Orthodontic Treatment to Improve Airway & Correct Mouth Breathing
Did you know that healthy breathing is done through the nose?
We should all breathe thru our nose at rest– when reading a book, watching TV, working, doing homework, sleeping, etc. If we go up the stairs, or play soccer we will switch to mouth breathing and the same if we are sick or congested. Mouth breathing is a normal response to physical activity, nasal congestion, or short-term illness, but chronic mouth breathing can have serious health consequences. It can, in fact, be a sign of bigger problems such as obstructive sleep apnea and sleep-disordered breathing in kids. It can cause restless sleep, poor school performance, behavioral problems, and even lead to ADHD.
If you find yourself or your child breathing through your mouth often, especially at night, it may be a good idea to have an evaluation that can help identify any underlying issues and recommend appropriate treatment. Early intervention from an orthodontist can help ensure optimal development of the airway and jaws, promoting better sleep and better overall health for you or your child.
Mouth breathing can be detrimental to health for several reasons; some of the health impacts include:
- Mouth breathing can lead to the development of dry mouth and halitosis (bad breath) and an increased risk of cavities from a lack of saliva.
- Mouth breathing can impair the breathing function and contribute to an increased risk of respiratory issues or exacerbate issues with allergies or the sinuses because nasal breathing helps filter out dust, allergens, and pathogens, thus preventing them from reaching your lungs.
- Mouth breathing in children can lead to improper jaw development or tongue posture which can affect the alignment of the teeth and jaw, which can result in issues like overbites, underbites, and even changes in facial appearance over time.
- Mouth breathing is also one of the leading causes of snoring, and in some cases, it can even contribute to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
When there is harmony between the teeth, bite, jaw joints, tongue position and facial structure, the airway is generally unobstructed, which encourages nasal breathing. Nasal breathing is essential for good health in all ages and critical for proper craniofacial development, head posture and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) function in kids. While traditional orthodontics centers mainly on straightening the teeth, we are also specialists in assessing the entire dental and facial system, including the airway.
We offer airway evaluations for children and adults and these consultations focus on assessing the structure of the jaw, nasal passageway, and soft tissue (tonsils, adenoids, turbinate’s, tongue function) to identify potential issues like a restricted airway or poor breathing patterns, which can contribute to dental and orthodontic issues as well as sleep-disordered breathing. An airway evaluation is a review of the structure of the jaw, teeth, and airway, along with treatment solutions to address these issues.
Treatment to Help You Breathe Better
We treat children, teenagers, and adults with a variety of breathing and airway problems, including nasal obstruction. We do this through what’s known as maxillary expansion, which means expanding, or widening, the upper jaw and palate.
Maxillary expansion can often:
- Widen the floor of the nose (the palate, or roof of your mouth, is the floor of your nose)
- Create more space for the tongue
- Create more space for the permanent teeth to erupt centered in bone
- Open the posterior pharyngeal airway space, because the tongue has more room to come forward the specific appliance or technique our doctors use will depend on your age.
Early intervention through orthodontics can help ensure optimal development of the airway and jaws, promoting better sleep and overall health for your child. In adults, airway issues and obstructive sleep apnea are often connected to underdeveloped jaws and narrow airways, which can easily collapse or constrict during sleep. This is often combined with narrow nasal passages, making it hard to breathe through the nose, both while awake and asleep. In adults, despite the jaws being fully formed, orthodontic treatment can still significantly improve airway function, sleep quality, and overall well-being by addressing the underlying jaw structure, soft tissue, and bite issues that affect airflow. Proper treatment can alleviate symptoms and promote healthier breathing patterns.
To learn more and see how we can help you start breathing better -- SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION TODAY!
