Oral Health
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 growth, 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.
Mouth breathing, often caused by airway dysfunction, can have long-term impacts on oral and microbiome health. It dries out the mouth, which in turn prevents saliva from protecting teeth and gums, neutralizing harmful acids, and acting as a barrier against bacteria.
Snoring in children is not normal or cute. Children who mouth breathe during the day sleep with their mouths open at night. Sleep relaxes the muscles that support the airways, leading to snoring. Mouth breathing can change the structure and development of a child's face and result in physical signs like 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.
An airway-centric dentist will monitor and address concerns related to your child's bite, palate, and jaw — all of which can affect how your child breathes and sleeps.
