Picking Daisies

Mouth Breathing, Mom Guilt & Modern Dental Care with Tooth Pillow and Brianna Riser

Mary Hendricks

In this honest and surprisingly funny episode, I’m joined by Brianna Riser, mom, dental professional, and now VP of Experience at Toothpillowa brand on a mission to change the game when it comes to pediatric dental health and sleep.

We chat about everything from early orthodontic intervention (yes, it matters way more than we think) to how sleep issues and mouth breathing could be impacting your kid’s mood, focus, and development. Brianna breaks it all down without the jargon, shares her personal “why” behind the work she’s doing, and offers real support for parents navigating the confusing and expensive world of dental care.

We also talk about:

  • Why sleep apnea is more common in kids than we realize
  • How cultural habits, diet, and access all play into oral health
  • The mental load of motherhood and why dental care becomes one more thing on the list
  • Toothpillow’s mission to educate, empower, and support families
  • And the very real possibility that my husband and I will have to sell feet pics to afford our kids’ future braces

Whether you’re a seasoned mom or still Googling “when do baby teeth fall out,” this episode is packed with info, empathy, and reminders that you’re not alone in trying to figure it all out.


Join Mary everyday for a real look into life with 3 crazy ass kids, surviving, thriving, and whatever the F else you might consider over at www.instagram.com/theverymarylife. Or if you're a Tik Tok fan, find me at https://www.tiktok.com/@theverymarylife. And of course, explore more on Theverymarylife.com



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