There’s something magical about evening routines with children—those precious moments when the day winds down and we prepare our little ones for restful sleep. I’d love to share a glimpse into my evenings as both an airway-focused dentist and a mom of four beautiful souls, ages 7, 5, 3, and our newest addition, who is 6 months old.
Bath Time: More Than Just Bubbles
After dinner plates are cleared and little tummies are full, we begin our journey toward dreamland with a warm bath or steam shower. This isn’t just about washing away the day’s adventures—though there are plenty of those to clean! The warm moisture serves a deeper purpose, gently cleansing and moisturizing those precious nasal passages so my little ones can breathe freely through their noses all night.
Watching them splash and play reminds me how these simple moments nurture both body and spirit. Sometimes I catch myself smiling at how something as ordinary as bath time can simultaneously be professional care and motherly love wrapped into one warm, steamy hug.
The Nighttime Run: Joy in Motion
Once they’re dried off and snuggled into cozy jammies, we embrace a beloved tradition in our home—the “nighttime run.” This is exactly what it sounds like: my energetic bunch running circles around the house, giggling and letting loose all that remaining energy before bed.
My heart fills watching them zoom around corners, their laughter echoing off walls. In these moments, I’m not Dr. Hetrick the dentist; I’m just Mom, treasuring the sound of little feet pattering across our floors, knowing these sounds are the heartbeat of our home.
Brushing Time: Where My Worlds Meet
When rosy cheeks signal it’s time to slow down, we gather for tooth brushing—the moment where my professional and maternal hearts beat as one. I line up my little troops, armed with either manual or electric toothbrushes (I’ll share my favorites in another post!), and we care for those precious smiles together.
And flossing? I’ll be frank with you—I aim for several times weekly, but I’m not perfect. Some nights the little eyes are heavy, or the baby needs feeding, and we simplify. What matters most is creating positive associations with oral care, not perfection every single time.
Nighttime Appliances: Gentle Guidance for Growing Smiles
Two of my children currently use clear aligners for gentle expansion, so they pop in their trays and give them a little “munch” to ensure proper seating. My three-year-old is working so hard with the Vivos guide starter—melting my heart with determination as those little hands manage this tool that offers myofunctional therapy benefits for lips and tongue while encouraging nasal breathing.
These moments remind me why I do what I do professionally—because every little smile deserves the best possible start, including my own children’s.
The Nose Knows: Breathing Well for Sleeping Well
“Now it’s nose time!” I’ll announce, and everyone knows to gently blow their noses. We follow with a little nasal spray for moisture—nothing too forceful, especially for my 7-year-old who tends toward nosebleeds. On nights when someone’s congested, we use special techniques with sterile saline during bath time (I’ll share videos of this process soon).
Teaching my children to care for their airways is passing along perhaps the most precious gift I can give them as both their mother and their dentist—the foundation for healthy breathing patterns that will serve them throughout life.
Tucking In: From Teeth to Sweet Dreams
With clean teeth, clear airways, and appliances in place, we transition to the sweetest part of our routine—hugs, kisses, and bedtime prayers. Some nights when time allows, we read stories too. My seven-year-old often…
(I realize my note cut off here! I was going to share about my oldest’s special bedtime ritual, but it seems motherhood interrupted my writing—how fitting!)
The Heart Behind the Routine
This evening symphony might seem elaborate, but each element serves both immediate comfort and long-term development. As a dentist, I understand the science behind healthy airways and proper oral development. As a mother, I understand the tender hearts that need patient guidance to embrace these habits.
My evening routine isn’t perfect—it shifts with seasons, illnesses, and the ever-changing needs of growing children. But it’s infused with both professional knowledge and maternal love, a combination that I hope gives my children the best foundation possible for healthy development.
And on nights when we miss a step or simplify the process? We extend grace to ourselves and remember that consistency, not perfection, is what truly matters in raising healthy, happy little ones.
With love from both sides of my heart—the dentist and the mom,
