Welcome back to More Than Teeth, where we connect the dots between dentistry, airway health, and whole-body wellness. I’m Dr. Michael Bennett, and today we’re diving into a topic that affects every patient, parent, and practice: “The Clear-Nose Clinic: Fast, Low-Risk Protocols for Airway-Centered Dentists.” Your nose isn’t just a passage for air — it’s the body’s first line of defense, a filter for the immune system, and key driver of restorative sleep.

In Today’s Edition

• Case Insight: From mouth breathing to mastery—how a “clear nose first” plan improved sleep, gag control, and restorative success in 2 weeks

• Clinical Corner: The 3-Blow Method, pre-op “Nasal Readiness” checklist, and when to loop in ENT

• Evidence Review: Xylitol for sinonasal hygiene, nitric-oxide benefits of nasal breathing, and what the data really say about airflow gains

• Coach Cathy’s Take: Daily micro-habits (AM/PM nasal routine + xylitol dosing) that boost immunity and sleep quality

• Bonus: Chairside scripts & patient handout lines you can use tomorrow

5-minute read 👇

Clinical Corner

🥼Use the clinical corner as your secret weapon to impress your colleagues and patients!

🔑 Key Takeaways

• Proactive health saves lives.
  Xlear’s products focus on prevention, not reaction. Routine use can reduce illness, save healthcare costs, and support overall wellness.

• Nasal breathing is essential.
  Nasal breathing autoinhales nitric oxide, which has pulmonary vasodilatory effects and improves arterial oxygenation vs mouth breathing. PubMed+1

• Xylitol enhances oral and airway health.
  Xylitol shifts oral bacteria from acid-producing to non-acid-producing, protecting teeth and airway surfaces.

• Airway volume improvement.
  Company-reported data (2015 oral abstract) suggests that peak airflow may increase by ~35% after using xylitol nasal spray compared to saline; peer-reviewed confirmation is pending.Xlear Brand Sinus Care

• Minimal side effects.
  Clinical studies report xylitol irrigations are generally well-tolerated; follow label instructions and general nasal-spray technique.PubMed

• Viral defense support.
  Lab (in vitro) studies show virucidal activity of xylitol + grapefruit seed extract solutions; clinical outcome data are limited.bioRxiv+1

Key Connections

After 26 years in dentistry, I’ve personally seen how often chronic problems trace back to one root cause:

We can’t breathe or sleep well.

Fatigue, anxiety, headaches, even behavioral issues in kids, so many of these “everyday” challenges are signs of poor airway function.

When oxygen flow is compromised, the body remains in a state of stress, healing slows, and inflammation spreads.

The problem often begins in childhood, characterized by mouth breathing, small jaws, and a low tongue posture, which can reshape the airway over time.

By adulthood, that same pattern can become sleep apnea, grinding, and exhaustion that no amount of caffeine can fix. 

Feature Interview: Nate Jones, Founder & CEO of Xlear

I sat down with Nate Jones, founder and CEO of Xlear, where we discussed the vital role of nasal health, proactive wellness, and how simple solutions can transform lives.

Nate shared the philosophy behind his company:

• Reactive medicine treats symptoms, often ignoring root causes

• Clear and Spry products focus on prevention and maintaining health

• Xylitol-based products reduce harmful bacteria and maintain a healthy oral and nasal microbiome

• These practices save money by preventing illness rather than treating it

Xylitol Connection

Nate discovered xylitol’s power while trying to help his wife overcome chronic sinus infections.

You may know it as a natural sweetener, but it’s also a powerful tool for airway and nasal health.

Nothing worked until they used xylitol to target the problem at its source, bacterial adhesion. Additionally:

• Xylitol prevents bacteria from sticking to the nasal and oral mucosa.

• Used as a nasal spray, it clears the nose, reduces inflammation, and helps the body maintain clean, open airways—naturally.

🎧 Listen: Healing Power of Sleep Podcast – “Nasal Health and Proactive Wellness with Nate Jones”

Benefits of Xlear and Xylitol

• Maintains the mucus barrier that traps bacteria and viruses

• Reduces inflammation while keeping mucus fluid and functional

• Supports airflow, nitric oxide production, and overall oxygenation

• Safe with minimal to no side effects

Clinical Application

Pre-op “Nasal Readiness” protocol (for gag control & stable nasal breathing) prior to restorative procedures

1. Coach the 3 Blow Method at check-in (blow → 2–4 sprays/nostril → wait ~30s → blow). Document.

2. Proceed with impressions/denture steps once the patient can keep their mouth relaxed and breathe nasally; combine with standard gag-management tactics (chin-to-chest, salt on tongue, distraction/CBT). PMC

3. Refer to ENT for suspected chronic obstruction (polyps, recurrent sinusitis, severe turbinate hypertrophy). Continue non-medicated hygiene pending eval. theajo.com

Perio support: “Xylitol-as-therapy” micro-protocol

• Goal ≥5–10 g/day xylitol via gum/lozenges in divided doses; chew ≥3 minutes after meals to stimulate saliva and reduce MS counts. Review in 2–4 weeks with plaque scores. PubMed+1

TMD myalgia reactivation plan (once acute pain is controlled)

• Soft gum or chew device: 5–10 minutes, 2–3×/day, progress by tolerance over 2–4 weeks; track ROM and pressure-pain thresholds. PubMed+1

Evidence Corner: Xylitol and Nasal Health

Proactive Health Tips

• Keep nasal passages clear for better sleep and oxygenation

• Use nasal sprays as a preventive measure, not just for symptoms

• Maintain moisture barriers in dry climates for airway protection

• Focus on proactive upper airway health to reduce long-term medical costs

Coach Cathy’s Take

What you eat matters. How you breathe and sleep determines how much of it your body can actually use. Pair smart nutrition with nightly parasympathetic activation, and you’ll get more health from every bite.

1. Start with vegetables first—fiber-rich, low-glycemic foods calm inflammation and stabilize blood sugar. But here’s the missing link: you don’t fully benefit from great food if your nervous system is stuck in “fight or flight.”

   When your nose is clear and you breathe well during sleep, your parasympathetic (“rest and digest”) system stays dominant. That supports gastric motility, digestive enzyme and bile flow, and nutrient absorption.

   When sleep is fragmented or you mouth-breathe, the sympathetic system stays elevated—digestion downshifts, absorption suffers, and even a perfect plate does less for your body. Translation: any nutrition plan should include a plan to activate parasympathetic tone, especially at night.

   How to “turn on” rest-and-digest before bed

   • Clear the nose: Do the 3-Blow Method (blow → 2–4 sprays/nostril → wait ~30s → blow) 30–60 minutes before lights out. If persistent congestion exists, loop in an ENT.

   • Breathe light and slow: 5 minutes of relaxed nasal breathing (e.g., 4-second inhale, 6-second exhale) to downshift heart rate and calm the system.

   • Chew slowly, finish early: Last meal 2–3 hours before bed; 20–30 chews per bite to signal satiety and improve pre-sleep digestion.

   • Hydrate, don’t flood: Small sips in the evening; avoid large fluid loads right before bed.

   • Xylitol for saliva & oral ecology: A piece of xylitol gum after dinner can stimulate saliva, support oral microflora, and cue relaxation—then discard well before bedtime.

   • Nasal humidification help: In dry climates, use a bedside humidifier and keep a saline/xylitol spray handy.

   • Caution with mouth taping: Consider only if nasal breathing is easy and no untreated OSA; when in doubt, consult your dental sleep team/ENT first.

   • Evening rhythm: Dim lights, limit alcohol and heavy fats late, and keep a consistent wind-down window so your nervous system learns the pattern.

2. Breathing is a combination of rhythm, posture, and chemistry working together. Encourage families to:

• Practice nasal breathing daily.

• Support nasal hydration and barrier health.

• Recognize that proactive nasal care benefits not only the airway but also overall immunity and sleep.

Recommended Reading

• The Boyds and the Bees – Exploring complex organisms and health systems

• JAMA Internal Medicine: randomized trial of azelastine nasal spray for prevention of COVID-19. JAMA Network

• CIDRAP news brief summarizing the trial and outcomes (plain-English overview). cidrap.umn.edu

• Review on oronasal saline irrigation in COVID-19 (viral load, clearance, symptom relief). PMC

• Perspective on upper respiratory mucosal immunity and vaccine/airway strategies. ScienceDirect

Closing Reflection

P.S. A Word from Dr. Bennett & Cathy

As a husband-and-wife team, comprising one dentist and one certified health coach, we’ve seen how changing what people breathe, eat, and do on a daily basis can have a profound impact. Poor sleep and poor breathing can affect the whole body, but taking small, consistent steps can help restore health and vitality.

Healthy sleep builds strong minds, calm hearts, and connected families. So tonight, clear your nose, close your mouth, and take three slow breaths before bed. Health starts in the mouth, and healing depends on rest.

Dentistry’s role is expanding: we don’t just fix structures; we guide developmental health. By prioritizing nasal health, we improve airway function, enhance sleep quality, and promote overall systemic wellness.

The nose isn’t just a passage—it’s a gateway to lifelong health.

For our children, our grandchildren, and the generations that follow, let’s help them breathe, sleep, and grow the way nature intended.

For our 10 beautiful grandchildren, and for yours as well.

— Dr. Michael & Cathy Bennett
More Than Teeth | A Mission for Generational Health

Share Your Story

Every week, More Than Teeth highlights real experiences from clinicians who are changing lives through airway and sleep-focused care.

If you’ve had a memorable moment screening or managing a patient with a sleep-related breathing disorder, and you witnessed an impact on their sleep, energy, heart health, or oral stability, we’d love to hear about it.

Your story could help inspire other providers to take that first step in screening.

Submit your clinical story or reflection to [email protected] and give permission for it to be shared with subscribers

(Brief submissions are welcome — even a few sentences about what surprised or moved you most.)

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