Signs Your Child Might Need Airway Orthodontics

While most patients associate orthodontics with straightening teeth, our scope of work is much broader. We don’t stop at giving your child the perfect smile. Instead, we take a holistic approach to orthodontics, ensuring proper jaw development, better breathing, and restful sleep.

Some call it “airway orthodontics.” But to us, it’s simply taking the preventative steps your child needs to enjoy a healthy and comfortable life.

To better understand how we can help your child achieve a better smile while improving life quality, let's explore what airway orthodontics is and how it can benefit your family.

What Is Airway Orthodontics?

Unlike traditional orthodontics, which focuses mainly on straightening teeth and fixing bite issues, airway orthodontics takes a comprehensive approach to dental health.

Instead of deferring minor health issues until adulthood, we tackle them early, examining how your child’s jaw development, breathing patterns, and general oral health impact their overall well-being.

During our initial consultation, we might evaluate your child’s breathing patterns, focusing on tongue position, swallowing habits, and jaw growth patterns. We do this early in life to detect minor health and dental issues before they turn into sleep apnea, mouth breathing, or other concerns.

Common Signs Your Child Might Need Airway-Focused Dentistry

Mouth Breathing

Typically, humans breathe primarily through the nose. So, at first glance, mouth breathing may seem like nothing more than usual. The truth, however, is a bit more complicated.

When we breathe through our noses, tiny hairs called cilia keep us healthy by filtering out allergens and bacteria. Nose breathers also benefit from taking in moist air, which benefits the lungs and throat health. Unfortunately, mouth breathers typically inhale more pollutants and dryer air, which can cause chronic coughing and other respiratory issues.

Snoring & Sleep Apnea

Snoring and sleep apnea are other common signs your child may require airway orthodontics. While snoring is more disruptive than it is dangerous, sleep apnea is concerning as it is a condition that causes people to stop breathing while they sleep. This condition is not only irritating but reduces sleep quality.

Difficulty Swallowing

When we breathe through the mouth, the tongue rests low in the mouth instead of against the palate. If this habit goes untreated, children may develop an unnatural swallowing pattern where the tongue pushes forward instead of up. Over time, poor tongue posture can make eating and drinking difficult—another reason to learn more about airway-focused dentistry.

Crowded Teeth & Misalignment

Airway orthodontics can also benefit children by addressing oral health before permanent teeth come in. Our orthodontists will assess your child’s jaw development and breathing patterns early, using gentle expansion techniques to ensure space for teeth to align naturally.

Difficulty Concentrating

Ineffective breathing forces the body to work harder to take in adequate oxygen. This not only disrupts sleep but can cause brain fog, restlessness, and difficulty concentrating.

Airway-Focused Dentistry Treatment Options

To address these issues, our orthodontics specialists may recommend:

• Orthodontic appliances like palatal expanders, clear aligners, and custom retainers to improve breathing while also perfecting your child’s smile
• Myofunctional therapy to improve tongue posture and strengthen oral muscles
• Creating a more effective sleep schedule
• Breathing exercises to strengthen respiratory muscles and improve breathing habits

Again, our approach is holistic. So, while our custom-fit orthodontic appliances can certainly address immediate breathing concerns, we will take the time to adequately assess your child's overall health, lifestyle, and development patterns to create a comprehensive treatment plan.

Breathe Well, Live Better, Smile More

While many orthodontists focus on short-term results, our airway orthodontics experts take a comprehensive approach to your child’s oral development. By addressing minor oral health concerns now, we'll create a solid foundation that ensures improved sleep, better concentration, and a show-stopping smile that lasts a lifetime. Book an appointment now!