In this week’s episode of the Be Well by Kelly podcast, I had the pleasure of talking with Dr. Tracy Tran, a board-certified pediatric dentist based in Newport Beach who brings clinical precision, heartfelt care, and a unique focus on early oral and airway development.
With advanced training in oral surgery, pediatric dentistry, and a Master’s in Biomedical Science, Dr. Tran has become a trusted specialist in identifying and treating tethered oral tissues (TOTs) and orofacial myofunctional disorders (OMDs). Her mission is to help children thrive, by supporting optimal feeding, speech, and sleep through early oral health interventions.
In the episode, we dive into the intersections of motherhood, dentistry, and whole-child health, covering everything from tongue-ties to sleep-disordered breathing and why early intervention matters. Dr. Tran shares how her own journey into dentistry and motherhood shaped the way she cares for children and families. She discusses how seemingly small oral challenges, like tongue-ties, can affect everything from an infant’s ability to nurse to a child’s long-term growth and airway development. By looking at the mouth as part of a larger system, she helps parents understand the connection between oral function, breathing, and overall health.
Ultimately, Dr. Tran invites listeners to rethink pediatric dentistry as preventive, holistic care that sets the foundation for lifelong health. By creating positive dental experiences and working closely with families, she’s redefining what it means to nurture a child’s smile, from their first feeding to their brightest grin.
