The Face Place

The Face Place The Face Place focuses on early intervention for children’s dental health and oral function.

Here, you’ll find care that connects the dots between your child’s mouth, body, and wellbeing.

Do you know the day time signs and symptoms of sleep and breathing disorders in children?There are so many signs and sym...
02/04/2026

Do you know the day time signs and symptoms of sleep and breathing disorders in children?

There are so many signs and symptoms linked to sleep and breathing difficulties in children, far more than most parents are aware of.

Some can be seen during the day. Others show up at night.

When I first started working in children’s sleep and breathing, I realised there was plenty of information to share with parents, but no simple tool to bring it all together.

And because I do love an acronym… I made one.

The FACES Signs are a simple awareness tool to help parents notice some of the common daytime signs and symptoms linked to sleep and breathing difficulties.

FACES stands for:

F – Facial Growth
A – Audible Breathing
C – Crowded Teeth
E – Ear, Nose and Throat
S – Sleepy or Hyperactive

If you’ve noticed some of these signs in your child and you’re wondering what might be going on underneath it, that’s exactly the kind of thing I help parents explore in consultation.

✨ Telehealth appointments are open Australia-wide.
If you’ve been noticing these patterns and want some answers, I’d love to help.

https://www.thefaceplaceofm.com.au/online-oral-health-services

Mel 🦷✨

A question I get asked a lot:“When should I start looking into mouth breathing or an open-mouth posture in my child?”My ...
01/04/2026

A question I get asked a lot:

“When should I start looking into mouth breathing or an open-mouth posture in my child?”

My answer? Always. Because in my work, it’s never something I’d ignore.

If a child is mouth breathing, regularly resting with their mouth open, snoring, taking a long time to chew, or their sleep just doesn’t seem settled… there's something worth exploring underneath it.

And the key here is this:

Different causes = different support

It may may be related to:
👉 tongue, lip or jaw function
👉 chewing and swallowing
👉 oral habits
👉 early dental development

As a parent you might notice these things, but not know what’s normal, what’s connected, or where to even start. That’s exactly what my consults are for.

In my 90-minute online Oral Function Consultation, we take a thorough look at what may be contributing and turn it into clear, practical next steps that suit your child.

✨ Telehealth appointments are open Australia-wide.
If you’ve been noticing these patterns and want some answers, I’d love to help.

https://www.thefaceplaceofm.com.au/online-oral-health-services

Mel 🦷✨

“But it’s just fruit!”??Even healthy snacks can increase the risk of tooth decay when they’re eaten too often.Every time...
25/07/2025

“But it’s just fruit!”??

Even healthy snacks can increase the risk of tooth decay when they’re eaten too often.

Every time your child eats, their mouth becomes more acidic and their enamel needs time to recover. Snacking all day (even on “healthy” foods) keeps teeth in that acid danger zone, which can lead to decay over time.

So what can you do?
✅ Space out meals and snacks
✅ Choose options with fat + protein to keep kids fuller for longer
✅ Let teeth rest between eating

You don’t need to eliminate snacks, just make small changes that protect the teeth.

Mel 🦷✨

-

15 month old mouth breathing + crooked teethThat’s what brought this family to their Online Oral Function Consultation t...
24/07/2025

15 month old mouth breathing + crooked teeth

That’s what brought this family to their Online Oral Function Consultation this week.

They weren’t sure if what they were seeing was “normal” or something to act on, but their instincts told them something wasn’t quite right.

🧐 We covered a really broad range of topics to help us decide on the right plan for this little one!

If you’re worried about your toddler’s oral function, but not sure where to start, this is the place.

👶🏼 Get answers. Make a plan. Feel confident.

https://www.thefaceplaceofm.com.au/online-oral-health-services

Mel 🦷✨

-

Zinc, iron, vitamin D… for teeth? ⬇️These common nutrient deficiencies in babies are also linked to poor dental health.T...
23/07/2025

Zinc, iron, vitamin D… for teeth? ⬇️

These common nutrient deficiencies in babies are also linked to poor dental health.

These nutrients play a key role in:
🦷 Building strong enamel
🦷 Supporting immune defenses against decay
🦷 Encouraging healthy jaw and facial development

Think beyond purées to red meat, eggs, fatty fish, and sun-exposed mushrooms, which are some of the most powerful foods for growing little mouths.

🙋‍♀️ Want to learn more?

Download my free guide Infant Oral Health 101! It covers everything you need to support your baby’s dental health from the very beginning.

https://www.thefaceplaceofm.com.au/infant-oral-health-101

Mel 🦷✨

-

Did you know your baby’s mouth starts building its own microbiome from day one?From birth, the oral microbiome begins to...
17/07/2025

Did you know your baby’s mouth starts building its own microbiome from day one?

From birth, the oral microbiome begins to develop and is influenced by everything from birth method and feeding to hygiene and diet.

An imbalance early on can increase the risk of tooth decay, oral thrush, and even digestive and immune issues later down the track.

Learn how to support your baby’s oral health from the very beginning ⬇️

https://www.thefaceplaceofm.com.au/infant-oral-health-101

Mel 🦷✨

-

They’re a go-to snack for teething babies, but…As a Dental Professional + Orofacial Myofunctional Therapist, I don’t rec...
04/07/2025

They’re a go-to snack for teething babies, but…

As a Dental Professional + Orofacial Myofunctional Therapist, I don’t recommend rusk sticks, and here’s why ⬇️

Rusks are sweet, starchy, and stick around in the mouth far longer than whole foods. That combo can increase the risk of tooth decay before those baby teeth even get a fair chance.

Plus, they don’t offer the chewing resistance that little jaws need to grow 💪

🤱🏻 Want to give your baby the best start for a healthy mouth?

Grab my FREE guide Infant Oral Health 101! It's packed with practical tips for ages 0–3.

https://www.thefaceplaceofm.com.au/infant-oral-health-101

Mel 🦷✨

Always follow your child's lead + their eating ability!But generally speaking, baby-led weaning style foods are the best...
01/07/2025

Always follow your child's lead + their eating ability!

But generally speaking, baby-led weaning style foods are the best foods to support growing jaws.

Chewing = jaw growth

Think lamb chops, corn on the cob, pineapple core, meat on the bone...

These kinds of foods give little mouths the resistance they need to build strength and eating skills.

Want a deeper dive into supporting your baby or toddler’s oral health (ages 0–3)?

Download your free guide: Infant Oral Health 101

https://www.thefaceplaceofm.com.au/infant-oral-health-101

Mel 🦷✨

Address

Bowen, QLD
4805

Opening Hours

Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when The Face Place posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn
Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share via Email
Share on WhatsApp Share on Instagram Share on Telegram

Category