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The Airway Conversation Every Parent & Provider Needs to Hear
Episode 8 | The Pediatric Breathing Project | The Airway Conversation Every Parent And Provider Needs to Hear with Dr. David Alfi
In this powerful episode of The Pediatric Breathing Project, Dr. Piya Gandhi sits down with renowned oral and maxillofacial surgeon Dr. David Alfi for an honest conversation about pediatric airway health, jaw development, mouth breathing, expansion, tongue ties, sleep-disordered breathing, and why so many children are slipping through the cracks.
Together, they break down what healthy growth should actually look like in children, why crowded baby teeth are not “normal,” how modern lifestyle habits are impacting jaw development, and why early intervention matters more than most parents realize.
Dr. Piya also shares the deeply personal story that changed the trajectory of her career — her own daughter’s airway struggles — and how that journey led her into airway-focused pediatric dentistry. The episode also dives into the resistance many airway-focused providers still face, the lack of education in traditional training programs, and the growing movement toward collaborative, whole-body care.
Dr. Alfi additionally explains what happens when airway issues are missed into adulthood, including how modern airway-focused jaw surgery can dramatically improve sleep, breathing, health, and quality of life.
Whether you’re a parent, pediatric provider, dentist, orthodontist, speech therapist, IBCLC, or simply trying to better understand airway health, this episode is packed with practical insight and perspective.
In This Episode We Cover:
✔ Mouth breathing in babies and children
✔ Why crowded baby teeth are not normal
✔ Early childhood expansion and airway treatment
✔ Tongue ties, oral function and feeding
✔ The connection between jaw development and sleep
✔ Why airway issues are becoming more common
✔ Myofunctional therapy and muscle retraining
✔ The impact of modern diets and soft foods
✔ How airway problems continue into adulthood
✔ Airway-focused jaw surgery and adult treatment
✔ The resistance airway providers still face
✔ Why collaborative care matters
Connect with Dr. David Alfi
🌐 Website: https://www.drdavidalfi.com/
📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdavidalfi/
🎙️ The Alfi Podcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thealfipodcast/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thealfipodcast
Resources from Dr. Piya Gandhi
🌿 Free Airway Checklist + Provider Resources
https://drpiyagandhi.com/
📍 Find an Airway Provider Near You
https://drpiyagandhi.com/website_4530a186/#directory
🎙️ Explore More Episodes of The Pediatric Breathing Project
https://thepediatricbreathingproject.buzzsprout.com
About The Pediatric Breathing Project
Hosted by Dr. Piya Gandhi, this podcast explores how airway health, oral development, sleep, feeding, tongue ties, and early intervention impact childhood wellness and long-term health.
If you’re passionate about pediatric airway health, collaborative care, sleep-disordered breathing, and helping children thrive, subscribe and follow along.
#PediatricAirway #MouthBreathing #TongueTie #JawDevelopment #AirwayDentistry #SleepDisorderedBreathing #PediatricDentistry #MyofunctionalTherapy
________
The Pediatric Breathing Project with Dr. Piya Gandhi explores how airway health, jaw development, and sleep impact childhood wellness. Parents and practitioners will learn to spot early signs of sleep-disordered breathing and discover practical solutions for healthier futures.
If you’re a parent, dentist, pediatrician, or healthcare professional passionate about giving children the best start in life, this podcast is your guide to better breathing, better sleep, and better development.
Piya Trehan Gandhi, DDS
BOARD CERTIFIED PEDIATRIC DENTIST, AIRWAY AND TONGUE TIE RELEASE SPECIALIST
Instagram | TikTok | LinkedIn | YouTube | Website
Resources from Dr. Piya Gandhi:
- Free Airway Checklist + Provider Resources: https://drpiyagandhi.com/
- Find an Airway Provider Near You: https://drpiyagandhi.com/website_4530a186/#directory
View all episodes
By Dr. Piya Gandhi, DDSEpisode 8 | The Pediatric Breathing Project | The Airway Conversation Every Parent And Provider Needs to Hear with Dr. David Alfi
In this powerful episode of The Pediatric Breathing Project, Dr. Piya Gandhi sits down with renowned oral and maxillofacial surgeon Dr. David Alfi for an honest conversation about pediatric airway health, jaw development, mouth breathing, expansion, tongue ties, sleep-disordered breathing, and why so many children are slipping through the cracks.
Together, they break down what healthy growth should actually look like in children, why crowded baby teeth are not “normal,” how modern lifestyle habits are impacting jaw development, and why early intervention matters more than most parents realize.
Dr. Piya also shares the deeply personal story that changed the trajectory of her career — her own daughter’s airway struggles — and how that journey led her into airway-focused pediatric dentistry. The episode also dives into the resistance many airway-focused providers still face, the lack of education in traditional training programs, and the growing movement toward collaborative, whole-body care.
Dr. Alfi additionally explains what happens when airway issues are missed into adulthood, including how modern airway-focused jaw surgery can dramatically improve sleep, breathing, health, and quality of life.
Whether you’re a parent, pediatric provider, dentist, orthodontist, speech therapist, IBCLC, or simply trying to better understand airway health, this episode is packed with practical insight and perspective.
In This Episode We Cover:
✔ Mouth breathing in babies and children
✔ Why crowded baby teeth are not normal
✔ Early childhood expansion and airway treatment
✔ Tongue ties, oral function and feeding
✔ The connection between jaw development and sleep
✔ Why airway issues are becoming more common
✔ Myofunctional therapy and muscle retraining
✔ The impact of modern diets and soft foods
✔ How airway problems continue into adulthood
✔ Airway-focused jaw surgery and adult treatment
✔ The resistance airway providers still face
✔ Why collaborative care matters
Connect with Dr. David Alfi
🌐 Website: https://www.drdavidalfi.com/
📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdavidalfi/
🎙️ The Alfi Podcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thealfipodcast/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thealfipodcast
Resources from Dr. Piya Gandhi
🌿 Free Airway Checklist + Provider Resources
https://drpiyagandhi.com/
📍 Find an Airway Provider Near You
https://drpiyagandhi.com/website_4530a186/#directory
🎙️ Explore More Episodes of The Pediatric Breathing Project
https://thepediatricbreathingproject.buzzsprout.com
About The Pediatric Breathing Project
Hosted by Dr. Piya Gandhi, this podcast explores how airway health, oral development, sleep, feeding, tongue ties, and early intervention impact childhood wellness and long-term health.
If you’re passionate about pediatric airway health, collaborative care, sleep-disordered breathing, and helping children thrive, subscribe and follow along.
#PediatricAirway #MouthBreathing #TongueTie #JawDevelopment #AirwayDentistry #SleepDisorderedBreathing #PediatricDentistry #MyofunctionalTherapy
________
The Pediatric Breathing Project with Dr. Piya Gandhi explores how airway health, jaw development, and sleep impact childhood wellness. Parents and practitioners will learn to spot early signs of sleep-disordered breathing and discover practical solutions for healthier futures.
If you’re a parent, dentist, pediatrician, or healthcare professional passionate about giving children the best start in life, this podcast is your guide to better breathing, better sleep, and better development.
Piya Trehan Gandhi, DDS
BOARD CERTIFIED PEDIATRIC DENTIST, AIRWAY AND TONGUE TIE RELEASE SPECIALIST
Instagram | TikTok | LinkedIn | YouTube | Website
Resources from Dr. Piya Gandhi:
- Free Airway Checklist + Provider Resources: https://drpiyagandhi.com/
- Find an Airway Provider Near You: https://drpiyagandhi.com/website_4530a186/#directory