When it comes to children’s dental care, parents often focus on the health of their child’s teeth and gums. However, a comprehensive examination by your dentist goes beyond just oral health. It is crucial to consider the space in your child’s airway. In today’s blog, your Garland, TX dental practice, will explore the importance of this valuable evaluation and how it can contribute to your child’s health and happiness.
Understanding the Airway
The airway refers to the pathway through which air enters and exits our bodies, allowing us to breathe well. It consists of the nose, mouth, throat, and other associated structures. A restriction can cause numerous health issues, including problems related to sleep, behavior, growth, development, and even dental health. Interestingly, many children with breathing issues have been misdiagnosed with numerous behavioral issues. Our dentists are trained to recognize the signs and symptoms created by a poor air space so that your child can live their healthiest life.
How is it Evaluated?
During your child’s check-up you may notice how the dentist asks them to say “aaaah.” At that moment, they are checking the child’s airway space. Also examined are the teeth position, tongue size, and tonsils. When your dentist asks your child to bite their teeth together, they are evaluating the jaw position and how their teeth fit together. If your child has an improper bite caused by mouth-breathing, it can affect the growth and development of the jaws and contribute to malocclusion and other orthodontic problems.
How Can We Help?
By addressing these concerns, we can help promote nasal breathing, which aids in oral health, proper growth of facial structures, and overall well-being. We can also guide parents towards appropriate interventions, which may include orthodontic treatment or referral to specialists. If your child is experiencing dry mouth or tooth decay due to mouth-breathing, we have products and treatments to recommend. We provide tooth-colored fillings if cavities are present and sealants to help prevent future decay.
Schedule Your Child’s Next Check-Up
At your child’s next dental visit ask us about their airway space. We’d love to discuss ways to keep your child’s overall health optimized. Call our Garland, TX office today at (972) 530-0552 and allow us to provide comprehensive care for a healthy and happy smile.
