Mindful Dentistry with Dr. Alesia Bergan

06/01/2026

Deeper understanding of breastfeeding! Wonderful explanation 🙌

05/18/2026

Not at Mindful Dentistry - we dont 😃

05/18/2026

Did you know prolonged pacifier use may affect much more than just teeth?

Research has linked extended pacifier habits to:
• narrow upper jaws
• mouth breathing
• tongue posture issues
• crossbites and open bites
• altered facial growth

Why does this matter?

Because the way a child’s jaws develop directly affects their airway, sleep quality, and breathing patterns later in life.

One of the biggest findings in the research:
👉 Duration matters.

Occasional soothing during infancy is very different from all-day or prolonged toddler use.

The longer a pacifier stays in the mouth — especially beyond age 2 — the higher the risk for structural changes in the developing face and airway.

As airway-focused providers, we’re not here to shame parents. Parenting is hard. Pacifiers can absolutely serve a purpose. But Myomunchee is a much better choice for your little one!

Healthy facial growth depends on:
✔ nasal breathing
✔ proper tongue posture
✔ chewing development
✔ lips closed at rest

Small habits early in life can shape growth for years to come.

04/05/2026

This is the exact conversation I have with my patients daily!

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DWegxuYi_oX/?igsh=dGRsZHpla2cxdXV5

10/20/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1AeEvAeGWa/?mibextid=WC7FNe

09/12/2025

Many people assume baby teeth don’t matter because “they’ll fall out anyway,” but this is one of the biggest misconceptions in dentistry. Primary teeth act as natural placeholders, guiding the proper alignment and eruption of the permanent teeth growing underneath. If these teeth are neglected—whether due to untreated cavities, trauma, or early loss—the permanent teeth can erupt in the wrong position, leading to crowding, misalignment, or even impacted teeth.

The roots of baby teeth sit very close to the developing buds of adult teeth. When infection spreads through an untreated cavity, it can travel beyond the roots and directly affect the permanent teeth beneath. This may cause discoloration, enamel defects, or malformation in the incoming tooth. In severe cases, the infection can even damage the surrounding bone, making future eruptions more complicated.

Caring for baby teeth is therefore not only about preventing pain or infection in childhood, but also about protecting the future smile. Regular dental check-ups, timely treatment of cavities, and proper home care create a healthy environment for permanent teeth to grow strong and correctly positioned. What happens in the early years leaves a lasting imprint—healthy baby teeth are the foundation for a lifetime of oral health.

08/22/2025

Bruxism isn’t a bad habit — it’s often a survival response.
The jaw clenches. The body fights. The brain tries to stay alive.

This is sleep-disordered breathing.
And no, they won’t just grow out of it.

Snoring + teeth grinding = airway red flags.
Listen to them. Then act.

08/22/2025

Please do a take home sleep study if your child is not doing well mentally, emotionally, behaviorally. It’s simple to check! Reach out if you have questions!

Sleep is foundational for kids’ brains.
It’s not just about rest — it’s about development, memory, and emotional regulation.

Chronic sleep-disordered breathing doesn’t just make kids tired.
It can lower IQ, impair learning, and fuel anxiety, mood swings, and behavioural struggles.

This is not a small problem.
And it’s not one they’ll grow out of.
It’s one we need to catch — and treat — early.

04/24/2025

For those struggling with jaw pain- give it a try!

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DIcBUA2vOVN/?igsh=MWJtZTNxNnZhNXVzNQ==

04/20/2025

🧠 Why the Brain Plays a Bigger Role Than You Think

Your brain is constantly scanning the position of your jaw, teeth, tongue, and airway. If any of these structures are out of alignment — due to poor tongue posture, tongue tie, mouth breathing, or narrow dental arches — the trigeminal nerve picks up on this.

Over time, the nervous system may adapt poorly, locking the jaw into dysfunctional movement patterns and triggering chronic pain. TMJ issues are often not just mechanical — they are neurological as well!