At Growing Faces, we believe that every child deserves the best start to a healthy, balanced life. One of the most critical – yet often overlooked – aspects of health is airway development and how it affects your child’s breathing, facial growth, and overall well-being. Airway-focused orthodontics is a unique approach we use to help children grow in a way that supports clear breathing passages, healthy sleep, and a naturally aligned face. In this blog, we’ll explain how airway-focused orthodontics works, why it’s important, and how early treatment can make a big difference in your child’s life.
Understanding Airway-Focused Orthodontics
Airway-focused orthodontics takes a whole-health approach, prioritizing clear and functional breathing pathways in young, developing children. While traditional orthodontics often focuses on teeth alignment alone, airway-focused treatment looks beyond that to consider how the structure of the jaw, mouth, and face impact airway health and breathing patterns. By guiding the natural growth of these structures, we can support better breathing, restful sleep, and a healthy facial structure – all essential for your child’s well-being.
Why Airway Health is Essential for Growing Kids
When a child’s airway is healthy and clear, they can breathe effectively through their nose, which is vital for optimal oxygen intake, restful sleep, and natural jaw and facial growth. If the airway is restricted or obstructed, it often leads to mouth breathing, which can have long-term impacts on health and development.
Children who primarily breathe through their mouths may face issues like altered facial growth, restless sleep, concentration difficulties, and even behavioral concerns. At Growing Faces, we aim to address airway issues early so that your child can develop naturally, free from the complications that can arise from restricted breathing.
Signs Your Child May Benefit from Airway-Focused Orthodontics
Early identification of airway issues can be life-changing. Here are some signs that might indicate the need for an airway-focused evaluation:
- Mouth Breathing: If your child is primarily breathing through their mouth, particularly while they sleep, it could indicate airway restriction.
- Snoring or Noisy Breathing During Sleep: Children generally breathe quietly during sleep. If you notice snoring, it might mean their airway needs attention.
- Frequent Sore Throats or Tonsillitis: Recurring throat infections can signal that your child is compensating for an airway obstruction.
- Restless Sleep or Difficulty Focusing: Airway-related sleep problems can make sleep restless, which can lead to challenges in school and with behavior.
- Crowded Teeth or Bite Problems: When the jaw doesn’t develop fully, it can lead to crowded teeth and misalignment, both of which can affect the airway.
If you see these signs in your child, an evaluation with one of our airway-focused specialists can help identify and address any underlying concerns.
How Airway-Focused Orthodontics Supports Facial Development
Airway-focused orthodontics at Growing Faces involves looking at your child’s oral health in a broader context, considering how their airway, jaw, and teeth are developing. This approach includes treatments designed to guide the natural growth of the jaw and palate, helping to open airways and establish healthy breathing habits that support facial development.
Expanding the Palate
The width of a child’s palate is closely tied to the health of their airway. A narrow palate often leads to a restricted airway, which can encourage mouth breathing. We use gentle, child-friendly orthodontic devices to widen the palate, creating more space in the mouth and helping to open up the airway. As a result, your child can experience better nasal breathing and alignment, which supports a naturally balanced face.
Encouraging Nasal Breathing
Nasal breathing is crucial because it filters and humidifies air, protecting the lungs and supporting overall respiratory health. Airway-focused orthodontics encourages natural, healthy breathing habits. With improved airway function, we can help your child close their lips and breathe through their nose, which benefits their facial development and reduces the risk of future health issues.
Supporting Jaw Development and Alignment
In some cases, children’s jaws are too narrow or underdeveloped, which can restrict their airways and impact facial symmetry. Our airway-focused treatments can gently guide the growth of the jaw, creating a larger airway space and reducing the risk of sleep-disordered breathing. This also helps to align the teeth and jaw, supporting a natural, symmetrical look as your child grows.
Benefits of Airway-Focused Orthodontics
The advantages of airway-focused orthodontics are extensive. By helping your child develop healthy breathing habits early, you’re setting them up for long-term health benefits, including:
- Better Sleep Quality: With clear airways, your child can breathe easily, enjoy restful sleep, and feel refreshed, which supports learning and emotional health.
- Balanced Facial Growth: As we guide the jaw and palate to develop naturally, your child’s face can grow symmetrically, promoting a healthy and balanced appearance.
- Reduced Health Risks in the Future: Addressing airway health early can reduce the risk of conditions like sleep apnea and TMJ issues, setting your child up for a healthier adulthood.
- Fewer Orthodontic Complications: A well-developed jaw and palate reduce the risk of severe overcrowding, often making future orthodontic treatments less invasive and more effective.
When Should You Start Airway-Focused Orthodontics?
We recommend that children have their first airway-focused orthodontic evaluation around age 7. At this age, facial bones are still growing and can respond well to early treatment. The earlier we can address airway issues, the easier it is to guide your child’s development and set them up for a lifetime of healthy breathing.
Even if you’re not sure your child has airway issues, an evaluation at Growing Faces can provide peace of mind and give us the opportunity to spot any potential concerns early.
Schedule an Airway Evaluation at Growing Faces
Airway-focused orthodontics is a powerful way to support your child’s health, helping them grow with a clear airway, restful sleep, and a beautifully balanced face. If you’re noticing any signs of airway issues or have concerns about your child’s breathing or sleep, contact Growing Faces today to schedule an evaluation. Dr. Naomi Hillel is here to guide your child toward a healthier, happier future – one breath at a time.
