Today we’d like to introduce you to Tiernee Midkiff.
Hi Tiernee, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My passion for myofunctional therapy began as a deeply personal journey, shaped by the health challenges my children faced. While homeschooling them through late elementary and middle school, I witnessed firsthand the struggles they endured—struggles that went beyond what most people recognize. When they transitioned back to public school, I decided to further my own education and became a registered dental hygienist. Their stories continue to inspire me every day to help families identify and address airway and myofunctional issues early, so they don’t have to face the same uncertainties we did.
My oldest was born five weeks early and faced many obstacles, including sleep apnea, enlarged tonsils and adenoids, tooth decay, picky eating, and extended bedwetting. After his tonsils and adenoids were removed, his breathing and sleep improved, but it was only part of the solution. My daughter was a great nurser and sleeper as a baby but later developed digestion issues and anxiety that were difficult to understand. My youngest daughter had her own challenges, nursing on only one side, terrible sleep that required being held, TMJ, migraines, and a narrow airway.
Despite these signs, no one initially recognized the role of myofunctional dysfunction in their health. It wasn’t until years into my dental hygiene career that I read an article about airway health that mirrored their struggles. That moment opened my eyes to the importance of airway—but I still didn’t realize that myofunctional therapy was the missing piece of the puzzle.
I love dental hygiene because it allows me to be an oral health preventative, helping patients maintain healthy mouths and smiles. Myofunctional therapy feels like a natural continuation of that role, addressing deeper functions like breathing, swallowing, and tongue posture that affect overall health and wellness.
When I learned about Myofunctional Matters and Christina Bridges—the pioneer who brought myofunctional therapy to the Charlotte region—my eyes were truly opened. Christina’s mentorship helped me deepen my understanding and solidify my passion for this transformative work. Today, I’m proud to carry that mission forward in Greater York County and South Charlotte, helping families improve breathing, sleep, and overall health through myofunctional therapy.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
One of the hardest challenges I’ve faced personally is feeling like I’m swimming upstream trying to change how healthcare professionals—and even families—think about airway health. Too often, important issues like mouth breathing or tongue ties are dismissed as “normal” or just minor inconveniences, when I know how deeply they affect quality of life. Finding providers who truly listen, don’t dismiss these concerns, and are willing to look beyond symptoms to address root causes has been critical—but also difficult.
Balancing this ongoing advocacy with the everyday demands of life, continuing my education, and building my practice has tested me in many ways. There have been moments when I questioned whether the effort to educate and change minds is worth it. Yet, every time I witness a patient’s progress or a family’s relief, it fuels my determination to keep pushing forward—knowing that changing mindsets and improving lives is absolutely worth it.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
What I love most about my work is the opportunity to see real, lasting change in my patients’ lives through myofunctional therapy. This specialized therapy focuses on retraining the muscles of the face, mouth, and throat to improve breathing, swallowing, tongue posture, and overall oral function. Many people don’t realize how deeply these muscle patterns affect sleep quality, speech, and even facial development—especially in children, Helping someone improve their breathing or sleep through targeted exercises and personalized therapy feels like giving them a fresh start.
Beyond individual care, I’m passionate about education. I have spoken to local dental groups to raise awareness about the critical role airway health plays not only for my patients but also within the broader community and healthcare professionals. By sharing knowledge about myofunctional therapy and its benefits, I hope to spark a ripple effect that prevents future health struggles. Being part of this growing movement—one that is finally recognizing the power of myofunctional therapy—is both humbling and incredibly energizing.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Mentorship and collaboration have been essential to my growth. Christina Bridges has been a tremendous mentor, offering guidance and encouragement as I’ve developed my expertise in myofunctional therapy. I’m grateful to continue her legacy and bring this work to families in Greater York County and South Charlotte.
I collaborate closely with a diverse team of healthcare professionals—including pediatricians, ENTs, dentists, orthodontist, periodontist, chiropractors, occupational therapists, and massage therapists. Together, we create comprehensive care plans that address all aspects of airway and oral health. Working as a team to support families and improve outcomes makes this journey incredibly rewarding.
If a person would like to work with me they can reach out to 1) tiernee@myofunctionalmatters.com; 2) www.myofunctionalmatters.com 2) IG: myofunctional_matters 4) FB: Myofunctional Matters Therapy Partners 5) phone: 980-533-0606. I see clients in person and vitrual!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.myofunctionalmatters.com
- Instagram: myofunctional_matters
- Facebook: Myofunctional Matters Therapy Partners
