Amanda and Heather introduce their Functional Roots podcast, focused on holistic, functional, and naturopathic connections between oral health and whole-body wellness, and interview Tricia Rogers, an ASHA-certified speech-language pathologist with nearly 30 years of experience specializing in oral facial myofunctional disorders.
Tricia explains myofunctional therapy as addressing habits and patterns that affect oral-facial muscle rest and function—impacting facial growth, nasal breathing, oral rest posture, chewing, swallowing, and speech—and describes how SLPs and registered dental hygienists can both practice in this space, with SLPs also treating speech clarity and swallowing disorders like dysphagia.
The conversation covers practical red flags and screening ideas for clinicians and parents (mouth breathing, where children chew, open-mouth chewing, dark circles, bedwetting, attention issues, and crowding in primary teeth), plus a simple strategy to train back-molar chewing using Haribo gummy bears and the functional importance of chewing.
Tricia distinguishes oral myofunctional swallowing issues from dysphagia related to neurological or motor conditions (e.g., Parkinson’s, stroke, cerebral palsy) and emphasizes appropriate referral for aspiration risk.
They discuss tongue ties (anterior, posterior/mid ties), lip ties (including lower ties), compensations that can mask restriction, and how tongue posture relates to speech clarity, open bites, and orthodontic relapse, stressing that structure and function must be treated together through interdisciplinary collaboration (orthodontics, ENTs/allergists, bodywork, chiropractors, and myofascial release).
Tricia shares how she uses child-friendly education through her children’s book series Ms. Tongue and Friends—titles including “Ms. Tongue Learns to Rest,” “The Lips Learn to Stay Together,” “Mr. Nose Learns to Breathe,” and “Ms. Tongue Learns to Dance” for lingual frenectomy prep/post support—suggesting books in dental offices and schools to build awareness, and provides a February discount code (Cupid10) and her website and social channels.
The episode closes with takeaways emphasizing collaboration, early intervention rather than “wait and see,” and Tricia’s current reading recommendation, the book “Behind the Smile” by Dr. Donny R. (Donny Rowl).00:00 Welcome to Functional Roots: Whole-Body Wellness Starts in the Mouth00:38 Meet Tricia Rogers, SLP: Why Myofunctional Therapy Matters04:46 Myofunctional Therapy 101: Oral Habits, Airway, and Nasal Breathing09:21 Chewing & Swallowing Red Flags: Back Molars, Mouth-Open Eating, and Training Tips15:30 Dysphagia vs. Myofunctional Swallowing Issues: When It’s a Safety Concern21:20 The ‘Aha’ Case: How Tongue Posture and Breathing Impact Speech Clarity24:11 Tongue Ties & Lip Ties Explained: Assessment, Compensations, and Airway Effects31:45 Myofascial Release + Team-Based Care: Fascia, Posture, and Collaboration38:10 How to Talk to Patients: Simple Screening Talking Points (Mouth Breathing, Chewing, Crowding)50:12 Allergies, Obstruction vs Habit, and the Mouth-Breathing Cycle (Halitosis, Tonsils, Stones)55:15 Tongue Thrust & Ortho Relapse: Why Braces Alone Don’t Fix Function55:46 Tongue Thrust & Braces Relapse: Why Open Bites Come Back57:34 Myofunctional Therapy 101: Resting Posture vs Swallowing Function59:28 Getting Your Practice On Board: Referrals, Airway Awareness & DSO Challenges01:01:55 Tongue Rest Posture Debates: Airway vs Speech Perspectives01:09:17 Ms. Tongue & Friends: Using Kids’ Books to Teach Oral Habits01:16:39 Airway, Decay & Myo Tools: Myo Munchie, Lip Seal, and Nasal Breathing01:19:04 Adult-Friendly Hacks: Ortho Elastic as a Tongue
