When Primitive Reflexes Don’t Integrate: The Hidden Driver Behind Kids’ Breathing Issues, Clumsiness, and Big Feelings

In this episode of Your Mouth Matters, Dr. Rebecca Taylor sits down with functional neurologist Dr. David Lee to talk about primitive reflexes - automatic movement patterns that babies are born with to support their early survival and development. These reflexes are meant to integrate as the brain matures. When they don’t integrate completely, the nervous system can remain in a stress-based pattern that influences far more than movement.

Dr. Lee explains how retained primitive reflexes can show up in ways as varied as mouth breathing, clumsiness, poor posture, sensory overwhelm, emotional reactivity, chewing and speech challenges - even plateaus in orthodontic or myofunctional care. Dr. Lee also shares his developmental “pyramid” model, describing how reflexes and core stability form the foundation for balance, eye tracking, coordination, focus, and emotional regulation.

This conversation offers a broader understanding of why some children routinely struggle with breathing, attention, handwriting, posture, or big feelings - and why addressing neurological foundations can make meaningful, lasting change possible.

Learn more about...

• Dr. David Lee & Alight Functional Neurology: https://www.afncwa.com
• Dr. Taylor & Green City Dental: https://greencitydental.com
• O2dontics: https://o2dontics.com