Pediatric Airway Dentistry in Westwood
How a child breathes, sleeps and grows are closely connected to the mouth. Airway dentistry looks at how the teeth, jaws, tongue and breathing work together, so concerns can be found early and the right specialists involved.
Why choose an Airway Dentist?
We see your child's mouth, jaws and bite regularly, and we notice patterns that may point to a breathing problem. A dentist does not diagnose sleep apnea or other sleep disorders. We screen, explain what we see and refer you to your pediatrician, an ear, nose and throat specialist or a sleep specialist when needed.
Signs to watch for:
- Snoring or noisy breathing during sleep.
- Breathing through the mouth during the day or at night.
- Restless sleep, frequent waking or bedwetting.
- Tiredness, trouble focusing or irritability during the day.
- A narrow palate, crowded teeth or a small lower jaw.
- Dry lips or frequent cavities from a dry mouth.
These signs can have many causes. Having one doesn't mean your child has an airway problem, and an evaluation will tell us more.
What we look for:
- Your child's health and sleep history.
- How the jaws, palate and bite are developing.
- Tongue position and movement, including any lip or tongue tie.
- How your child breathes at rest.
How we can help:
Our role depends on what the evaluation finds. It may include monitoring growth, referring to a specialist for a sleep or breathing evaluation, orthodontic care that guides jaw development, or support for tongue and mouth habits.
Frequently asked questions
At what age can my child be screened?
Screening is part of a regular exam at any age.
Does my child need a sleep study?
Only a physician can make that call. We'll share our assessment with your child's doctor.
Can mouth breathing affect the teeth?
It can contribute to a dry mouth and more cavities, and it may be related to how the jaws grow.