Most parents don’t think about their child’s airway development, but almost every parent sees the impact that airway development has on their child. Problems like bedwetting, restless sleep, snoring, and posture problems, are all signs of an underdeveloped airway. Poor airway development can lead to a number of problems in the jaws and teeth of children.
Mouth Breathing and Airway Development
One of the major effects of poor airway development is mouth breathing. Our bodies are evolved for nasal breathing. Nasal breathing filters out dust and allergens while also boosting oxygen intake. But when the nasal passages are blocked, children can develop the habit of mouth breathing, which impairs development.
Facial Consequences of Mouth Breathing
Mouth breathing can cause the face to take on undesirable characteristics including:
- Retracted chin
- Less prominent jaw
- Long and narrow face shape
- Poor midface development
- Flat facial profile
Proper Breathing Equals Ideal Facial Development
During nasal breathing, the tongue rests at the top of the mouth. When the tongue naturally rests here, it fills the upper arch of teeth and pushes out on them. This regular pressure stimulates the jaw to grow outward. Pressure from the tongue resting in the position is balanced out by pressure from the cheeks keeping the upper and lower jaws from growing outward too much.
In contrast, when you breathe through your mouth, the tongue rests on the lower jaw. This resting position either sees the top lying on top of the teeth or within the lower arch of teeth. Without the tongue’s pressure on the upper arch, the upper jaw doesn’t fully develop. This underdevelopment often leads to a flat midface with little to no outward growth.
Affects on the Teeth
If the airway doesn’t develop properly, as a result of habitual mouth breathing, it can also lead to crooked teeth. Jaw underdevelopment due to the lack of tongue pressure on the upper jaw can lead to inadequate space in the mouth for the teeth. This chain of events can increase tension between teeth and back into the jaw joint can cause [link id=’115′ text=’temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders’ esc_html=’false’].
Learn More about Facial Development in Burke, VA
An underdeveloped airway can lead to poor facial development, crooked teeth, TMJ disorders, and sleep apnea among other health concerns. If you think that you or your child are suffering from the effects of an underdeveloped airway, you can schedule a consultation with Dr. Marzban by calling 703-349-4277 today.
