Dr. Chelsea Pinto

03/27/2023

7 years ago I started my educational and professional journey into the world of infant tongue ties. I listened, I learned, I read, I uncovered, I networked and I embraced the unfolding of my path. I met trailblazers, researchers, and some seriously beautiful human beings who inspired me to spread my wings - who believed in me. Along the way, the same birthing community that supported my growth caring for their babies, helped me bring my own into the world. As time passed, I used my own clinical experience and observations to proudly evolve my practice approach while co-creating education and mentorship opportunities for others in the field. What a beautiful journey it has been!⁣⁣⠀
⁣⁣⠀
I have successfully treated thousands of babies with oral restrictions and proudly prioritize conservative, compassionate, and individualized care. As an advocate for honoring anatomical and physiological normalcies, I educate on proper diagnosis and treatment protocols to 1) avoid unnecessary procedures and overtreatment and 2) to address the importance of establishing optimal oral motor function and tongue posture early on to support feeding, breathing, sleeping, and speaking habits as babies grow. Collaborative care that holds focus on empowering parents and lifting others up is my jam.⁣⁣⠀
⁣⁣⠀
7 weeks ago, after 5 years at The Breathe Institute, I took the leap and followed my heart - opening the doors to my own office. I am the only dentist in Los Angeles/Ventura counties that has solely dedicated my practice to focus on infant tongue and lip ties. I truly love what I do. And I am GRATEFUL. To the parents that have trusted me with caring for their littles, you are the stars in my sky! (Some of you became dear friends!) To my hubby, my family and my friends that motivate me to think big and to always stay in alignment with my values and vision - thank you. To my office team, your dedication and kind spirits are appreciated beyond measure. And to my incredible professional network, I love supporting families in our community together.⁣⁣⠀
⁣⁣⠀
When we are still and present and live in our truth, life unfolds 🐞 Working on some exciting things this year, stay tuned! 🕊️💐

02/10/2020

🌸💕 February 2020 Breathe Baby Course 💕🌸 in the books! 👶👅 Honored to meet and connect with this group of phenomenal and fun providers. Can’t thank my Breathe Institute family and professional village enough 🙏 for sharing their expertise, time and love speaking this weekend. Next course is scheduled for April 24-25, hope to see you there! 🤩

01/10/2020

A little behind the scenes action shooting with Craniosacral Facial Therapist, Dr. Lauren Brim 🎥🎙 Looking forward to sharing her live baby therapy sessions at our upcoming course! Craniosacral work involves the application of gental touch and movement to support proper function throughout the body. Babies respond instinctively to cues provided by the therapist’s hands, exploring what it feels like to create space in areas of their bodies holding tension. I first met Lauren when I brought my own son to see her in infancy and now I am able to witness her compassion and talent as she supports many of the families I work with. For more information on her new Bodywork for Babies training course launching this weekend email bodyworkforbabiesinfo@gmail.com 🗓👶 @ The Breathe Institute

12/17/2019

Tiny dreamer 😴💤 Graduating can be tiring!

11/27/2019

It’s hard to put into words the ⚡️passion, energy and good vibes⚡️ felt at our inaugural Breathe Baby Course 👶 a few weeks ago. My professional path over the past few years has reinforced the power of connection, compassion and the importance of a village I can rely on and continue to evolve with. 🛣🔮🤝 My vision for Breathe Baby was to create a special course experience where the entire village could teach, share, reflect and inspire others together in one space. I can’t thank my professional circle enough for your dedication and excitement - for simply being the incredible people you are. 🙏💕 I am grateful for my family for their drive and support while helping me bring this course to life.
As parents and providers, we don’t have to do things alone. In fact, relying on our village is the most predictable and reassuring way to achieve our goals. Find your tribe... and in the meantime, come hang with us at the next Breathe Baby Course in February 😀 Here’s to spreading awareness, joining forces, and being part of this movement together! @ Kimpton Hotel Palomar Los Angeles Beverly Hills The Breathe Institute

10/16/2019

It was an honor to work with this sweetie and her awesome mama .jamiemellerthouck! 💝
・・・
When your own child needs a dental procedure done, it’s tricky to juggle being both doctor and Mom. 👩🏻‍⚕️ Jayden was in excellent hands for her lip tie release with my friend . Thank you so much for taking such great care of my baby girl! 😘

10/10/2019

✨💫 It’s happening! 💫✨ With the support of my incredible Breathe Institute family, it is with much excitement that I share the launch of my 2-day Infant Tongue Tie Course! 👶👅 Join us on November 8-9, 2019 for a dynamic learning experience. We’re bringing together an amazing group of guest speakers and panelists to highlight the importance of a multidisciplinary team approach and to honor the power of connection – with each other and with our patients.
Look forward to sharing my career shift from general dentistry to infant tongue ties – I’ll tell you what I wish I knew when I started out, what I’ve learned so far and how to navigate the ins and outs of an evolving specialty. Sign up link: https://www.thebreatheinstitute.com/breathebabycourse.html 🗓🌴

10/01/2019

(CUTEST) Graduation Day vibes! 😉💙🎓

09/10/2019

How rad is this image? 🧠👶💥👩 Thanks for sharing !
・・・
This is the world’s first ever magnetic resonance image showing a mother and child’s bond. The image is of neuroscientist Rebecca Saxe kissing her two month old son.

The child’s brain appears to be smoother and darker. This is because it has significantly less white matter. White matter is comprised of myelin, which is fatty tissue that acts as insulation for the wires that communicate messages inside your brain.

Kissing causes a chemical reaction in your brain, including a burst of the hormone oxytocin. Oxytocin is often referred to as the ‘love hormone’ because it stirs up feelings of affection and attachment.

Kissing activates the brain’s reward system; releasing dopamine which makes us feel good. It also releases vasopressin which bonds mothers with babies and romantic partners to each other. It also releases serotonin which helps to regulate our mood.

09/08/2019

My 3rd year volunteering for the Santa Monica Police Activities League at their annual back-to-school event! PAL is an after school program that provides educational, cultural, fitness and recreational activities for youth ages 6-17 years old. Such an amazing organization, staff and mission. Thank you for having me, these kiddos rock! 🎸🦷🔍🎒 @ Santa Monica PAL

07/21/2019

I highlighted the positive of infant tongue ties and a multidisciplinary approach making headlines last week, creating a platform for continued conversation. However, there are undeniable concerns with the study that became increasingly frustrating and bothersome, only to be misinterpreted by media sources. That’s what prompted this letter. Here’s to the hundreds of moms who wrote back to the media outlets sharing their childrens’ tongue tie release success stories and making their breastfeeding journeys heard! 👊🤱 While there’s only a small chance it will be published, I’m feeling proud to co-author and submit this response with colleagues Dr. Soroush Zaghi and Dr. Richard Baxter. @ The Breathe Institute

07/15/2019

Only by pushing through the fears that hold us back from doing more can we enhance our own lives and motivate others. First time diving into public speaking this weekend 💬🙆🏼‍♀️✔️ and what an honor to do so alongside my inspiring mentor Soroush Zaghi and the rest of my incredible and supportive family at his 2-day functional breathing and frenuloplasty course! The Breathe Institute

07/14/2019

Lots of articles popping up in response to a study published in JAMA Otolaryngology this week. I want to ✨CELEBRATE✨ seeing the topic of infant tongue ties and the importance of providing a multidisciplinary support system making the news. YES! 🎉🤗 Provider collaborations with IBCLCs, SLPs, chiropractors and bodywork therapists allow for a whole body, whole health approach that I so wholeheartedly believe in. As providers and parents, we should be communicating - we should feel confident and comfortable working together to discuss resources, track feeding progress and above all else - create an individualized treatment plan for every baby and every family. Here’s to continuing to work together, learn together and provide the best care options for our babies as we can to support successful and efficient breastfeeding as well as proper orofacial development as these little ones grow! 👼🤝📋

06/24/2019

You know that feeling you get when you meet someone and know they are the very person you were meant to cross paths with at that exact moment in your life or career? 🔮⚡️Wow, this woman is amazing! Dr. Karen Wuertz has an extensive background in airway, craniofacial dental sleep medicine, orofacial myology and frenectomy treatment... not to mention such an inviting and relatable speaker. What fun to connect at her fabulous 1-day course, thankful to have her as a colleague. Talk about feeling fired up! 🔥💭🤩

06/23/2019

Down in San Diego 🏄🏼‍♀️🌞 hanging with Autumn Read Henning, founder of Chrysalis Orofacial, Speech-Language Pathologist, Certified Orofacial Myologist and now IBCLC🎉 at her TOTS training course! Love her kind spirit and dedication. Thank you for sharing and for bringing together such a fabulous and fun group of professionals to encourage connection and education in this field. 💞😋💡📝

06/15/2019

Thank you Bobby Ghaheri MD for addressing this again! SO important to recognize and honor the normalcies of frenula! 🙌👄✨

The vast majority of those who read the posts on this site show an interest because of problems with breastfeeding. I have pointed out many of those symptoms before: pain, poor weight gain, poor latch mechanics, reflux and so forth. As our awareness about tongue tie and lip tie increases, more moms