22: Our Family's Airway Health Journey: What We Wish We Knew Earlier
When Eliza was a child, sleep was never restful. Her tonsils were huge, her palate was narrow, and breathing through her nose felt like trying to sip air through a coffee straw. No one ever asked about her sleep. Doctors dismissed her symptoms. And so she quietly carried exhaustion, anxiety, and overwhelm into adulthood—thinking it was just normal. Until her husband, Dr. Clayton, began learning about airway health. In today's episode of Dentistry Disrupted, Eliza and Dr. Clayton get personal and share their family’s decades-long struggle. From Eliza’s own childhood struggles to their son’s early feeding difficulties, teeth grinding, and behavioral challenges—this episode uncovers the overlooked signs of sleep-disordered breathing and how addressing the root cause can change lives. Together, they discuss: The turning point that led Dr. Clayton to pursue airway education How a collaborative, functional approach helped their family heal Why airway issues are often dismissed by traditional providers How to recognize signs and get the right help for your child What their upcoming Holistic Airway Health for Families class will teach If you’ve ever been told “they’ll grow out of it,” this episode is your sign to keep asking questions. Please leave us a review, share the episode, and stay tuned for our upcoming live class. You’re not alone—and help is out there! Resources Join the Waitlist for the Holistic Airway Health for Families Class Here! Want more?! Follow us here! Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Airway Health Journey00:45 Eliza's Personal Experience with Airway Issues04:43 The Importance of Early Intervention05:30 Recognizing Signs in Children09:39 The Broader Impact of Airway Health11:12 Challenges in Diagnosis and Treatment12:54 Success Stories and Collaborative Approaches14:00 Holistic Airway Health Class19:19 Conclusion