PARENT'S PORTAL

The consequences of a child's poor oral health go far beyond tooth decay and gum disease. Oral health also encompasses jaw alignment and oral cavity --- both of which can impact a child's ability to breathe properly. Poor oral health, of any kind, affects a child's long-term emotional, mental, and physical well-being.

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Mouth breathing (often caused due airway dysfunction) can have long-term impacts on both their oral and long-term health. Mouth breathing causes the mouth to dry out, which in turn, creates a damaging effect on the normal process or your oral cavity. A dry mouth means that saliva cannot perform the role it's meant to in your child's mouth. What is the role of saliva? It's there to protect teeth and gums by neutralizing harmful acids. It also acts as a protective barrier, preventing bacteria from growing in the mouth.

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There is nothing normal or cute about kids who snore. Many children who mouth breathe during the day sleep with their mouths open at night. Why? Sleep relaxes the muscles that support the airways during the day. Consequently, kids who mouth breathe during the day probably snore at night.

Especially at a young age, mouth breathing can change the structure and development of a child's face. There are also physical signs such as an inability to seal lips, dark circles under the eyes, a long face, an open bite, a high or narrowing palate, or a sudden change in posture.

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In addition to focusing on your child's teeth, an airway-centric dentist will monitor and focus care on more complex concerns related to your child's bit, palate, and jaw --- all of which can affect how your child breathes.