As a parent, it is no surprise that one of the most common concerns is the current state of your child’s oral and overall health. As they grow, they will experience a wide array of changes, many of which can positively or negatively impact their well-being, development, and ability to succeed academically. If your child is experiencing an obstruction in their airway in McKinney, they can be faced with a myriad of complications the longer they go without proper treatment. Dr. Justin and Dr. Sage want to help you avoid these potential problems by further explaining the many benefits that come with early detection, diagnosis, and treatment.
How Mouth Breathing Negatively Impacts Facial Development
One of the most common factors that can influence a child’s facial development is how well they breathe through the nose. When there is an obstruction in the airway, this can lead to changes in the way their tongue, jaw, and facial structure develop. You will likely notice your child breathing through their mouth when they sleep. As a result, their tongue will not rest in the appropriate position, causing an imbalance in their facial features that leads to inadequate growth of the upper jaw and an elongated lower jaw.
If the upper jaw is not fully formed, your child can be faced with poor posture, chronic snoring, sleep apnea, a deviated septum, and even poorly formed eye sockets.
The Benefits of Early Detection
Researchers have discovered that children with airway obstructions and an inability to breathe normally are more likely to develop Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). They can also experience more serious behavioral issues as well as low academic performance. To avoid these potential problems, it is imperative that you work with a pediatric dentist in McKinney to detect early signs your child may be experiencing airway and breathing issues at home.
Some of the most common symptoms include:
- Mouth breathing
- Deviated septum
- Chapped lips
- Poor posture of the head, neck, and shoulders
- Dark circles beneath the eyes
- Enlarge tonsils and/or adenoids
- Frequent ear infections
- Chronic sinus infections
- Teeth grinding and/or jaw clenching
- Bedwetting
- Loud snoring
- Difficulty swallowing
By allowing Dr. Justin and Dr. Sage to examine your child early on, they can check for any signs of facial development changes as well as discuss current oral hygiene habits performed at home. Through early detection, they can mitigate any potential factors that will negatively impact the way their facial structure develops. Dr. Justin and Dr. Sage can check for abnormalities and recommend the appropriate method of treatment to help restore normal growth and minimize the potential need for future jaw surgery.
While it may seem unfathomable that the nasal passage and airway can make such a dramatic difference to your child’s facial development, taking these proactive steps will allow you and your child’s dentist to prevent them from undergoing years of necessary orthodontic treatment and/or living with chronic jaw pain. Not to mention the significant (and positive) change it will make to their self-esteem.
Do not wait to seek treatment for your child’s airway or breathing issues. The moment you begin to suspect there is a problem, contact Dr. Justin or Dr. Sage. Your quick actions will help your child to not only enjoy a healthier smile but also breathe more freely at night.
About the Authors
As fathers and board-certified pediatric dentists, Dr. Justin Chan and Dr. Sage Yoo incorporate both holistic and children’s dentistry methods to improve both oral and overall health in young patients. Offering a wide array of comprehensive services, they will closely monitor your child’s growth and development to minimize the potential for problems and ensure a healthy transition into adolescence and adulthood. To learn more about our available services, visit our website or call (469) 301-3212.