Ensuring Healthy Sleep and Breathing for Kids

Nurturing Healthy Sleep and Breathing in Kids

Quality, restorative sleep coupled with effective nasal breathing are vital for your child’s development and daily functioning. Sleep disordered breathing can lead to significant health complications, including developmental delays, behavioral problems, and decreased academic performance.

Signs and Symptoms to Watch For:

Persistent snoring or noisy breathing during sleep
Dark circles under the eyes, appearing unrested
Restless sleep and Bedwetting
Mouth breathing, both during the day and at night
Poor attention span or behavioral issues

Importance of Nasal Breathing

Nasal breathing is essential for filtering and warming inhaled air, promoting better gas exchange, and supporting overall respiratory health. Encouraging this natural breathing method can drastically improve sleep quality and overall health. Keeping noses clean and free to breathe can have a dramatic positive impact on overall health. Proper nasal hygiene should be an important part of our daily routine.

Why is nasal breathing good and mouth breathing a problem? Studies suggest that children who mouth breathe may experience behavioral issues similar to ADHD. Mouth breathing should be considered as a differential diagnosis, or at least a modifiable contributing factor of ADHD. We are very aware of the effect of mouth breathing and its potential detrimental effects on a child’s behavior and health. A proper diagnosis is critical to provide the proper treatment.

Persistent mouth breathing can lead to an increase in cavities, snoring, and risk of respiratory infections, as well as potentially contributing to facial growth and development problems and misaligned teeth or malocclusion.

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Assessment: Comprehensive and Collaborative

A comprehensive evaluation includes a thorough clinical evaluation, as well as a review of signs and symptoms as reported by patients and parents. We gather photos, measurements, and appropriate imaging to help determine the need for care.

Our comprehensive assessment includes a CBCT (Cone Beam Computed Tomography) scan to accurately visualize your child’s jaws and airway.

This detailed imaging helps us diagnose underlying issues with precision. All images are read by Dr. Buehler as well as a Board Certified Dental Radiologist. All results are reviewed with patients and parents so that appropriate referrals can be recommended. At Breathe for Foundational Development we focus on the treatment of underdeveloped jaws and restricted tethered oral tissues. We realize that what we do is only a piece of the puzzle and so we rely on the expertise of other providers to establish a holistic approach to care.

Collaboration is Key:

We work closely with a network of specialists to ensure comprehensive care:

Allergists
Bodyworkers
Chiropractors
Cranial Sacral Therapists
Ear Nose and Throat Physicians
Feeding Specialists
Functional Medicine Providers

Myofunctional Therapists
Orthodontists
Occupational Therapists
Physical Therapists
Pediatricians and Family Physicians
Sleep Specialists
Speech Language Pathologists

Setting the Stage for Lifelong Wellness

Addressing breathing and sleep issues early is crucial, as it can significantly influence the course of a child’s development, prevent severe health complications, and support their growth and achievement of developmental milestones. Early intervention is not just recommended—it’s essential.

Expansive Airway Orthodontics

As the child grows, it is important that the airway remains open and properly aligned. By intervening early with expansive airway orthodontics, we harness the body’s natural growth processes to correct and enhance structural development, preventing more complex issues later in life.

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Custom-fit Palatal Expanders:

These devices are used to widen the upper jaw in children, which makes more room for the tongue and can increase the size of the nasal cavity and improve nasal airflow.

Clear Aligners:

Tailored and suited to each patient’s needs, these alternatives to traditional braces gently guide teeth into optimal alignment, improving jaw positioning and improved tongue space.

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Addressing RTOTs

Restricted Tethered Oral Tissues (RTOTs) in children is a condition where tight bands of tissue restrict the movement of the tongue or lip also referred to as a lip- or tongue-tie. Addressing RTOTs is crucial for ensuring that a child can eat, speak, and breathe correctly.

Signs Your Child Might Have RTOTs:

Difficulty with speech clarity
Challenges with chewing or swallowing
Abnormal dental jaw development due to restricted tongue movement
Lip incompetence
Improper oral rest posture or orofacial myofunctional disorders

Assessment and Release of RTOTs:

We perform a careful examination followed by a precise release procedure when necessary, using the latest techniques to ensure minimal discomfort and easy recovery.

Collaborative Care: Beyond the Basics

Is Your Child Ready for Better Health?

Contact us at Breathe for Foundational Development to discover how our specialized care can open the door to improved sleep, better breathing, and a healthier future.

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