Dr. Weston Price’s Dietary Principles: Supporting Healthy Faces and Jaws

Dr. Weston Price’s Dietary Principles: Supporting Healthy Faces and Jaws

As parents, we're always striving to give our kids the best possible start in life, but please forgive yourself if you're just discovering the link between facial development and specific diets. Surprisingly, the foods our kids eat can actually influence their facial growth and structure. This idea was central to Dr. Weston Price’s research back in the 1930s, and his findings still offer valuable insights today.

At Myofunctional Mama, we’re passionate about exploring natural methods, including myofunctional therapy and proper nutrition, to support overall well-being. Let’s take a closer look at Dr. Price’s dietary principles and how they can relate to fostering healthy facial development.

Who Was Dr. Weston Price?

Dr. Weston Price was a Canadian dentist who dedicated his life to understanding why dental issues, such as crooked teeth and cavities, were so widespread in modern societies. To find answers, he travelled extensively, visiting isolated indigenous communities across the globe—from the Swiss Alps to the remote islands of the Pacific. He observed people who still lived on traditional diets and compared them to those who had adopted modern processed foods. His discoveries were profound, offering a glimpse into how nutrient-rich diets supported broader faces, healthier teeth, and well-developed jaws. Price's work wasn’t just scientific; he was deeply motivated by a desire to understand the true impact of modern diets on human health and how to reverse their damaging effects.

Why Does Nutrition Matter for Facial Development?

Nutrition is a key factor that can help support strong facial structures. Dr. Price’s research showed that broad, well-formed jaws and a healthy facial structure are not solely based on genetics. In fact, they’re heavily influenced by the foods we eat, especially during childhood when growth and development are at their peak. A nutrient-rich diet can support the growth of a wide dental arch, allowing enough space for teeth to align naturally and for the jaws to develop in balance.

For parents exploring options like myofunctional exercises for improving posture or mouth breathing solutions, combining these therapies with Dr. Price’s dietary principles can create a strong foundation for healthy growth.

Dr. Weston Price’s Key Dietary Principles

Here are some of Dr. Price’s main dietary principles that could support healthy facial development, based on his research:

1. Whole, Unprocessed Foods

Dr. Price found that traditional diets were free from the refined sugars and processed oils common in modern diets. Instead, people consumed nutrient-dense whole foods, which supplied essential nutrients that supported the growth of strong bones and healthy teeth.

2. Fat-Soluble Vitamins (A, D, K2)

Dr. Price observed that fat-soluble vitamins—especially vitamins A, D, and K2—played a vital role in bone development, including the bones of the face and jaw. These vitamins help guide calcium to the teeth and bones, contributing to proper development.

Some foods rich in these vitamins include:

• Liver and organ meats

• Egg yolks from pasture-raised chickens

• Cod liver oil

• Full-fat dairy from grass-fed animals

For those interested in diet tips for better facial growth or learning more about how these nutrients can influence jaw and facial development, focusing on these vitamin-rich foods can make a big difference.

3. High-Quality Animal Fats

Traditional diets didn’t shy away from natural animal fats like butter, lard, and tallow. These fats helped with the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, supporting proper bone development. Dr. Price noted that these types of fats were essential for healthy growth, especially in children.

4. Fermented and Raw Foods

Dr. Price found that many traditional diets included raw or fermented foods, which preserved their nutritional value and promoted better digestion. Fermented foods like kefir and sauerkraut, in particular, offer beneficial bacteria that support overall gut health—an important factor in healthy development.

5. Bone Broths

Bone broths were a staple in the diets Dr. Price studied, providing minerals like calcium and phosphorus, along with collagen, which supports strong bones and connective tissue. Incorporating bone broth into your meals can be a simple way to offer these nutrients, contributing to healthy facial growth.

The Link Between Nutrition and Facial Development

Dr. Price’s dietary principles align with the goals of myofunctional therapy, which focuses on improving oral posture, breathing, and muscle function. Together, proper nutrition and therapy can work to support the development of healthy facial structures.

For those researching myofunctional therapy for mouth breathing or tongue exercises to prevent orthodontic issues, combining therapy with a nutrient-rich diet may help support these goals. Dr. Price’s work highlights how nutrition plays a role in the overall growth of the face and jaw. For example:

• Nasal breathing: A well-formed jaw promotes better nasal airflow.

• Tongue posture: A broad dental arch provides space for the tongue to rest properly, which may support correct swallowing and oral posture.

How You Can Incorporate Dr. Price’s Principles

It doesn’t have to be complicated to start applying Dr. Price’s principles to your family’s meals. Simple changes, like swapping processed snacks for nutrient-dense options or including fermented foods, can make a difference in providing key nutrients that support overall development.

Here are some small changes you could consider:

• Swap out processed snacks for whole food alternatives like boiled eggs or raw cheese.

• Include fermented foods like kefir or sauerkraut in your meals to promote healthy digestion.

• Use high-quality animal fats, like butter from grass-fed cows, instead of vegetable oils.

• Try incorporating bone broths or organ meats, or consider supplements like cod liver oil for those essential fat-soluble vitamins.

Supporting Development with Nutrition

Dr. Weston Price’s research continues to offer valuable insights into the role of nutrition in supporting healthy growth and development. A nutrient-dense diet that includes whole foods, fat-soluble vitamins, and natural fats can play a key role in promoting healthy facial structures.

While Myofunctional Mama explores ways to support oral and facial development naturally, it’s important to remember that this information is simply one piece of the puzzle. Whether you’re curious about orthotropics vs orthodontics for facial growth or looking for myofunctional therapy tools, making mindful adjustments to nutrition and incorporating myofunctional therapy into your routine can provide your family with a foundation for overall well-being.