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Airway & Sleep
When a child breathes through their mouth, it can affect sleep, focus, and how the face grows.
Why Mouth Breathing Is Worth Addressing Occasional mouth breathing during a cold is normal. Constant mouth breathing is worth looking into, because over time it can affect a child in several ways: disturbed sleep and daytime tiredness, a higher chance of cavities from a dry mouth, changes in how the face and jaw grow, and crowded or misaligned teeth. Catching it early gives the best chance to guide healthy development.
Because the causes vary, the first step is finding out which apply to your child.
How Airway Orthodontics Helps After evaluating your child’s breathing, jaw, and bite, Dr. Kotak may recommend early orthodontic treatment where it can help, such as a palatal expander to widen a narrow jaw and open up nasal airflow, or myofunctional therapy to retrain tongue posture and breathing habits. Where the cause is medical, such as enlarged tonsils or allergies, we will point you to the right physician and coordinate care. Link: Airway Orthodontics
Occasional mouth breathing is normal, but constant mouth breathing is worth evaluating. Over time it can affect sleep, raise cavity risk, and influence how the jaw and face grow.
In many cases, yes. Where a narrow jaw or oral habits are involved, treatment like a palatal expander or myofunctional therapy can help. Where the cause is medical, we coordinate with your child’s doctor.
Earlier is better, since the jaw and airway develop quickly in childhood. If you notice constant mouth breathing, it is worth an evaluation.
