Breathing, Braces and a Whole Lot More by Dr. David Dobrowski, DDS

Photo demonstrates open airway.

Photo demonstrates closed airway

Is Your Child’s Block Airway Leading to Orthodontics and Major Medical Issues?

Before age 12, the growth of your child's face, jaws and cranium have already reached 80 to 90 percent completion. During these first dozen years in life, your child may have already developed deformation in their breathing that will lead to lifelong illnesses, such as anemia, obesity, diabetes, behavior disturbances, chronic ear and sinus infections, tinnitus (ringing of the ears), headaches, sleep apnea, cardiovascular disease with high blood pressure, risk of stroke, and even early death. Early signs of abnormal development in the face, mouth and jaws are gummy smiles, long and narrow faces, short or even pronounced jaws, runny noses, dark circles under the eyes, red nostrils, raspy sounds breathing, and crooked teeth, which all may lead to pain in the facial muscles (MFP) and temporomandibular joints (TMJ). The most obvious sign of a mouth breathing disorder, called airway obstruction, is a child who snores.

Dr. Yosh Johnson stated in a recent issue of the clinical journal of the Academy of General Dentistry,

"Children who mouth breathe typically do not sleep well, causing them to be tired during the day and possibly unable to concentrate on academics. If the child becomes frustrated at school, he or she may exhibit behavior problems." Dr. Johnson says, "Many of these children are misdiagnosed with attention deficit disorder (ADD) and hyperactivity."

Early diagnosis and treatment of airway obstruction disorders have very positive and beneficial effects on facial and dental development, and have been seen to reduce and avert both immediate social and long-term medical problems in the child, primarily by increasing the oxygen levels in the bloodstream and brain. Allergies, irregular nasal development, hypertrophic or enlarged growth of oral pharynx tissue including tonsils, adenoids, and turbinates all lead to malocclusion or bad dental bite. Therapy should begin as early as possible in your child's development to help coincide with normal growth patterns and ease the necessary treatment.

The team of doctors who understand the development of airway obstruction are in the best position to help your child overcome his or her mouth breathing and the disorder's many adverse effects. Even though we have the most advanced dental and medical care in the world, only those dentists and physicians who have expanded and continued their education through additional coursework and training have a proper grasp of facial bone growth with appropriate nasal and airway passage. Your child's early oral and long-term medical health depends on the relationship between these select and knowledgeable health care providers whom have working experience with orthopedic cranial development, beginning with your dentist, including both an orthodontist and an otolarygologist

(ENT – Ears, Nose and Throat physician).

Early recognition and therapy will help your child avoid lifelong problems that come with airway obstruction and mouth breathing, including not only dental malocclusion, but also facial pain and serious, chronic medical disorders.


* Photos taken from: http://www.tiredofcpap.com/Sleep_Apnea.html