Mouth-breathing and poor facial development caused by enlarged adenoids and tonsils, as well as lip-ties or tongue-ties, can lead to other serious health issues in children including higher risk of dental decay, periodontal disease, bad breath, and acidic wear on teeth; poor or fragmented sleep patterns; ADHD and other behavioral issues; increased severity of asthma; chronic sinus and/ or ear infections; and even pediatric high blood pressure.
Consideration of the position of the tongue in the mouth is also important. The tongue, acting as “nature’s retainer,” supports a child’s upper arch and allows for enough room so that all their teeth to come in as they should and where they should. A correctly positioned tongue also maintains facial bone development as your child ages and allows enough room for the nose to properly develop without deviations or obstructions. Incorrect facial bone development in children has been shown to lead to dental malocclusion and obstructive sleep apnea, which can lead to serious health problems later in life.
When caught early, poor facial muscle habits, including mouth-breathing and airway issues in children are highly treatable. While some conditions may require the expertise of a surgeon, such as the removal of adenoids and tonsils, and in some cases, orthographic (jaw) surgery, your dentist is able to address some of these issues from the comfort of the dental chair.
Your dentist routinely screens your children for lip-ties or tongue-ties, which can prevent your children from having proper tongue placement in the mouth. They can resolve lip-ties and tongue-ties with a simple and painless procedure right in their office. Orthodontic treatment (i.e. braces, retainers, etc) to treat teeth misalignments and palate expansions to encourage proper skeletal development, can lead to better facial structure outcomes as your child grows and prevent troublesome airway issues.
Taking preventive measures to avoid tooth decay and cavities is an important way to protect the health of your children’s teeth and gums. Understanding the importance of proper facial development and learning about the interventions which can correct issues early means you can help your children prevent more serious disease later in life. Working with your dental health care team, you can set your child up for a lifetime of happy, healthy smiles!