Do you snore, toss and turn at night, or seem constantly tired despite getting enough sleep? The unexpected culprit might be hiding in plain sight: the shape of your palate. That high arch in the roof of your mouth isn’t just a dental curiosity; it could signify restrictions in your ability to breathe correctly, affecting everything from your sleep quality to your daytime energy levels. This often-overlooked structural issue can have far-reaching effects on your health and quality of life.
At Airway Dental and More, we understand how a high-arched palate can significantly impact your airway health. Dr. Neil Stevenson and our team specialize in identifying the underlying causes of this developmental abnormality and creating personalized treatment plans that help restore proper oral function and improve your breathing. Through our comprehensive airway-focused approach, we work to address not only the symptoms but also the root causes of your breathing difficulties, helping you achieve better nasal airflow and improved sleep patterns.
What Is a High-Arched Palate?
A high-arched palate is a developmental, structural abnormality caused by improper tongue rest posture and function. When you consistently position your tongue incorrectly, it alters the natural growth pattern of the palate, allowing the cheeks and lips to push the arches inward and upward. As a result, the palate becomes narrower and higher rather than properly developed.
This abnormal growth pattern can narrow the nasal passages in width and height, thus restricting airflow. The relationship between the palate and breathing is direct, as the roof of your mouth also influences how the floor of your nasal cavity forms. When the palate develops with excessive height or narrowness, it reduces the space available for airflow through the nose.
4 Ways High-Arched Palates Affect Breathing
A high-arched palate can impact your breathing in several significant ways, including:
Restricted Nasal Airflow
The narrowed nasal passages make it physically more challenging for air to flow freely, requiring more effort to breathe through the nose.
Mouth Breathing
When nasal breathing becomes difficult, we naturally compensate by breathing through our mouths. However, proper nasal breathing supplies the lungs with warmed, moistened, cleaned, and sanitized air. Chronic mouth breathing delivers cold, dirty, dry, unsanitized air directly to the airway and lungs, leading to dry mouth, gum disease, chronically infected tonsils, and can indicate an obstructed nasal passage.
Sleep Disruption
Breathing difficulties often worsen during sleep when muscle tone naturally decreases. This can lead to snoring, restless sleep, or even sleep apnea in severe cases. According to the National Library of Medicine, sleep apnea affects over 22 million Americans, highlighting how common sleep-related breathing disorders have become.
Reduced Oxygen Intake
The increased breathing effort required can result in decreased oxygen levels, potentially affecting energy levels, focus, and overall development.
It’s important to note that these breathing difficulties impact more than just sleep; they can also affect daytime functioning, potentially influencing behavior, work performance, and overall quality of life.
Recognizing the Signs
Some potential indicators that a high-arched palate may be affecting your breathing include:
- Consistent mouth breathing, especially during rest or sleep
- Snoring or noisy breathing during sleep
- Restless sleep or unusual sleeping positions (such as sleeping with the neck extended)
- Daytime fatigue despite adequate sleep hours
- Difficulty concentrating or behavioral issues
- Recurring nasal congestion without obvious illness
- A visible high arch in the roof of the mouth
Identifying these signs early allows for more effective intervention and potentially prevents the development of more serious breathing issues later in life.
Treatment Approaches for High-Arched Palates
Treatment for high-arched palates focuses on addressing both the structural issue and any resulting breathing problems. Some effective approaches include arch development, orthodontic appliances, myofunctional therapy, and dental sleep devices.
Orthodontic Appliances
Orthodontic appliances such as expanders and arch development devices can help grow the palate and create more space in the oral cavity. These appliances aid in increasing the size of the nasal cavity, facilitating better tongue posture and nasal airflow.
Myofunctional Therapy
Myofunctional therapy includes exercises that strengthen the oral and facial muscles, helping to correct tongue position, function and enhance proper breathing patterns. This therapy works well alongside orthodontic treatments for comprehensive improvement.
Dental Sleep Devices
Dental sleep devices, similar to mouthguards, may be worn during sleep to adjust the position of the lower jaw and tongue, increasing the airway’s opening and improving nighttime breathing.
At Airway Dental and More, our approach is always tailored to each patient’s specific needs, considering their age, the severity of the palatal issue, and any accompanying symptoms.
Trust Airway Dental and More for Your Breathing Difficulties
At Airway Dental and More, we aim to provide comprehensive care for those experiencing airway-related issues. Our team is experienced in using diagnostic tools such as Cone Beam Computed Tomography scans to evaluate the structures of the airway and develop targeted treatment plans.
We believe in taking a proactive approach to your breathing health. If you notice signs of breathing difficulties or have concerns about your oral health, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with us. Our knowledge in airway dentistry allows us to offer treatments that address not just the symptoms but the root causes of breathing difficulties. To learn more or schedule an appointment, call us at (904) 268-4466 or contact us through our contact form.
