Susan L. Royer, DDS

08/08/2026

Every breath your child takes sends a signal.

That signal helps determine how their nervous system responds throughout the day.

Most parents are never told this:

Nasal breathing and mouth breathing don't just deliver air differently. They activate different branches of the nervous system.

👃 Nasal breathing supports the parasympathetic nervous system.

This is the body's "rest and restore" state.

• Vagus nerve engaged
• Heart rate steadier
• Digestion supported
• Brain calmer and more focused
• Body ready for growth, learning, and connection

😮 Mouth breathing activates the sympathetic nervous system.

This is the body's "fight or flight" response.

• Stress hormones increase
• Heart rate rises
• Digestion slows
• Brain shifts into survival mode

When a child spends long periods in this state, their body can begin treating everyday life like a threat.

The meltdowns.
The constant alertness.
The difficulty with transitions.
The sensory sensitivities.
The emotional ups and downs that parenting strategies alone don't seem to solve.

This isn't simply behavior.

It's often a nervous system that hasn't had the chance to feel safe.

The good news?

When we improve breathing patterns by restoring nasal breathing, supporting proper tongue posture, and addressing airway function, the nervous system can begin to regulate differently.

As breathing changes, the body has the opportunity to shift back into a calmer, more regulated state where learning, growth, and connection become possible.

This is why airway health matters.

It doesn't just change how a child breathes.
It can change how they feel, function, and experience the world.

Growth doesn't wait. 💙

Comment CALM and I'll send you access to my free training on how airway health affects your child's nervous system, behavior, and regulation, and what myofunctional therapy can do to help.

07/18/2026

One rejection after another nearly ended her dream—but it ended up changing dentistry forever.

In the mid-1800s, dentistry was considered a profession only for men. When Lucy Beaman Hobbs applied to dental schools across the United States, she was repeatedly denied admission—not because she lacked ability, but simply because she was a woman.

Instead of giving up, Lucy persuaded a practicing dentist to train her privately. She studied tirelessly, gained practical experience, and began treating patients, proving that skill—not gender—defines a great dentist. Her success eventually challenged long-held beliefs and changed attitudes toward women in dentistry.

In 1866, the Ohio College of Dental Surgery admitted Lucy and awarded her a dental degree, making her the first woman in the world to earn a dental degree. Her historic achievement broke one of the strongest barriers in professional education and inspired more dental schools to open their doors to women.

Today, women make up a large and growing part of the dental profession around the world—a legacy that began with one woman who refused to let discrimination define her future.

History wasn't changed by permission. It was changed by persistence.

07/17/2026

It took 25 minutes to capture this single dental X-ray.

In 1896, German dentist Dr. Otto Walkhoff volunteered himself for an experiment that would change dentistry forever. With a small glass photographic plate placed inside his own mouth, he created what is widely recognized as the world's first dental radiograph—only months after X-rays were first discovered.

The exposure reportedly lasted about 25 minutes, making the procedure painful and far riskier than modern dental imaging. But when the image was developed, it demonstrated something revolutionary: for the first time, dentists could see beneath the surface of teeth and jawbone without performing surgery.

That historic breakthrough laid the foundation for modern dental diagnosis. Over the decades, dental X-rays became an essential tool for detecting hidden tooth decay, infections, impacted teeth, bone loss, cysts, fractures, and many other conditions long before they become visible or cause serious symptoms.

Today, digital dental X-rays are completed in fractions of a second using dramatically lower radiation doses, yet they all trace their origins to this remarkable experiment performed in 1896.

One courageous experiment changed the future of dentistry forever.

07/11/2026

06/06/2026

Correct Swallowing Supports Healthy Growth

Children swallow thousands of times every day. When the tongue rests on the roof of the mouth and functions properly during swallowing, it can help support healthy jaw development, dental alignment, and airway function.

Signs of an improper swallowing pattern may include tongue thrusting, mouth breathing, or excessive lip and chin movement when swallowing.

Small habits repeated thousands of times each day can have a big impact on a child's development. If you have concerns about your child's oral function, an evaluation may help identify underlying issues early.

05/29/2026

Yesterday was a bittersweet day for us!

After 12 1/2 years, Lorrie decided it was time to say goodbye to travel and spend more time with her family.

Although we’re happy for her, we’re still trying to figure out how we’re going to move forward without her! Coming to work will never quite feel the same.

We know you will all miss her too!

Lorrie, you better come back to visit us! We love you and wish you a happy retirement 💗

05/09/2026

Just a few months after the discovery of X-rays, German dentist Dr. Otto Walkhoff performed one of the most important experiments in dental history. Using a small glass photographic plate placed inside his own mouth, he captured what became the world’s first dental radiograph.

The exposure reportedly lasted around 25 minutes — an uncomfortable and risky process by today’s standards. But for the first time ever, a dentist could see inside teeth and bone without cutting into tissue.

That single image transformed dentistry forever. It opened the door to modern diagnostic imaging, allowing dentists to detect hidden decay, infections, bone loss, impacted teeth, and many other conditions that cannot be seen with the naked eye.

Today, dental X-rays take only fractions of a second. But modern dental imaging began with this historic moment in 1896.

04/24/2026

Susan Royer DDS