Is Your Child’s Breathing Affecting Their Health?
If your child experiences frequent ear infections, allergies, sinus issues, or even acid reflux, it may be more than a passing concern. Many of these symptoms can actually be connected to how your child breathes. Breathing through the mouth or snoring at night can signal an obstructed airway, which is often linked to developmental issues with the airway or facial structure. Keep reading to learn more about how airway-focused orthodontics could help.
The Importance of Healthy Airway Development
Did you know that over two thirds of pediatric orthodontic patients have an airway disorder due to improper facial development? A child’s airway includes the mouth, nose, throat, and windpipe. When an airway doesn’t develop correctly, the child will often breathe through their mouth rather than their nose, leading to potential health problems and affecting their overall growth. An obstructed airway may contribute to:
- Chronic bad breath and gum disease
- Recurring sinus, ear, and throat infections
- Allergies and asthma
- Improper facial development
How Airway-Focused Orthodontics Can Help
Airway-focused orthodontics treats the underlying causes of breathing problems by promoting natural facial growth and airway development. Using custom-made dental appliances, we can gently widen your child’s jaw or expand their arches, encouraging proper facial growth and creating space for teeth to come in straight. This approach often prevents the need for traditional braces in the future.
Airway-focused orthodontics:
- Promote proper facial and jaw development
- Encourage healthier nose breathing
- Create room for teeth to grow in straight
- Foster a healthy, aligned bite
- Improve overall health by reducing recurring ENT issues
If you haven’t yet scheduled your child’s next appointment at our office located in Monroe, WI, we’d love to help you do so! We’re here to support their healthiest growth and development every step of the way.
