Something most of us take for granted is being able to freely enjoy a breath of fresh air. Unfortunately, for some children, this is not possible. Proper air passage through the nostrils and back of the throat is critical to development of the facial complex, especially the upper jaw. Many children experience breathing difficulty, leading to improper growth and development. This can be caused by restricted nostrils, large, obstructing tonsils, large adenoid tissue, or a combination of causes. This condition can go unnoticed due to the fact that children can adapt to the condition and never say anything about it. The important thing is to diagnose and correct the condition before most growth and development occurs.
If the airway is functioning properly in a growing child, the passage of air over the maxillary or upper jaw stimulates the growth of bone, causing the maxillary jaw to grow both laterally and forward. If this occurs, then the lower jaw, which intimately fits the upper jaw, can grow to its proper length and width. In the absence of proper airflow, the upper jaw is not stimulated to grow, and does not form to its full length and width. This can result in crossbites both in the front and the back of the mouth, crowding of the arch, and crowding of the lower jaw and teeth as well. If a child cannot breathe through his or her nose, then they will resort to breathing through the mouth, causing improper tongue position, open bites, and problems with the gums. The entire lower jaw can grow at a steeper angle, causing open bite and “long face syndrome.”
How do you recognize improper breathing? The surest sign is to ask a child to close their mouth and breathe through their nose. In the absence of a cold, this should not be a problem. The best thing to do if there is a concern is to check this on a regular basis, say once every three weeks until you get a good baseline concerning the breathing condition. Other signs are obvious breathing through the mouth while the child sleeps (mouth is constantly open), constant “black eye look” due to blood pooling under the eyes, small constricted nostrils and nose, “long face” look, and improper bite relationship.
In order to correct an insufficient airway, a thorough diagnosis of the underlying condition is necessary, and therapy usually involves the removal of the obstruction, and correction of the bite if necessary. Once the condition is noticed and diagnosed, the treatment is usually very successful.
Improper airway can lead to many problems if not treated early. The need for extensive orthodontic treatment can be avoided later in life if these conditions are recognized and treated early. Take your children for regular check-ups and ask questions if you have a concern. Breathing problems can persist into adulthood as well, so be aware of this. Contact a dental professional if you have further questions