In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Hilary Fritsch, DMD, an airway and biological dentist specializing in jaw development and non-surgical treatment of sleep and breathing disorders. We cover three audiences I care deeply about: parents of children showing signs of airway dysfunction, women in perimenopause who are exhausted and being missed by standard sleep testing, and adults who have been managing symptoms with a CPAP and want to know if there is a better path.
Dr. Fritsch explains how mouth breathing, tongue ties, and underdeveloped palates are silently driving ADHD, anxiety, autoimmune disease, and chronic fatigue. She also shares the recent Harvard research on CPAP risks for low-risk patients that genuinely surprised me and why myofunctional therapy alone can cut apnea in half.
I share my own journey and my daughter Elle's experience with palate expansion. This episode is packed with actionable information you will not want to miss.
What You Will Learn:
Why underdeveloped jaws and mouth breathing are a root cause of ADHD, anxiety, and chronic fatigue in children and adults
The specific signs of early airway dysfunction in infants and children — and why acting early changes everything
Why women are systematically underdiagnosed with sleep apnea and how perimenopause dramatically increases airway collapse risk
How non-surgical palate expansion works for adults — no jaw surgery required
Why myofunctional therapy is essential for lasting results and can reduce apnea severity by up to 50%
What recent Harvard research reveals about CPAP risks for low-risk patients and what to do instead
About Dr. Hilary Fritsch
Dr. Hilary Fritsch, DMD, is an airway and biological dentist with nearly two decades of clinical experience specializing in jaw development, tongue-tied infants, and the non-surgical treatment of sleep and breathing disorders. She is the founder of Saddle Peak Dental and Western Sleep Solutions in Bozeman, Montana, and she trained extensively under Dr. Kevin Golz, a pioneer in adult palate expansion with over 6,000 cases completed.
Resources and People Mentioned:
Vivos Palatal Expansion
Candid Clear Aligners
Smile Shapers
American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine
Why Biological Dentistry & O& Oral Health Hold the Keys to a Healthier You | Dr. Nunnally & Dr. Freeman
Connect with Dr. Myers:
Website: https://www.dramymyers.com/
Dr. Myers’ Inner Circle: https://www.drmyersinnercircle.com/founding-member
Newsletter: https://www.amymyersmd.com/pages/newsletter
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dramymyers
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dramymyers
Connect with Dr. Hilary Fritsch:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hilaryfritchdmd/
Website: https://saddlepeakdunnell.com/
Timestamps:
00:00 Modern Airway Crisis
00:53 Meet Dr Hilary Fitch
03:07 Host Personal Wake Up
05:54 Fitch Origin Story
08:10 Airway Training Maze
10:28 Newborn Jaw Foundations
11:55 Tongue Ties Explained
13:36 Breastfeeding Diet Habits
15:30 Kids Red Flags Checklist
17:57 Adult Symptoms Risks
22:55 Women Menopause UARS
29:16 Four Pillars Fixing Airway
30:15 Nose Palate Remodeling
30:56 Jaw Expansion TMJ Concerns
31:51 Adult Palate Expansion
32:46 Vivos vs Surgical MARPE
33:48 Tongue Space and Myo Therapy
34:22 Kids Expanders and Tooth Pillow
40:05 Compliance and Pain Fears
45:03 Mouth Tape Guidance
46:45 Adult Aligners and Brands
49:22 CPAP Risks and Biomarkers
56:22 Root Cause Wrap Up
