Spokane, Washington, is a city that seamlessly blends urban sophistication with stunning natural beauty, crafting an ideal living
environment for families, professionals, and adventurers alike. Known for its stunning Riverfront Park, Spokane offers residents a daily invitation to wander along the scenic Spokane River, which beautifully showcases the city's commitment to maintaining pristine, accessible green spaces.
With a rich cultural tapestry, Spokane serves as a bustling hub for arts, entertainment, and history. The vibrant downtown is teeming with eclectic eateries, unique boutiques, and an array of art galleries marking Spokane as a cultural epicenter in the Pacific Northwest. The historic Fox Theater and a packed calendar of events at the Spokane Arena ensure you're never far from world-class entertainment.
What truly sets Spokane apart is the spirit of its community, where friendly neighbors and welcoming attitudes create an inclusive atmosphere. The city’s seamless blend of culture, nature, and human warmth makes Spokane more than just a place to live—it's a place to thrive. Whether you’re hiking a trail, enjoying a local festival, or savoring local craft brews, Spokane invites you to make memories and call it home.
Discover the Vibrant Charm of Spokane,
Discover the Vibrant Charm of Spokane, Washington
Spokane, Washington, is a city that seamlessly blends urban sophistication with stunning natural beauty, crafting an ideal living environment for families, professionals, and adventurers alike. Known for its stunning Riverfront Park, Spokane offers residents a daily invitation to wander along the scenic Spokane River, which beautifully showcases the city's commitment to maintaining pristine, accessible green spaces.
With a rich cultural tapestry, Spokane serves as a bustling hub for arts, entertainment, and history. The vibrant downtown is teeming with eclectic eateries, unique boutiques, and an array of art galleries marking Spokane as a cultural epicenter in the Pacific Northwest. The historic Fox Theater and a packed calendar of events at the Spokane Arena ensure you're never far from world-class entertainment.
What truly sets Spokane apart is the spirit of its community, where friendly neighbors and welcoming attitudes create an inclusive atmosphere. The city’s seamless blend of culture, nature, and human warmth makes Spokane more than just a place to live—it's a place to thrive. Whether you’re hiking a trail, enjoying a local festival, or savoring local craft brews, Spokane invites you to make memories and call it home.
FEATURED STORY
Understanding Tongue-Ties and Their Impact
by Dr. Molly Gunsaulis
Understanding Tongue-Ties and Their ImpactTongue-ties, clinically referred to as ankyloglossia, occur when the lingual frenulum—a small fold of tissue under the tongue—is unusually short, thick, or tight. This condition restricts the tongue’s range of motion and can impact several developmental functions, particularly in infants and young children.Most often identified in infancy, tongue-ties can interfere with effective breastfeeding. The tongue’s restricted mobility may prevent infants from latching properly, leading to inadequate milk transfer and symptoms such as
6 | HelloSpokane, Washington • Fall Issue
Dr. Molly Gunsaulis
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Dr. Molly Gunsaulis is a highly accomplished pediatric dentist in Spokane Valley. She is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry and is known for her commitment to airway-focused dental education, integrating a collaborative team approach for optimal outcomes in her pediatric dental practice.
maternal nipple pain or infant weight loss. In such cases, lactation consultants are often the first professionals to identify the concern.When untreated, tongue-ties may contribute to speech articulation issues, oral hygiene challenges, and even sleep-disordered breathing. As children grow, the condition can manifest in difficulty pronouncing certain sounds, particularly those requiring elevation of the tongue. It can also make routine tasks like licking, eating, or maintaining dental hygiene more difficult due to limited tongue movement.Diagnosis is typically made through a clinical examination that
Hello Spokane, Washington • Fall Issue |7
Understanding Tongue-Ties and Their Impact
Understanding Tongue-Ties and Their Impact
Tongue-ties, clinically referred to as ankyloglossia, occur when the lingual frenulum—a small fold of tissue under the tongue—is unusually short, thick, or tight. This condition restricts the tongue’s range of motion and can impact several developmental functions, particularly in infants and young children.
Most often identified in infancy, tongue-ties can interfere with effective breastfeeding. The tongue’s restricted mobility may prevent infants from latching properly, leading to inadequate milk transfer and symptoms such as maternal nipple pain or infant weight loss. In such cases, lactation consultants are often the first professionals to identify the concern.
When untreated, tongue-ties may contribute to speech articulation issues, oral hygiene challenges, and even sleep-disordered breathing. As children grow, the condition can manifest in difficulty pronouncing certain sounds, particularly those requiring elevation of the tongue. It can also make routine tasks like licking, eating, or maintaining dental hygiene more difficult due to limited tongue movement.
Diagnosis is typically made through a clinical examination that evaluates tongue function alongside observable physical characteristics. Providers may use assessment tools to score tongue mobility and determine functional limitations. It’s essential to differentiate between a visible frenulum and one that functionally impairs mobility, as not all visible ties require intervention.
Treatment, when deemed necessary, often involves a procedure called a frenotomy or frenuloplasty. These outpatient procedures release the tie and are frequently accompanied by therapeutic support, including feeding therapy or myofunctional therapy, to retrain proper tongue movement and promote optimal outcomes.
When untreated, tongue-tiesmay contributeto speech articulation issues,oral hygienechallenges, and even sleep-disorderedbreathing.
evaluates tongue function alongside observable physical characteristics. Providers may use assessment tools to score tongue mobility and determine functional limitations. It’s essential to differentiate between a visible frenulum and one that functionally impairs mobility, as not all visible ties require intervention.Treatment, when deemed necessary, often involves a procedure called a frenotomy or frenuloplasty. These outpatient procedures release the tie and are...
The Significance of Open Mouth Breathing
Open mouth breathing is more than a simple habit; it often signals a disruption in the body's normal respiratory function. While it may occur temporarily during illness or congestion, chronic open mouth breathing can indicate deeper structural or functional issues involving the airway, nasal passages,
or orofacial muscles.In children, this breathing pattern frequently stems from nasal obstruction, whether due to allergies, enlarged tonsils or adenoids, or anatomical deviations. When the nose cannot function as the primary airway, the body compensates by breathing through the mouth. Over time,
8 | HelloSpokane, Washington • Fall Issue
The Significance of Open Mouth Breathing
Open mouth breathing is more than a simple habit; it often signals a disruption in the body's normal respiratory function. While it may occur temporarily during illness or congestion, chronic open mouth breathing can indicate deeper structural or functional issues involving the airway, nasal passages, or orofacial muscles. In children, this breathing pattern frequently stems from nasal obstruction, whether due to allergies, enlarged tonsils or adenoids, or anatomical deviations. When the nose cannot function as the primary airway, the body compensates by breathing through the mouth. Over time, this compensation becomes habitual and can impact facial growth and oral development. Chronic open mouth breathing can lead to long-term changes in facial structure, dental alignment, and sleep quality. The tongue, instead of resting against the palate, sits low in the mouth, which can result in a narrow palate and elongated face. These changes may increase the risk of crowded teeth, speech difficulties, and disrupted sleep. Left unaddressed, open mouth breathing may also contribute to behavioral and cognitive symptoms related to poor sleep, such as difficulty focusing, irritability, and daytime fatigue. In many cases, children with sleep-disordered breathing exhibit symptoms similar to ADHD. Comprehensive evaluation is essential to identify the root cause. Treatment plans often involve a team approach, including pediatricians, ENTs, dentists, and myofunctional therapists. Restoring nasal breathing not only improves oxygen exchange but also supports proper growth, development, and long-term health.
Molly Gunsaulis
elongated face. These changes may increase the risk of crowded teeth, speech difficulties, and disrupted sleep.Left unaddressed, open mouth breathing may also contribute to behavioral and cognitive symptoms related to poor sleep, such as difficulty focusing, irritability, and daytime fatigue. In many cases, children with sleep-disordered breathing exhibit symptoms similar to ADHD.Comprehensive evaluation is essential to identify the root cause. Treatment plans often involve a team approach, including pediatricians, ENTs, dentists, and myofunctional therapists. Restoring nasal breathing not only improves oxygen exchange but also...
this compensation becomes habitual and can impact facial growth and oral development.Chronic open mouth breathing can lead to long-term changes in facial structure, dental alignment, and sleep quality. The tongue, instead of resting against the palate, sits low in the mouth, which can result in a narrow palate and
Chronic open mouth breathing can lead to long-term changes in facial structure, dental alignment, and sleep quality.
About the Author
Dr. Molly Gunsaulis is a highly accomplished pediatric dentist in Spokane Valley. She is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry and is known for her commitment to airway-focused dental education, integrating a collaborative team approach for optimal outcomes in her pediatric dental practice.
