providers who employ a holistic, team-based strategy for their child's airway and sleep health.

00:00 Introduction to Airway Disorders

00:38 Case Study: A 4-Year-Old's Journey

01:19 The Importance of a Team Approach

02:31 Collaborative Treatment Success

02:54 The Humbling Experience of Treating Airway Disorders

03:49 Choosing the Right Provider

04:55 Parental Involvement and Advocacy

05:11 Questions Parents Should Ask Providers

07:03 Conclusion: The Journey of Treating Pediatric Airway Disorders

________

The Pediatric Breathing Project with Dr. Piya Gandhi explores how airway health, jaw development, and sleep impact childhood wellness. Parents and practitioners will learn to spot early signs of sleep-disordered breathing and discover practical solutions for healthier futures.

If you’re a parent, dentist, pediatrician, or healthcare professional passionate about giving children the best start in life, this podcast is your guide to better breathing, better sleep, and better development.

Piya Trehan Gandhi, DDS

BOARD CERTIFIED PEDIATRIC DENTIST, AIRWAY AND TONGUE TIE RELEASE SPECIALIST

Instagram | TikTok | LinkedIn | YouTube | Website

Oral ties (tongue-ties and lip-ties) are one of the most debated topics in both the parenting and professional dental world.

Are they over-diagnosed? A trend? Or a critical piece of airway and functional health that we’ve been overlooking for far too long?

In this episode, Dr. Piya Gandhi shares her perspective as both a pediatric dentist and a mom. She breaks down the myths, explains why oral ties are not “new,” and outlines how they can affect feeding, speech, breathing, jaw growth, and overall development at every age.

You’ll learn:

• Why oral ties matter for infants, toddlers, children, and even adults
• How tongue-tie and lip-tie symptoms often go unnoticed (and why screening is inconsistent)
• The importance of function-first treatment: therapy ➝ procedure ➝ therapy
• Why “just clipping” isn’t enough for long-term results
• What parents should look for in a provider and evaluation process
• Resources for finding trusted airway-focused practitioners

Whether you’re a parent struggling with feeding challenges, a provider curious about functional dentistry, or someone who’s just now learning about airway health — this episode will leave you with the knowledge and confidence to advocate for the right care.

Resources Mentioned:

Airway Circle Provider Directory: https://airwaycircle.com

The Breathe Institute: https://www.breatheinstitute.com

________

The Pediatric Breathing Project with Dr. Piya Gandhi explores how airway health, jaw development, and sleep impact childhood wellness. Parents and practitioners will learn to spot early signs of sleep-disordered breathing and discover practical solutions for healthier futures.

If you’re a parent, dentist, pediatrician, or healthcare professional passionate about giving children the best start in life, this podcast is your guide to better breathing, better sleep, and better development.

Piya Trehan Gandhi, DDS

BOARD CERTIFIED PEDIATRIC DENTIST, AIRWAY AND TONGUE TIE RELEASE SPECIALIST

Instagram | TikTok | LinkedIn | YouTube | Website