By Dr. Stephanie Kinsey, Palencia Dental
Can I share something with you that I’ve learned over the years—not just as a dentist, but as someone who genuinely cares about the people who sit in my chair? Many of us are carrying far more than we let on. Stress, anxiety, depression—they don’t just stay tucked away in our minds. They show up in our bodies. And one of the first places I often see it is in the mouth.
That’s why whole-patient care isn’t just a philosophy for me—it’s the heartbeat of everything we do at Palencia Dental. When someone comes in with jaw pain, cracked teeth, or signs of nighttime grinding, we always do a full dental assessment. But I also take a moment to ask about sleep, stress, and life. Because I’ve learned that oral health issues are often the symptom—not the root. And I can’t count how many times someone has quietly shared they’ve been overwhelmed, depressed, anxious, or going through something hard. Maybe they haven’t been brushing like they used to, or they feel embarrassed about the state of their mouth. Every time, I respond with the same message: You’re not alone, and you’re safe here.
Let’s talk about sleep for a moment, because it’s one of the most overlooked links in this whole conversation. Poor sleep isn’t just inconvenient—it’s harmful. It impacts your brain’s ability to regulate emotions, your body’s ability to recover, and your ability to handle daily stress. It can make anxiety feel worse. And when you don’t sleep well for weeks or months—or even years—it begins to take a toll in ways you may not even realize. If you have sleep-disordered breathing, like obstructive sleep apnea, you could be waking up hundreds of times a night without ever remembering it. And that kind of disruption slowly chips away at your resilience.
It becomes a vicious cycle: exhaustion leads to anxiety, anxiety worsens your sleep, and the tension spills into your jaw, your bite, your teeth, and even your gums. Maybe you clench without realizing it. Maybe you grind so much your molars are flattening or cracking. Maybe you develop chronic TMJ symptoms or tension headaches that make even eating painful. It’s real, and I see it all the time.
That’s why, over the past few years, we’ve worked hard to deepen our focus on airway-centered care. Through our training with The Vivos Institute®, we now offer advanced screening and treatment for sleep-disordered breathing and airway issues—right from the dental chair. With the Vivos System, we can help correct the underlying cause of many sleep and breathing challenges without surgery, without a CPAP, and in many cases, permanently. It’s one of the most life-changing services we provide, because when patients finally start sleeping again—really sleeping—their entire lives begin to change. Their minds are clearer. Their moods stabilize. Their pain improves. And yes, their dental health gets better too.
And while I’m being honest with you, let me say this: the warm cookies, the blankets, the wine and beer we offer—none of it is a gimmick. It’s not for show. It’s because we know that you might not take time for yourself otherwise. You may not be used to feeling cared for. And if we can give you a moment of comfort, of calm, of kindness—that might just be the beginning of your healing. You deserve that. We all do.
So if life has knocked you around lately, if your smile has suffered, if you’ve felt too ashamed or overwhelmed to make an appointment, I want you to hear this: it’s okay. You can start fresh. You can start small. And you can start with us. Whether we’re helping you restore your smile, relieve your jaw pain, sleep better, or simply feel human again—we’re with you. One step at a time. Because at Palencia Dental, we don’t just fix teeth. We care for people. And your story matters here.
Dr. Stephanie Kinsey is the owner and lead provider at Palencia Dental in St. Augustine, FL. She specializes in airway-focused dentistry, TMJ therapy, cosmetic care, general dentistry, and sleep-disordered breathing solutions using the Vivos System. Her mission is to provide whole-patient care in a space where people feel genuinely seen, safe, and supported—mind, body, and smile.
Contact Palencia Dental
Ready to prioritize your dental health? Call Palencia Dental at 904-826-4343 or visit their website at Palencia Dental to schedule your appointment. Experience the difference personalized care can make in your dental journey.
