Ep.66, Super Breathers to the Rescue!, Kelley Richardson

🎙️ PODCAST DESCRIPTIONIn this heartfelt and deeply educational episode of the ASAP Pathway Podcast, Dr. Stacy sits down with Kelley Richardson, a longtime dental industry leader, airway advocate, and author of the children’s book The Very Stuffy Nose. What begins as a professional conversation quickly becomes a powerful personal story of motherhood, persistence, and the life-changing impact of understanding pediatric airway health. Kelley shares her son’s early struggles with feeding, mouth breathing, restless sleep, and learning challenges—and the six-year journey it took to finally uncover the root cause: disordered breathing and improper craniofacial development. Through this lived experience, Kelley found her calling in airway education, myofunctional therapy awareness, and collaborative care. Together, Dr. Stacy and Kelley explore:Why mouth breathing in children is so often missedHow sleep affects brain development, learning, and emotional regulationThe critical role of the tongue in facial growth and airwayWhy teachers, hygienists, dentists, ENTs, and physicians must work togetherAnd how early intervention can change a child’s entire life trajectoryThe episode closes with practical guidance for parents, inspiration for providers, and a reminder that awareness is the first step toward transformation.⏱️ EPISODE CHAPTERS 00:00 – Welcome to ASAP Pathway & Introducing Kelley RichardsonKelley’s background in dentistry, airway education, and her children’s book.05:10 – From Dental Sales to Airway AdvocacyKelley’s early career and transition into aligner therapy and occlusion.10:35 – Why the Tongue, Occlusion, and Airway Are InseparableHow improper tongue posture affects facial growth and breathing.15:40 – Kelley’s Son: Early Feeding Challenges & Missed Red FlagsLatching issues, reflux, gagging, and mouth breathing from infancy.22:10 – Restless Sleep, Night Sweats & Learning StrugglesClassic but often overlooked signs of pediatric sleep-disordered breathing.27:05 – The “Aha” Moment: Discovering Airway DentistryThe life-changing social media post that led Kelly to the right answers.32:40 – Breathing Retrainers, Expansion & Facial Growth TimingWhy nasal breathing alone isn’t enough—structure matters.38:15 – Why Deep Sleep (N3) Is Critical for Children’s DevelopmentGrowth hormone, glymphatic cleansing, memory consolidation, and learning.43:20 – The Teacher’s Perspective: Seeing the Change in the ClassroomHow better sleep transformed Kelly’s son’s behavior and focus.48:10 – The Role of Hygienists & Myofunctional TherapistsWhy hygienists are frontline airway detectors.52:30 – Why Teachers Must Be Part of the Airway ConversationConnecting education, behavior, and undiagnosed sleep disorders.58:40 – What Parents Should Look For at HomeDark circles, open-mouth posture, scalloped tongues, and facial patterns.1:04:00 – The Very Stuffy Nose: Education Through StorytellingHow Kelley’s book empowers families to recognize mouth breathing early.1:09:30 – Advice to Dentists, Orthodontists & Medical ProvidersWhy airway-minded diagnosis must expand beyond straight teeth.1:14:45 – Rapid-Fire Fun Questions & Closing ReflectionsPizza toppings, fears, name mix-ups, and heartfelt gratitude.🌟 KEY LEARNINGSMouth breathing is not benign.It is a red flag for airway obstruction, poor sleep quality, and altered facial growth.The tongue is a primary driver of facial development.When the tongue sits low, the palate narrows, the airway shrinks, and breathing suffers.Restless sleep is often the only visible symptom in children.Night sweats, movement, hyperactivity, and inattention may all trace back to poor sleep.Deep sleep (N3) is essential for growth, brain health, and learning.This is when growth hormone is released and the brain clears toxins.Teachers frequently observe sleep-related problems first.Yet they are rarely trained to recognize airway-based causes.Early expansion and orthopedic intervention can be life-changing.Timing matters — structural treatment is far more effective in childhood.Hygienists are key gatekeepers for airway awareness.They see patients more often than physicians and can identify early signs.Not all orthodontic treatment considers airway health.Straight teeth alone do not equal healthy breathing.Parents must trust their instincts.If a child “still doesn’t sleep right,” there is likely a deeper cause.Awareness changes everything.Once families understand airway health, they can seek the right help sooner.Superbreathers IGSuperbreathers FB PageKelley Richarson LinkedInGet your copy of The Stuffy Nose below!Super Breathers Website This is the ASAP Pathway Podcast, Airway, Sleep, and Pediatric Pathway, where sleep and airway health take center stage, one breath at a time. VISIT: ASAP PathwayPlease subscribe, share, and tune in to future episodes of how we can help children live their best lives, one breath, and restful night's...