Over 40 years ago, when doubts about the scientific basis of my orthodontic training began creeping into my mind, I was able to shut them out. How could my instructors not have known that the faces would look worse when I finished treatment? Surely, they would have warned me!

This was long before I realized that breathing matters—and that the adequacy of a person’s airway depends on the position of their teeth and jaws. I pushed my doubts to the back of my mind, rationalizing that everyone else was still following the same teachings. But eventually, it became too obvious to ignore. I had to admit that many of the faces I was producing were less balanced and less attractive than when I began.

Humans don’t thrive in isolation, but that’s exactly what I faced when I publicly questioned what we were taught. Orthodontic colleagues shunned me. My Christmas card list got smaller. But over time, my openness allowed others to be open, too. I realized I wasn’t the only one with these thoughts.

I came to understand that the friends I lost weren’t true friends at all. In their place, I found new friends—stronger friendships—built on shared values. Many of them had faced similar resistance and had also become convinced that there had to be a better way. Over the years, these friends became my colleagues, working together to promote new ideas within the profession. Loneliness was replaced with a community of like-minded individuals committed to helping children grow healthier with better airways.

Public awareness has now reached a tipping point. James Nestor’s book, Breath, has been published in 37 languages and reached #6 on the New York Times Bestseller list. Some of my best friends now send me emails saying, “Thank you for saving my life.”

One of those emails each year is enough to erase any lingering feelings of loneliness.

Join me on this journey and see for yourself. You don’t need to feel alone.