Dr Shereen Lim

29/10/2025

Lower lip ties - something I used to miss.

In the past five months, I’ve started screening for lower lip ties routinely, and I believe they are being widely overlooked.

As I’ve intervened more in the last months, the feedback post-release has been too consistent to ignore.

I’m most confident about the potential value of release to promote better facial development in children when there is a receded lower jaw or lower dental crowding.

What parents most consistently report afterward is that their child can close their lips much more easily - especially during MyoMunchee or Healthy Start use, and that their face and posture appear visibly more relaxed.

Both children and adults frequently share their shoulders drop in the chair immediately post release.

This is just one of several important evolutions in my clinical approach this year.

Check the comments for a link to more detail about my journey exploring lower lip ties.

27/10/2025

Twelve years ago, after completing a Graduate Diploma in Dental Sleep Medicine and reading sleep apnoea pioneer Dr Christian Guilleminault's work on palate expansion to improve breathing, I made the decision to learn how to do interceptive orthodontics - so that I could treat my own children. At the time, I was referring children to orthodontists, and many were placed on years of “watchful waiting,” only to eventually return needing extractions before braces. I knew there had to be a better way.

My first choice of teacher was Dr Derek Mahony in Sydney. He has always been ahead of his time - unafraid to challenge convention, and willing to disrupt the status quo to improve outcomes for children. Of the three comprehensive orthodontic programs for general dentists that I completed, his was the most aligned with my vision and approach.

It means a great deal to read his kind words, and to now be able to inspire others to learn more about children's airway health alongside him. He was a wonderful support when I was a lone voice in Perth, and it’s incredible to see how far awareness and local support has come since. I look forward to even greater change, impact, and access to early intervention in the decade ahead.

Send a message to learn more

27/10/2025

Cheek ties and tongue-tie release - an immediate post-release report.

Here’s one of the patients who has helped me discover that cheek-tie release can help improve nasal breathing. In August, I had done her upper lip and lower lip-tie releases. I was not confident about doing tongue-tie release due to severely narrow tongue space. Her lower lip-tie release was the most profound. You can view her immediate post-op perceptions from the day of release here:
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1305189511008808

Nine weeks later, she was booked in for tongue-tie release at the encouragement of a myofunctional therapy colleague we both trusted and were happy to take guidance from. By this time, I had started to doing more cheek-tie releases in older children and adults and was seeing value, so I proposed the top right cheek-tie release at the same time. The frenulum on this side was tighter, and corresponded to the side of her face she had more jaw pain on, and she was happy to proceed.

She had such an immediate and profound improvement that I offered her the option to do the left one to see if that could make a difference. Part of my rationale was that the child I had treated just prior to her - I had done the tighter cheek-tie, not wanting to jump in and do so much, and mum had immediately noticed that side of his smile was so loose, to the degree she noted asymmetry.

In this video, taken immediately post-release, this adult patient shares what she noticed with the cheek and tongue-tie releases. That very night she had the best sleep, impressed with how much air was flowing through her nose, and she woke up refreshed and not feeling like she needed 3 hours to wake up for the first time. These sleep and breathing improvements have held now that we are at the 2.5 week post-release mark.

Myofunctional therapy: Cathy Boyce (now retired)
Osteopathy: Dr Sweatal Shah, Northern Osteopathy

Disclaimer:
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Individual results may vary. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.

26/10/2025

Airway health is the cornerstone of thriving health and vitality.

Healthcare often waits for snoring or sleep apnea before acting. By then, the airway is already compensating or collapsing.

The earliest warning signs are subtle - in jaw growth, oral function, and orofacial patterns. They appear long before night-time symptoms.

Infancy to age six is a critical window. Supporting healthy jaw growth, oral function, and airway structure lays the foundation for lifelong breathing, sleep, and brain health.

Orthodontics is no longer just about straight teeth. It can guide jaw development, optimise tongue space, and support lifelong healthy airway structure and function, including nasal breathing.

Advances in sleep surgery, orthodontics, and myofunctional therapy make it possible for adults to restore healthy airway function too.

There is no division between day and night - it is one airway, and it must support healthy nasal breathing 24/7.

This is the conversation Breathe, Sleep, Thrive was written to start.
Join me in spreading awareness of airway health as the cornerstone of thriving health and vitality.

Discover more in Breathe, Sleep, Thrive:
https://www.amazon.com/Breathe-Sleep-Thrive-Discover-potential/dp/0645553212

25/10/2025

A child’s airway foundations are already being shaped in utero.

High-arched palates and recessed jaws (n non-syndromic children) often reflect altered sucking and swallowing patterns starting before birth.

24/10/2025

Exploring lower lip ties

Until 4.5 months ago, I paid no attention to lower lip ties unless an adult specifically pointed out concern with receding gums in the area.

That changed thanks to one dear patient who inspired me to pay more attention, and in turn inspire others to do the same.

I have learnt so much through many of my other patients and their families since.

This video shares my journey of inspiration, exploration, and discovery of the positive impact that release of lower lip tie may offer in some cases. I pay tribute to the sweet young lady that started it all.

Disclaimer:

Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Individual results may vary. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.

23/10/2025

Did you know glue ear (fluid behind the eardrum) often happens without pain, infection - or even swimming involved?

It’s one of the most common reasons children quietly struggle with hearing, speech or even attention, yet the root cause is often misunderstood.

Many children go through repeated grommet surgeries to address it, often without the underlying structural contributors being considered.

A 2025 article in the European Journal of Paediatric Dentistry explored whether rapid maxillary expansion (RME) - orthodontic treatment to widen the upper jaw - may help support natural ear drainage in selected children.

Read more here on what glue ear actually is, how jaw structure can influence middle ear function, and why early collaboration between dentistry and ENT matters.

Here’s the link to the research paper:

Orthodontics meets otorhinolaryngology: a collaborative approach to otitis media prevention
https://www.ejpd.eu/wp-content/pdf/EJPD_2025_2413.pdf

23/10/2025

Palate expansion for a 7-year-old: 3 month progress

In just three months, this narrow V-shaped arch has already become wider and more U-shaped. I’ve recently started to think much more deeply about how cheek (buccal) ties may contribute to facial tension, jaw collapse and long-term orthodontic stability in these cases.

I am very particular about photography and you’ll often see me obsess over capturing changes at every single visit. Photos are one of the most powerful ways I learn, and what helps distinguish my approach from others.

This close visual tracking over time has helped me see patterns in facial tension and structural change across infants, children and adults.

Over the past few months, as I’ve been releasing more cheek ties in adults, children and infants, I’ve frequently observed or had reported:

✅ wider, more relaxed smiles
✅ visibly reduced facial tension
✅ greater cheek mobility - adults describe this all the way to their ear
✅ increased upper-lip length and reduced gumminess of smile
✅ more open-mouth and capacity for deeper latch
✅ some very significant reports of easier nasal airflow or sinus relief

In this particular case, I perceive release of the cheek ties will be an important next step to support long-term stability of the expansion we have achieved.

My approach is continually evolving, and when I review past patients through my photo records, it is humbling to see what I may have previously missed.

When I see and hear positive changes consistently across all ages, I see greater value in considering whether to address them earlier while the face is still actively growing.

One thing to remember is that cheek ties can’t be diagnosed from photos. They require manual palpation and visualisation during movement, not just static appearance.

Disclaimer:

Any orthodontic procedure carries risk, and individual results may vary. Before proceeding with treatment, you should seek a second opinion with a specialist orthodontist.

16/10/2025

Yesterday was a day of travel with some hiccups for me, but it ended with a chance to unwind and enjoy happy hour on my own by the beach and in the pool in Penang, Malaysia.

I had the company of my brother joining me from Norway earlier during the travels, and some great books that I’ve been waiting to get stuck into! Like Breathe, Sleep, Thrive, both promote greater airway health awareness as a cornerstone for thriving health and vitality, and co-incidentally both authors have established not for profit organizations with a common focus on ensuring that no children suffer with hidden airway issues in the future.

Mom, Save My Brain: The Hidden Airway Crisis Causing Brain Dysfunction in Hundreds of Millions of Children Worldwide by Candy Sparks was a very easy read on the plane. Candy is a mother of a child who suffered with the consequences of airway restriction and her book shares their family’s story and what drives her, and offers lots of checklists on what to look for at every age, and info all parents should know. She founded Children’s Airway First Foundation with her husband Brad - and they’ve done a fantastic job compiling and creating excellent resources for parents and professionals who want to learn more.

Roger Price’s book the Way We Breathe is Killing Us - Learn how the way you breathe can keep you well OR make you sick, distills decades worth of clinical experience and insights on breathing.

I have only started the first chapters - Roger was very influential on the protocols of one of my myofunctional orthodontic mentors Dr John Flutter so I’m looking forward to delving deeper into his book. And I’m inspired by his energy and dedication to writing this and to his non profit organisation International Institute for OrthoPostural Education (IIOPE) at age 85 years!

I’m now enroute to a cousin’s wedding and am looking forward to being a part of my first intergenerational family reunion for a decade as we celebrate together over the next few days! This is also my first visit to my place of birth Penang for well over a decade! So it will be a very decent opportunity to catch up with many relatives.

I’ll be back to work on Tuesday and will reply to more messages from next week!

13/10/2025

5x Oral Releases for a 5 month old - 3 day post release review

This bub had five oral tie releases (upper lip, right and left upper buccals, tongue, and lower lip).

Since I’m travelling travelling this week, I brought some of last week’s patients in early for review - including this little man.

Despite the extent of treatment, significant functional and facial changes were already evident just 3 days post-release.

Mum reported:

✅ Top lip has so much movement – “Feels like you've dissolved Botox and it can fl**ge now.”
✅ Bottom lip also more mobile - chin crease is not as deep
✅ Body is floppy all the time now - was tense before, now snuggles in for cuddles
✅ Feeding improvements - able to move up from newborn bottle teats without gagging and can take 180ml (vs struggling with 10ml before)
✅ Way less gas - less burping, and more comfortable and less squirming during sleep - noticed after 48 hours
✅ Reduced mouthing - I didn’t observe him putting multiple fingers in his mouth compared to initial visit and mum confirmed he has been content to sit in pram without this

💫 Pre and post op chiropractic treatment provided by Dr Lisa Jones at Secret Harbour Chiropractic

💫 Lactation support: IBCLC Brenda at The Gentle Village

Disclaimer:

Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Individual results may vary. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.

13/10/2025

Ten years ago, I was being told by some colleagues to stop imagining dentistry had a role in airway health and to stop creating false hope for parents.

Today, I’m sensing the same kind of resistance around lower lip and cheek-ties, and I understand why.

LOWER LIP & CHEEK-TIES: Why I’m Paying Closer Attention

Lately I’ve been sharing more case studies that include lower lip and cheek (buccal) tie releases, and I know this has raised some eyebrows.

Some people have said it’s invasive, over-treating, or that there’s no research to support it.

I completely understand that concern. Honestly, I’d share it too if people were jumping in and doing these procedures without the clinical experience, judgement, and close observation it takes to know when they’re appropriate and how to support patients through the process.

The truth is, this area is hard to study.

Cadaver and dissection studies can’t show how tight tissues behave in a living person, how they pull, restrict, or compensate during swallowing, speech, or breathing.

And in real life, it’s difficult to separate the impact of each individual tie. Most patients have multiple interconnected restrictions, and often it’s the combination of carefully chosen releases that brings the biggest functional change.

Because of those limitations, case studies and real-world experience are the best evidence we have right now.
That’s why I’ll continue to share them, not to suggest that everyone needs more releases, but to help ensure these areas aren’t overlooked when they may be contributing to dysfunction.

Over time, I’ve heard so much unexpected positive feedback from adult patients, older children, and parents.

Many have shared improvements in body and facial tension, posture, breathing, and sleep quality that we simply can’t ignore. All changes that I thought were previously related to the tongue only, but it was my adult or older patients that first helped point out they could be attributed to other ties.

When I start hearing and seeing similar patterns across different patients, it tells me I need to pay more attention.

I'm in a very unique position of being able to follow up patients from infancy as they grow, and often at multiple time-frames as we do orthodontic treatment and ongoing reviews.

And quite honestly, it’s not always comfortable to look back on earlier patients where I may have released a tongue-tie (with or without the upper lip) and realise I could have achieved better outcomes with what I know now. Those conversations can be hard. But that’s part of learning, continually observing, adapting, and striving to do better for our patients.

It’s also important to be clear that a release is never a quick fix, and it’s never the whole picture.

I routinely work with bodyworkers, osteopaths, and chiropractors, and all my patients have lactation support or myofunctional therapy in place. These collaborations are essential for achieving stable, integrated outcomes.

I’m paying particularly close attention to the facial tension changes in before and after photos and recognising the pattern between them and facial and jaw development across patients of all ages.

If you’re a patient or parent who has noticed meaningful changes after multiple releases and you’re comfortable sharing your story, I’d love to hear from you. With your consent, I may share a few of these experiences to help others understand why this work matters, and why greater attention to these often-overlooked areas can make such a difference.

I’m no stranger to controversy. My guiding principle has always been to stay curious, open-minded, and to speak up when it could mean better care for patients, as uncomfortable as it is to gain more critics.

So let’s keep the discussion open.
Let’s keep learning, evolving, and advancing care.
And let’s keep sharing your stories, because that’s how we grow awareness together.

12/10/2025

Can the shape of your palate predict sleep apnea risk?

This compelling visual is from a recently published study that explored how palate width and palate height relate to the severity of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in adults.

The researchers compared 50 non-obese adults with OSA (mild–severe) and 50 adults without OSA, using 3D digital dental scans alongside sleep studies.

It found:

✅ The wider the upper jaw, the fewer apneas.
✅ The higher and narrower the palate, the more apneas.

In non-obese adults (BMI < 30), these structural differences were significant - highlighting a need for greater integration between dentistry and sleep medicine to promote airway health.

Structure shapes function.
How the palate grows and develops may influence breathing and sleep across the lifespan.

Here's the link to read the full article:
Correlation Between Severity of Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Dental Arch Form in Adults
https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/14/20/7183