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.
Feeding Issues as Indicators of Underlying Problems
Feeding difficulties in infants and young children are often the first visible sign of a deeper physiological or developmental concern. While some degree of variability is expected in early feeding patterns, consistent problems may point to oral motor dysfunction, structural limitations, or
airway-related conditions.Signs such as prolonged feeding times, difficulty latching, coughing or choking during meals, or refusal to eat certain textures can suggest more than just a fussy eater. These behaviors may be compensations for underlying challenges, including tongue-tie, high palate, or
6 | HelloSpokane, Washington • Winter Issue
Feeding Issues as Indicators of Underlying Problems
Feeding difficulties in infants and young children are often the first visible sign of a deeper physiological or developmental concern. While some degree of variability is expected in early feeding patterns, consistent problems may point to oral motor dysfunction, structural limitations, or airway-related conditions. Signs such as prolonged feeding times, difficulty latching, coughing or choking during meals, or refusal to eat certain textures can suggest more than just a fussy eater. These behaviors may be compensations for underlying challenges, including tongue-tie, high palate, or sensory integration issues. Feeding challenges can serve as early warning signs of oral motor dysfunction, airway restriction, or neurological coordination problems. When a child is unable to create effective suction or manipulate food in the mouth, it often reflects dysfunction in the muscles or nerves that control swallowing and breathing. In infants, unresolved feeding issues may result in poor weight gain and feeding aversion, while older children may exhibit behavioral symptoms related to mealtime stress. Beyond nutrition, these issues can affect speech development, facial growth, and sleep quality. A thorough evaluation should assess the child’s oral structures, reflexes, and breathing patterns. Feeding therapists, often working alongside pediatricians, ENTs, and orofacial specialists, use detailed assessments to identify the source of difficulty and design interventions. These may include exercises to strengthen oral motor skills, modifications to feeding techniques, or referrals for structural correction. Early recognition and interdisciplinary care can prevent long-term complications, ensuring not just nutritional adequacy but also supporting optimal growth and developmental milestones.
Dr. Molly Gunsaulis
swallowing and breathing.In infants, unresolved feeding issues may result in poor weight gain and feeding aversion, while older children may exhibit behavioral symptoms related to mealtime stress. Beyond nutrition, these issues can affect speech development, facial growth, and sleep quality.A thorough evaluation should assess the child’s oral structures, reflexes, and breathing patterns. Feeding therapists, often working alongside pediatricians, ENTs, and orofacial specialists, use detailed assessments to identify the source of difficulty and design interventions. These may include exercises to strengthen oral motor skills,...
sensory integration issues.Feeding challenges can serve as early warning signs of oral motor dysfunction, airway restriction, or neurological coordination problems. When a child is unable to create effective suction or manipulate food in the mouth, it often reflects dysfunction in the muscles or nerves that control
Feeding challenges can serve as early warning signs of oral motor dysfunction, airway restriction, or neurological coordination prob...
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.
HelloSpokane, Washington • Winter Issue |7
Building Strong Dental Habits Starts in Early Childhood
Laying the foundation for lifelong oral health begins in the earliest years of a child’s life. While baby teeth eventually fall out, they play a critical role in a child’s development, from eating and speaking to guiding permanent teeth into place. Caring for these teeth, and teaching kids how to care
for them is essential.Good dental habits that begin early are more likely to stick well into adulthood.Parents and caregivers should begin brushing a child's teeth as soon as the first one appears. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and a rice-sized smear of fluoride toothpaste. As children grow,
8 | HelloSpokane, Washington • Winter Issue
Building Strong Dental Habits Starts in Early Childhood
Laying the foundation for lifelong oral health begins in the earliest years of a child’s life. While baby teeth eventually fall out, they play a critical role in a child’s development, from eating and speaking to guiding permanent teeth into place. Caring for these teeth, and teaching kids how to care for them is essential.
Good dental habits that begin early are more likely to stick well into adulthood.
Parents and caregivers should begin brushing a child's teeth as soon as the first one appears. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and a rice-sized smear of fluoride toothpaste. As children grow, encouraging them to brush twice a day helps make the habit part of their daily routine. Involving them in the process, letting them pick out their toothbrush, using songs or timers, and brushing together, can make it more engaging and less of a chore.
Regular dental visits should begin by the child’s first birthday or within six months of the first tooth erupting. These early appointments are more than check-ups; they introduce children to the dental environment in a positive, non-threatening way. Preventive care and monitoring from the start can catch small issues before they become bigger problems.
Parents play a critical role not only in supervising brushing but in modeling good behavior. Letting children see adults brush and floss reinforces that dental hygiene is a normal, lifelong habit. Parents should also assist with brushing until children develop the dexterity to do it well on their own, usually around age 6 to 8. Checking for missed spots and reminding kids to brush the back teeth helps ensure a thorough routine.
Starting early with brushing, flossing, and routine check-ups doesn’t just protect baby teeth, it sets the stage for a lifetime of better oral health and fewer dental problems.
What starts as a parent-led routine can grow into a lifelong habit of self-care and confidence.
Dr. Ashley Ulmer
within six months of the first tooth erupting. These early appointments are more than check-ups; they introduce children to the dental environment in a positive, non-threatening way. Preventive care and monitoring from the start can catch small issues before they become bigger problems.Parents play a critical role not only in supervising brushing but in modeling good behavior. Letting children see adults brush and floss reinforces that dental hygiene is a normal, lifelong habit. Parents should also assist with brushing until children develop the dexterity to do it well on their own, usually around age 6 to 8. Checking for missed...
encouraging them to brush twice a day helps make the habit part of their daily routine. Involving them in the process, letting them pick out their toothbrush, using songs or timers, and brushing together, can make it more engaging and less of a chore.Regular dental visits should begin by the child’s first birthday or
Good dental habits that begin early are more likely to stick well into adulthood.
About the Author
Dr. Ashley Ulmer is the owner of Smiles by Ashley. She enjoys the challenge and opportunity to practice dentistry on her own and finds managing her staff and patients very rewarding. Dr. Ulmer is also an active member of the Spokane District Dental Society and member of the board of directors for the Washington State Dental Association.
