Episode 148: Revolutionizing Sleep Through Airway-Focused Dentistry with Dr. Nimisha Somaiya
Release Date: 05/05/2025
Episode 154: What Dentists Are Missing About Sleep, Pain, and the Airway with Dr. Mayoor Patel
Healthy Sleep Revolution
In this episode of Healthy Sleep Revolution, we’re joined by Dr. Mayoor Patel, DDS, MS, a leading expert in dental sleep medicine and co-editor of Dental Sleep Medicine: A Clinical Guide, a comprehensive textbook used by clinicians to understand the intersection of dentistry and sleep medicine. Dr. Patel has spent decades focused on TMJ disorders, orofacial pain, and sleep-disordered breathing, bringing a depth of clinical experience and academic insight that challenges how many dental and sleep practices currently operate. We discuss the significant gaps that exist between traditional...
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Episode 153: Weight, Metabolism & Breathing: Myth vs Reality
Healthy Sleep Revolution
In this episode of Healthy Sleep Revolution, we challenge one of the most common misconceptions in sleep medicine: that weight loss alone can resolve sleep apnea. We explain why this belief is scientifically incomplete and often leads to frustration and self-blame for patients. Many individuals with sleep apnea are not obese, including children, athletes, and women undergoing hormonal changes, which highlights that body weight is not the primary driver of disordered breathing during sleep. We break down the critical role of airway anatomy and physiology, including jaw position, palate...
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Episode 152: Kids, Screens & Sleep – Are We Overlooking the Airway?
Healthy Sleep Revolution
In this episode, we dive into a conversation every parent, teacher, and clinician needs to hear: how screens, posture, mouth breathing, and airway development are all deeply connected. While most discussions focus on blue light and screen limits, we explore how modern tech habits are quietly reshaping children’s facial growth and long-term sleep health. We break down how forward head posture and constant downward gazing narrow the airway, encourage mouth breathing, and interfere with deep, restorative sleep. We also explain how poor tongue posture and underdeveloped palates contribute to...
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Episode 151: How Screens Secretly Sabotage Your Sleep & Airway Health
Healthy Sleep Revolution
In this episode of the Healthy Sleep Revolution Podcast, Dr. Meghna Dassani breaks down one of the biggest, and most overlooked, disruptors of modern sleep: screens. We all know we should put our phones away before bed, but few people understand why it matters so much. Dr. Dassani explains how blue light, digital overstimulation, notifications, and nighttime scrolling impact melatonin, cortisol, airway stability, and your nervous system’s ability to shift into deep, restorative sleep. You’ll learn: How blue light signals your brain that it’s daytime Why melatonin drops and cortisol...
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Episode 150: Redefining Dentistry: Airway, Sleep, and Whole-Patient Care with Dr. Sofya Kats
Healthy Sleep Revolution
In today’s episode, I sit down with the incredible Dr. Sofya Kats, a Milwaukee-based general dentist whose practice takes a whole-patient approach to health. From infants to older adults, she focuses on airway, sleep, growth, and function — because the mouth is more than teeth; it’s the gateway to lifelong health. This conversation has been months in the making, and it was so worth the wait. Dr. Sofya and I explore how early oral function, feeding, and nasal breathing shape a child’s development — and how airway issues continue to affect adults who may not even realize they're...
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Episode 149: The Future of Sleep Medicine with Dr. Aarthi Raghavan
Healthy Sleep Revolution
In this empowering and eye-opening episode of The Healthy Sleep Revolution, Dr. Meghna Dassani is joined by the passionate and insightful Dr. Aarthi Raghavan—a trailblazing dentist who is redefining what it means to provide whole-patient care. Together, they dive into the exciting innovations transforming the sleep and airway space, from cutting-edge tech to collaborative care models that center patient wellbeing. With warmth, wisdom, and real-world experience, Dr. Raghavan shares how her practice blends clinical excellence with education and empathy to improve sleep health, especially for...
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Episode 148: Revolutionizing Sleep Through Airway-Focused Dentistry with Dr. Nimisha Somaiya
Healthy Sleep Revolution
In today’s enlightening episode of The Healthy Sleep Revolution, Dr. Meghna Dassani sits down with Dr. Nimisha Somaiya, the heart behind Seva Dental in Bellbrook, Ohio. With a unique blend of clinical expertise and a deeply personal journey into sleep-disordered breathing, Dr. Somaiya shares how incorporating sleep medicine into her dental practice has transformed not only her own life and her family's health—but is now changing the lives of her patients as well. This isn’t just a conversation about straight teeth—it’s about functional dentistry and how something as seemingly...
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Episode 147: How DNA Shapes The Way You Sleep
Healthy Sleep Revolution
In this episode, let's dive deep into a topic that could revolutionize your nightly routine—sleep genetics. 🧬😴 You’ve heard the usual sleep tips: skip the caffeine, stick to a routine, cut down screen time... but what if the real secret to better sleep is already inside you? Let's break down: - How your genes influence your circadian rhythm - What your chronotype says about your natural sleep patterns - The surprising genetic links to sleep disorders like insomnia and sleep apnea - Why personalized, DNA-based sleep insights are the future of sleep health -...
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Episode 146: How Aligner Therapy Impacts Airway Health with Dr. Meenal Patel
Healthy Sleep Revolution
What happens when a general dentist becomes passionate about aligner therapy and sleep medicine? In this inspiring and eye-opening episode, Dr. Meghna Dassani welcomes Dr. Meenal Patel—friend, colleague, and fellow dental sleep advocate—to the Healthy Sleep Revolution Podcast. Dr. Meenal shares her journey from dental school to building a thriving private practice in Cary, North Carolina, with a strong emphasis on total patient wellness. Learn how she’s using advanced technology, aligner therapy, and sleep-disordered breathing screenings to uncover the hidden signs of airway issues—and...
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Episode 145: Beyond the Bite: Sleep Apnea Signs in Dentistry with Dr. Sirisha Bhandaru
Healthy Sleep Revolution
In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Sirisha Bhandaru to explore the fascinating connection between oral health and sleep-disordered breathing. From jaw structure to teeth grinding, the mouth holds valuable clues about sleep apnea—clues that could lead to life-changing diagnoses. Dr. Bhandaru shares her expertise on how dentists play a crucial role in identifying sleep issues, what warning signs patients should be aware of, and how early intervention can improve overall health. Whether you’re a dental professional or someone struggling with sleep, this episode is packed with insights you...
info_outlineIn today’s enlightening episode of The Healthy Sleep Revolution, Dr. Meghna Dassani sits down with Dr. Nimisha Somaiya, the heart behind Seva Dental in Bellbrook, Ohio. With a unique blend of clinical expertise and a deeply personal journey into sleep-disordered breathing, Dr. Somaiya shares how incorporating sleep medicine into her dental practice has transformed not only her own life and her family's health—but is now changing the lives of her patients as well.
This isn’t just a conversation about straight teeth—it’s about functional dentistry and how something as seemingly cosmetic as Invisalign can have life-changing impacts when used with intention. You’ll discover how airway-focused dentistry plays a vital role in supporting proper tongue posture, creating space for better breathing, and ultimately helping to address conditions like obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- Why crowding of the teeth isn't just an aesthetic issue—it’s an airway issue
- How functional orthodontics like Invisalign can create space for the tongue and improve breathing
- The importance of proper tongue posture and ideal oral resting posture
- Why snoring, grinding, and bedwetting in kids should never be ignored
- The variety of effective treatment options available beyond CPAP therapy
- How dental professionals can be key allies in identifying and treating sleep apnea
Top 3 Takeaways from Dr. Somaiya:
- Parents, pay attention to your child’s sleep habits – Snoring, grinding, and hyperactivity are warning signs, not phases they’ll “grow out of.”
- Don’t ignore a sleep apnea diagnosis – If CPAP isn’t working for you, there are alternatives like oral appliance therapy that can help you breathe and sleep better.
- Be your own advocate – If your doctor isn’t taking your symptoms seriously, keep pushing. Find a provider who listens and offers solutions tailored to your needs.
About Dr. Nimisha Somaiya
Dr. Nimisha Somaiya is an airway-focused dentist and passionate advocate for whole-person, patient-centered care. As the founder of Seva Dental in Bellbrook, Ohio, she is known for her calming presence and commitment to improving her patients’ lives through better breathing, sleep, and wellness. “Seva,” meaning “service” in her native language, reflects the compassionate philosophy at the heart of her practice.
Originally trained at one of India’s top dental schools, Dr. Somaiya moved to the U.S. in 2001, completed advanced training at Southern Illinois University, and earned IV sedation certification during her hospital residency at Miami Valley Hospital. She is a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry (FAGD), a distinction held by fewer than 6% of U.S. dentists.
Her areas of expertise include:
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Airway and sleep dentistry
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Invisalign® and airway-conscious orthodontics
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IV sedation and full-mouth rehabilitation
Dr. Somaiya has pursued extensive training through the Clinical Mastery Series and various airway-focused programs to stay on the leading edge of dental care. A former President of the Dayton Dental Society and a 2015 Dayton Business Journal “40 Under 40” honoree, she remains actively involved in her professional and local communities.
Outside the clinic, she enjoys traveling, gardening, hiking, cooking with her family, and practicing mindfulness.
Connect with Dr. Nimisha Somaiya
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sevadental/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SevaDental/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SevaDental
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sevadental
NextDoor: https://nextdoor.com/pages/seva-dental-bellbrook-oh/
Linked In: Seva Dental: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sevadental
Dr. Nimisha Somaiya: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nimishasomaiya/
About Meghna Dassani
Dr. Meghna Dassani is passionate about promoting healthy sleep through dental practices. In following the ADA’s 2017 guideline on sleep apnea screening and treatment, she has helped many children and adults improve their sleep, their breathing, and their lives. Her books and seminars help parents and practitioners understand the essential roles of the tongue, palate, and jaw in promoting healthy sleep.
Connect with Dr. Meghna Dassani
Website: https://www.meghnadassani.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/healthysleeprevolution
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healthysleeprevolution/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9Lh_n7xmbhQVPGQrSjBIrw
Get a copy of Airway is Life: https://www.airwayislife.com