When your child struggles with restless nights, frequent illness, or behavioral challenges, the underlying cause might be more complex than you think. Unfortunately, airway issues in children often present through subtle signs that parents may initially attribute to other causes. However, recognizing these indicators early and seeking effective treatment can lead to considerable improvements in your child’s health, development, and overall quality of life.
At Airway Dental and More, Dr. Neil K. Stevenson understands the profound impact that airway problems can have on a child’s well-being. With years of experience in airway-focused dentistry and a deep commitment to comprehensive care, our practice helps families identify and address these often-overlooked issues that can significantly affect a child’s growth and development.
Common Signs of Pediatric Airway Problems
Children with airway issues may exhibit a range of symptoms that impact their sleep, behavior, and physical development. Understanding these warning signs can help you decide if and when professional evaluation is necessary.
Sleep-Related Indicators
Sleep disturbances often provide the clearest evidence of airway problems in children. Enlarged tonsils and adenoids are frequently responsible for obstructive sleep apnea in children, as these tissues can significantly block the airway during sleep. Parents may notice loud snoring, gasping during sleep, or frequent awakening throughout the night.
Mouth breathing during sleep serves as another significant warning sign. Research shows sleep-disordered breathing affects approximately 1-5% of children, with mouth breathing being a standard indicator of these conditions.
When children breathe naturally through their nose, their lungs receive air that has been properly warmed, humidified, filtered, and purified. However, persistent mouth breathing bypasses this natural filtration system, allowing unprocessed air to enter the respiratory system directly. This can result in oral dryness and periodontal problems, often signaling underlying issues such as blocked nasal passages or swollen adenoid tissue.
Physical and Developmental Signs
A high-arched palate represents a developmental, structural abnormality caused by poor tongue rest posture and function. This irregular growth pattern can narrow the nasal passages in both width and height, thereby restricting airflow and potentially leading to breathing difficulties.
Tongue tie (ankyloglossia) is a condition in which a tight band of tissue binds the bottom of the tongue to the floor of the mouth, affecting breathing, oral development, and proper oral rest posture. Children with this condition may experience difficulties with feeding, speech development, and maintaining an adequate tongue position.
Prolonged thumb sucking can also distort the shape of the oral cavity and jaw, resulting in malocclusions and potential airway issues. While thumb sucking is normal in very young children, persistence beyond age four may indicate compensatory behavior related to airway concerns.
Behavioral and Health Indicators
Teeth grinding (bruxism) is often a sign of an underlying airway issue and can also lead to additional dental problems if left unaddressed. Children may grind their teeth unconsciously as their bodies attempt to open the airway during sleep.
Frequent respiratory infections, difficulty concentrating, hyperactivity, or aggressive behavior may also signal airway problems. Children with compromised airways often experience poor sleep quality, which directly impacts their mood, attention span, and immune system function.
Additionally, a deviated septum can restrict airflow in and out of the nasal passages, often leading to mouth breathing and subsequent complications.
Treatment Approaches for Pediatric Airway Issues
Early intervention provides the best outcomes for children with airway problems. Modern treatment approaches focus on addressing the root causes rather than simply managing symptoms.
Orthodontic Appliances
Orthodontic appliances, such as expanders and arch development devices, can help grow the palate and correct malocclusions that contribute to airway obstruction. These appliances help create more space in the mouth and increase the size of the nasal cavity, thereby facilitating better tongue posture and nasal airflow.
Myofunctional Therapy
Myofunctional therapy involves exercises and stretches that strengthen the muscles of the mouth and face, promoting overall facial health. It helps correct the tongue’s position, enhances swallowing, and can improve breathing habits through targeted muscle training and behavioral modification.
Surgical Treatments
For severe cases, tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy may be suggested when these structures significantly block the airway. CPAP therapy for severe cases, especially in obstructive sleep apnea, involves continuous positive airway pressure machines that may be prescribed to ensure the airway remains open during sleep.
Behavioral Changes
Behavioral modifications focus on encouraging positive habits, such as switching from mouth breathing to nasal breathing and avoiding thumb sucking or pacifier use. Dental sleep devices, similar to mouthguards, are worn during sleep to alter the placement of the lower jaw and tongue, expanding the airway’s opening.
Sleep Studies
Take-home sleep studies and diagnostics provide in-depth insights into the anatomical and functional pathways of the airway. Diagnostic tools, such as cone-beam computed tomography scans, rhinometry, pharyngometry, and take-home sleep studies, are used to create comprehensive treatment plans.
Get Professional Help for Your Child’s Airway Health
Recognizing the signs of airway issues in your child represents the first step toward improving their health and quality of life. Dr. Neil K. Stevenson combines advanced diagnostic technology with a compassionate, family-centered approach to provide comprehensive airway evaluations and treatment plans tailored to each child’s specific needs.
Our practice utilizes cutting-edge technology, including 3D printers and scanners, for customized treatments, sleep studies, and airway assessments using WatchPAT, a pharyngometer, and a rhinometer to pinpoint health challenges. We believe in creating natural harmony in oral health through our commitment to genuine care and comprehensive dental and airway services. To schedule a consultation and hear more about how we can help your child breathe more easily and sleep more soundly, please call us at (904) 268-4466 or contact us through our online form.