Mind Your Mouth

Melissa Mugno
  • 5.0 (9)
  • Mental Health

Welcome to "Mind Your Mouth with Melissa Mugno," the podcast where we explore the vital connection between communication, wellness, and business development. Join Melissa as she delves into the power of words and the importance of mindful breathing, emphasizing how these elements can enhance not only our personal relationships but also our professional success.Each week, Melissa brings you engaging discussions that bridge the gap between effective communication and holistic wellness. From tips on improving conversational skills to understanding the role of breath in reducing stress and enhancing clarity, this podcast offers valuable insights for anyone looking to thrive in both their personal and professional lives.With a mix of expert interviews, actionable strategies, and thought-provoking topics, Melissa empowers you to harness the transformative power of your voice and breath. Whether you’re an entrepreneur seeking to elevate your business communication or an individual looking to cultivate a healthier mindset, "Mind Your Mouth" is here to support your journey.Tune in and discover how mindfulness in communication can lead to stronger connections and greater success. Let’s mind our mouths, breathe with intention, and unlock the potential within ourselves!

  1. Sep 24

    #31 - Doing Myofunctional Therapy for the Money? You'll Fail with Renata Nehme

    What if the reason you want to become a myofunctional therapist is the exact reason you'll fail? In Episode 31 of Mind Your Mouth, Melissa Mugno sits down in Miami with Renata Nehme, RDH, BSDH, COM®, OMS™, founder of Myo Moves and Airway Circle, for the podcast's first-ever in-person interview. Renata was the #1 most-requested guest in Melissa's audience poll, and this conversation shows why. Renata shares her journey from a 14-year-old leaving Brazil for the U.S. to a dental hygienist who found her calling in myofunctional therapy, then built a virtual practice that has treated 900+ patients across 42+ countries. She and Melissa get honest about faith, turning pain into purpose, handling online haters, and the money mindset that holds so many clinicians back. Then they have the conversation few people in the airway space want to have: where is myofunctional therapy going? Renata opens up about burnout and why she's changing how she practices, how AI and technology are reshaping care, why hygienists shouldn't leave their salaries chasing myo income, and why every hygienist AND dental assistant should be screening for airway. In this episode: - Why "doing myo for the money" is a recipe for failure - How Airway Circle started on Clubhouse, with Dr. Michael Gelb as its first speaker - Selling vs. serving, and money as an energy exchange - Creating levels of therapists to support airway dentists - Finding your niche and leveling up beyond one course - MM Inc.'s goal of AIR Certified, airway-centric practices by 2027 - Airway Circle's Foundations of OMT, Myo Circle, and the new OMS™ (Orofacial Myofunctional Specialist) credential Mentioned: Dr. Soroush Zaghi, Sarah Hornsby, Dr. Tom Colquitt, Dr. Michael Gelb, Dr. Bill Hang, Dr. Stanley Liu, IAOM Connect with Renata Nehme: Myo Moves (virtual myofunctional therapy): https://www.myo-moves.com Instagram: @myomoves Airway Circle (education + community for airway professionals): https://www.airwaycircle.com Instagram: @airwaycircle Connect With Melissa Mugno: Instagram: Melissa_the_mouth https://www.instagram.com/melissa_the_mouth?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== Facebook: Melissa The Mouth https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550676220515 Faceologymyo https://www.instagram.com/faceologymyo?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== Book a Myofunctional Consultation https://calendly.com/faceology/comprehensive-evaluation?month=2025-11 Melissamugno.com http://Melissamugno.com ashley@melissamugno.com If this episode helped you, please subscribe, like, and share it with someone who's building a myo career or feels alone in this work. #MyofunctionalTherapy #AirwayHealth #MindYourMouth #DentalHygienist #TongueTie #AirwayDentistry #OrofacialMyology #SleepDisorderedBreathing #MyoMoves #AirwayCircle

  2. Sep 11

    #30 - The UK Is 30 Years Behind on Airway: Dr. Suraj Vatish on Tongue Ties, Fascia & Tongue to Toes 2026

    Your body will protect the airway at all costs — and your teeth are just telling you the story of how it did it. 🎟️ TONGUE TO TOES 2026 — October 16–17, London. Spots are nearly gone → https://www.tongue-to-toes.com In this episode, Melissa Mugno sits down with her longtime friend and collaborator Dr. Suraj Vatish — London-based dental surgeon, tongue tie surgeon, and founder of the Tongue to Toes conference — for a conversation that ranges from infant aerophagia to fascia, Ayurveda, orthodontic dogma, and what it actually costs a clinician to practice outside the status quo. Suraj came into airway dentistry sideways. He was an implant dentist doing periodontal work when a colleague mentioned tongue ties, and courses with Dr. Richard Baxter and Dr. Soroush Zaghi opened a door he hasn't walked back through. Today he runs the tongue tie centre at Happy Kids Dental in London and is publishing real-world data on aerophagia — air swallowing — in infants after frenectomy. Melissa and Suraj get into why the UK still treats airway work like witchcraft, why "show me the research" is usually fear wearing a lab coat, and why structure is the side effect of dysfunction rather than the cause of it. They talk about Angle identifying the tongue as a driver of malocclusion in the 1800s and the profession quietly forgetting it. They talk about what happens to a clinician's livelihood when a regulator disagrees. And Melissa gets honest about her own son — the expansion she wishes she'd pushed for earlier, the MARPE coming at nine, and the fact that even with access to everyone in this field, there is no cookbook. In this episode: Why the body will sacrifice tongue position, jaw position and head posture to keep the airway openAerophagia in infants — what Suraj found across 300+ cases and why "it's not published yet" isn't the end of the conversationFascia: the layer dental school mentions once and never returns toCrowding and flared teeth as an oxygen adaptation, not a cosmetic accidentThe tongue-space problem in orthodontics done without a functional examWhat actually changed UK orthodontists' minds about early functional treatmentFear, regulators, and the real cost of being a disruptor in dentistryBreath as currency — and what it looks like when a body is running a deficitRed light therapy after tongue tie release: less pain, less inflammation, less reattachment 🎟️ TONGUE TO TOES 2026 October 16–17, 2026 · The Rembrandt Hotel, Knightsbridge, London A two-day multidisciplinary diagnostic programme built for the whole clinical team — dentists, paediatricians, speech and language therapists, lactation consultants, osteopaths, chiropractors and bodyworkers. Infancy through adulthood. In-person faculty: Dr. Suraj Vatish · Melissa Mugno · Dr. Jenna Davis DC · Toni-Ann Antoniato SLP · Dr. Justin Roche · Dr. Erick Galindo MD · Dr. Juancho de Quixano · Kate Roche IBCLC · Heidi Nowalany IBCLC · Katrina Rogers SLT · Amberin Fur DO Virtual faculty: Dr. Richard Baxter · Dr. Soroush Zaghi · Prof. Derek Mahony · Dr. Biju Krishnan · Dr. Neel Bulchandani DC · Dr. Stephanie Joy Sweeney · Jennifer Tow IBCLC · Heidi Skudder · Lucy Samantha Rayner https://www.tongue-to-toes.com Instagram: @tonguetotoes_london CONNECT WITH DR. SURAJ VATISH Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tongue.tie.specialist/ American Smile: https://www.americansmile.co.uk/dr-suraj-vatish/ Happy Kids Dental: https://happykidsdental.co.uk/the-lip-tongue-tie-team-2/ CONNECT WITH MELISSA MUGNO Instagram: Melissa_the_mouth Facebook: Melissa The Mouth Faceologymyo Book a Myofunctional Consultation Melissamugno.com ashley@melissamugno.com

    #30 - The UK Is 30 Years Behind on Airway: Dr. Suraj Vatish on Tongue Ties, Fascia & Tongue to Toes 2026

  3. Aug 31

    #29 - Myo Munchee: Why Chewing Is a Direct Hack to Your Brain Stem — Dr. Mary Bourke

    Mary explains the physiology most clinicians never learned: how chewing a Myo Munchee stimulates the trigeminal and facial nerves, fires a barrage of sensory input straight to the brain stem, and forces nasal breathing and a correct swallow at the same time. Melissa shares how the device became her single best diagnostic — the thing she could put in a patient's mouth to make dysfunction visible to a parent in under a minute. They go deep on why dentists struggle with myofunctional therapy (compliance, compliance, compliance), what an overactive gag reflex is actually telling you, and why "two is too late" led Mary to develop the Bebe Munchee. Plus a first look at Handbook for the Human, Mary's new evidence-based parent resource built around sleep, movement, nutrition, play, and connection — and an early teaser from the Myo Munchee research study Melissa project-managed alongside Dr. Kevin Boyd. If you've ever wondered how to actually use a Munchee, why chewing gum isn't the same thing, or what Munchee certification means now that the whole education pathway has been rebuilt — this is the episode. In this episode: The 1950s jawbone that started it all, and why the prongs existHow Myobrace was born — and what got lost when chewing was removedWhy an overactive gag reflex is information, not a dead end"Date your breath" — Melissa's first-two-weeks protocolSharon Moore's 26 muscles: your daytime swallow is your nighttime airwayThe Bebe Munchee, and why it's clinician-onlyPractitioner Protocols vs. Oral Motor Foundations vs. the Dental Discovery Program

    #29 - Myo Munchee: Why Chewing Is a Direct Hack to Your Brain Stem — Dr. Mary Bourke

  4. Aug 10

    #28 - Beyond the Tongue: Nervous System Regulation, Myofunctional Therapy & Building a Practice | Brittny Sciarra Murphy, RDH, COM®

    What if your patient isn't "non-compliant"—what if their nervous system simply isn't ready to learn? In Episode 28 of Mind Your Mouth, Melissa Mugno sits down with Brittny Sciarra Murphy, RDH, COM®, QOM®, Buteyko Educator, founder of CT Oral Facial Myology, co-owner of MyoWare, and faculty with Airway Health Solutions. Together they explore why myofunctional therapy isn't just about the tongue. They discuss nervous system regulation, motor learning, breathing patterns, airway health, patient compliance, practice growth, collaboration, and where the future of oral facial myology is headed. Topics include: Why nervous system regulation impacts therapy successFunctional breathing vs. nasal breathing (Buteyko)Motor learning and neuroplasticity in myofunctional therapyAirway dentistry and interdisciplinary careTongue ties, oral posture, lips, jaw, and the oral containerManaging dysregulated patientsBuilding a successful myofunctional therapy practiceProvider collaboration and overcoming skepticismIAOM certification and the future of oral facial myologyAI, social media, and growing a modern healthcare practiceWhether you're a myofunctional therapist, dental hygienist, dentist, orthodontist, SLP, OT, PT, airway provider, or parent, this conversation offers practical insights into improving patient outcomes through a whole-body approach. 🎧 Subscribe to Mind Your Mouth for conversations on airway health, myofunctional therapy, breathing, sleep, oral function, and practice growth. Guest: Brittny Sciarra Murphy, RDH, COM®, QOM®, Buteyko Educator CT Oral Facial Myology | MyoWare | Airway Health Solutions Keywords: myofunctional therapy, oral facial myology, airway dentistry, airway health, nervous system regulation, Buteyko breathing, functional breathing, tongue tie, oral posture, motor learning, neuroplasticity, dental hygienist, airway orthodontics, IAOM, breathing exercises, sleep-disordered breathing, pediatric airway, myofunctional therapist, dental practice growth, healthcare entrepreneurship. Connect With Melissa Mugno: Instagram: Melissa_the_mouth Facebook: Melissa The Mouth Faceologymyo Book a Myofunctional Consultation ashley@melissamugno.com Connect With Brittny Murphy CTOM: https://www.ctorofacialmyology.com/ School of Myo: https://airwayhealthsolutions.com/myo-new Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ct_orofacial_myology/

    #28 - Beyond the Tongue: Nervous System Regulation, Myofunctional Therapy & Building a Practice | Brittny Sciarra Murphy, RDH, COM®

  5. Jul 15

    #27 - The Fifth Vital Sign: Nasal Resistance & the Gut-Nose Axis w/ Dr. Karen Parker Davidson

    Sleep-disordered breathing makes Melissa bananas — and by the end of this episode, you'll understand why. Melissa sits down with Dr. Karen Parker Davidson, a critical care nurse, Air Force flight nurse, and airway researcher turned founder of Faceology, to reframe everything you think you know about "mouth breathing." Karen breaks down four-phase rhinomanometry, why nasal resistance is your body's fingerprint, and how she built the Daphne AI score after five and a half years of research and 754 papers reviewed. They get into the FDA-approved vs. FDA-cleared distinction most of the airway space gets wrong, why "are you a mouth breather?" is the wrong question, the gut-nose axis, why tongue ties aren't the villain everyone made them out to be after 2016, and how nervous system regulation, trauma, and fight-or-flight physiology tie directly back to how — and how well — we breathe. If you're a myofunctional therapist, dentist, ENT, or parent trying to figure out whether your kid's mouth breathing is a red flag or a phase, this conversation will help you.  In this episode: -Dr. Karen's path from trauma nurse to Air Force flight nurse to airway researcher -FDA-approved vs. FDA-cleared — and why the difference matters for every airway product on the market -Four-phase rhinomanometry, nasal resistance as a biomarker, and why ChatGPT's "normal values" are wrong -The MAVRIC nasal exam and the F.A.C.T. method for screening -Why breathing is a scale, not a yes/no question -Red flags parents can watch for: teeth spacing, columella position, percentage of time mouth is open -The gut-nose axis and the smell-vs-taste connection to picky eating -ADHD, over-diagnosis, and why airway isn't always the answer -Tongue ties, "crazy tongue," and the nasal valve phenomenon -Where to find Dr. Karen and Faceology's virtual care across 44 states Connect with Dr. Karen Parker Davidson: Website: drkpd.com | Brand: Faceology Connect with Melissa "The Mouth" Mugno: Mind Your Mouth Podcast | MM Inc.

    #27 - The Fifth Vital Sign: Nasal Resistance & the Gut-Nose Axis w/ Dr. Karen Parker Davidson

  6. Jul 9

    #26 - Dr. Michael Gelb on Airway, Sleep & the 1924 Mistake That Shaped Modern Dentistry

    Some names in dentistry are simply iconic. Gelb is one of them. In this episode of Mind Your Mouth, Melissa Mugno sits down with Dr. Michael Gelb — internationally recognized authority on TMJ, airway, and sleep, and son of the legendary Dr. Harold Gelb, the man who treated jaw dysfunction as whole-body medicine decades before the field was ready to listen. Fresh off the PAANY conference in New York, Melissa and Dr. Gelb go deep on the story most patients never hear: how dentistry quietly shoved the jaw backward starting in 1924, why 80% of airway and sleep issues still go undiagnosed, and how the same dysfunction behind a clicking jaw can show up as anxiety, ADHD, exhaustion, and poor sleep. This is a masterclass in why the airway movement matters — told through the lens of two generations of jaw work and one very personal journey. In this conversation: The Harold Gelb legacy — and what it cost to be 50 years ahead of your timeThe 1924 origin of "centric relation" and why most night guards may be closing your airwayWhy TMJ is rarely the problem — it's the symptomThe orthodontic "guild" and the new generation finally calling out their ownWhy early intervention beats waiting — and why it's never too lateThe ADHD–sleep connection, and the screening that should happen before a stimulant prescriptionDr. Gelb's full treatment ladder: from mandibular advancement and myofunctional therapy to MARPE, GLP-1s, and brain-health optimizationFaceology's family rule: why they won't treat a child unless the parent becomes a patient tooBrain health, mental health, and the case for living "heart-first"Whether you're a clinician, a myofunctional therapist, or a parent who just has a feeling something's being missed — this one will change how you see the mouth.🎙️ Mind Your Mouth — where the mouth meets the whole body.  Subscribe, share, and tag someone who needs to hear this. This episode is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Connect with Dr. Michael Gelb: Instagram: Thegelbcenter The Gelb Center Drmichaelgelb.com Connect With Melissa Mugno: Instagram: Melissa_the_mouth Facebook: Melissa The Mouth Faceologymyo Book a Myofunctional Consultation ashley@melissamugno.com #MindYourMouth #DrMichaelGelb #AirwayHealth #TMJ #SleepApnea #MyofunctionalTherapy #AirwayDentistry #SleepDisorderedBreathing #Faceology #BreatheBitch

    #26 - Dr. Michael Gelb on Airway, Sleep & the 1924 Mistake That Shaped Modern Dentistry

  7. Jun 25

    #25 - Your Tongue Is Your Core: The Hidden Link Between Posture, Breathing & Beauty

    In this solo episode, Melissa Mugno breaks down why your tongue is just like your abs — and how a weak or "flabby" tongue creates a domino effect through your posture, breathing, jawline, and even your facial aesthetics. She explores facial screening, central nervous system regulation, low tongue posture, mouth breathing, and why myofunctional therapy is the missing piece in long-term orthodontic stability. Melissa also opens up about her own journey with tongue tie, anxiety, breathing patterns, and body dysmorphia — connecting the dots between structure, function, and behavior. If you're dealing with snoring, poor sleep, jaw tension, clenching, or just want a more sculpted jawline the right way, this episode is your roadmap. Don't just fix a problem — do the work. You're worth it. 🎙️ Hosted by Melissa Mugno | Mind Your Mouth Podcast  📍 Recorded live in Miami #MyofunctionalTherapy #AirwayHealth #TonguePosture #MindYourMouth #SleepBetter #JawlineSecrets #BreatheRight #OralHealth #PostureMatters #DentalPodcast #FaceologyMethod #SnatchedJawline #OrthodonticsAndMyo #HolisticHealth #PodcastForWomen Connect With Melissa Mugno: Instagram: Melissa_the_mouth Facebook: Melissa The Mouth Faceologymyo Book a Myofunctional Consultation ashley@melissamugno.com

    #25 - Your Tongue Is Your Core: The Hidden Link Between Posture, Breathing & Beauty

  8. Jun 15

    #24 - Beauty Is Breathing: The Airway-Aesthetics Connection with Dr. Stanley Liu

    What if the way your face looks is actually a window into how well you breathe? In this episode of Mind Your Mouth, host Melissa Mugno sits down with the esteemed Dr. Stanley Liu, dentist, physician, oral maxillofacial surgeon, and ENT sleep surgeon for one of the most expansive, eye-opening conversations yet at the intersection of airway health, facial aesthetics, and whole-body wellness. Dr. Liu breaks down why the airway is fundamentally a muscle problem, why beautiful facial structure and optimal function are two sides of the same coin, and why the future of healthcare lies in uniting cosmetic providers, airway surgeons, and myofunctional therapists in the same room. From jaw expansion and TMJ to Botox, facial mapping, and smile design, this episode connects the dots between what you see in the mirror and how you sleep, breathe, and feel every single day. If you've ever wondered why your face looks asymmetrical, why you contour differently on one side, or why "looking good" and "functioning well" aren't separate goals, this conversation is for you. Connect With Melissa Mugno: Instagram: Melissa_the_mouth Facebook: Melissa The Mouth Faceologymyo Book a Myofunctional Consultation ashley@melissamugno.com Connect with Dr. Stanley Liu https://www.drstanleyliu.com/ Instagram: Dr.StanleyLiu

    #24 - Beauty Is Breathing: The Airway-Aesthetics Connection with Dr. Stanley Liu
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

Welcome to "Mind Your Mouth with Melissa Mugno," the podcast where we explore the vital connection between communication, wellness, and business development. Join Melissa as she delves into the power of words and the importance of mindful breathing, emphasizing how these elements can enhance not only our personal relationships but also our professional success.Each week, Melissa brings you engaging discussions that bridge the gap between effective communication and holistic wellness. From tips on improving conversational skills to understanding the role of breath in reducing stress and enhancing clarity, this podcast offers valuable insights for anyone looking to thrive in both their personal and professional lives.With a mix of expert interviews, actionable strategies, and thought-provoking topics, Melissa empowers you to harness the transformative power of your voice and breath. Whether you’re an entrepreneur seeking to elevate your business communication or an individual looking to cultivate a healthier mindset, "Mind Your Mouth" is here to support your journey.Tune in and discover how mindfulness in communication can lead to stronger connections and greater success. Let’s mind our mouths, breathe with intention, and unlock the potential within ourselves!

Information

  • Creator
    Melissa Mugno
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    33
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Mind Your Mouth
  • Show Website
    Mind Your Mouth

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