About Yan

Yan Liu, AOMT-C

Yan’s journey into Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy began with curiosity and a lot of unanswered questions.

After graduating with multiple accolades from the Dental Hygiene program at Shoreline Community College in 2016, Yan began working with patients and quickly developed a strong interest in periodontal disease. Like many dental professionals, she was trained to focus on treating dental biofilm and educating patients about oral hygiene. Yet over time, she noticed something that didn’t quite make sense.

Some patients developed periodontal disease despite excellent oral care, while others carried the same bacteria but never showed symptoms. Mouth breathing was often mentioned as a contributing factor, but it raised even more questions for her. Why do some people develop mouth breathing while others do not? What causes malocclusion in the first place? Why do some orthodontic treatments relapse? And why do some people develop enlarged tonsils or airway issues while others never do?

These questions stayed with Yan for years.

Everything changed when she spoke with an Orofacial Myofunctional Therapist who explained how many dental and airway problems can be connected to oral habits, muscle function, airway development, and congenital conditions such as tongue-tie or lip-tie. In that moment, Yan realized she had discovered the missing piece she had been searching for since dental school.

Inspired by this new perspective, Yan began pursuing advanced training in Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy. She became certified through the Academy of Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (AOMT) and continued expanding her knowledge through programs such as Myo Mentor, The Breathe Institute Myo workshop, Buteyko breathing course, and other myofunctional therapy courses. She also completed specialized training in intraoral massage and TMJ workshops to better understand the relationship between breathing, muscle function, and overall health.

Today, Yan takes a holistic approach to oral health looking beyond teeth and gums to understand how breathing, muscle function, and development influence long-term health.

As a first-generation Chinese immigrant living in the Seattle area, Yan is fluent in Mandarin, Cantonese, and English. She is passionate about making Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy more accessible, particularly within minority communities where awareness of airway health and functional therapy is still limited.

Yan is passionate about helping patients uncover the root causes of their health challenges and guiding them toward meaningful, lasting change.