Airway Obstructions in Children

We all want our children to thrive and succeed in all they do, which means ensuring they can breathe and sleep well. Too often, airway issues aren’t diagnosed or recognized during a child’s dental check-up.  Our doctors and hygienists are trained to identify oral signs and symptoms of an improper airway that may be significantly affecting your child’s well-being. In today’s blog, your Cleveland, TX dentist talks about helping identify signs of breathing issues that could be a danger to your child’s dental and overall health.

Common Signs of an Airway Issue

Do you ever notice your child breathing mostly through their mouth? Mouth breathing is one of the most common and easily identifiable signs of an airway obstruction. Sometimes mouth breathing is necessary due to a cold or sinus infection. However, chronic mouth breathing, especially in children, can be quite detrimental to their dental health. This condition has been linked to dental and facial abnormalities, slower growth, and even behavioral issues. Other warning signs could include snoring, coughing or breathing interruptions during your child’s sleep. Bedding wetting and sleep walking have also been linked to poor sleep.

Signs in the Mouth

Consistent mouth breathing can cause damage to your child’s oral environment especially if they do it through the night. Some warning signs are swollen or bleeding gums, bad breath, dry mouth, a narrow arch and even more frequent cavities. Due to the drier mouth, stickier plaque will build on the teeth making your child more susceptible to gum disease and dental decay. The open-mouth position can also lead to improper positioning of the teeth and bones of the face leading to surgical or orthodontic treatments.

How Can Your Dentist Help?

During each check-up appointment, our doctors will examine your child’s teeth, gums, tonsils and tongue position looking for dental and facial abnormalities that could indicate an airway obstruction.  Early detection and referral to the right specialist could save your child from countless health issues. If your child does present with oral health issues such as gum disease, mal-alignment of the teeth or cavities we have treatments to help restore their oral health. A few include tooth-colored filling material, thorough dental cleanings, fluoride applications and orthodontic treatments.

Talk To Your Cleveland, TX Dentist About Identifying Airway Issues in Your Child

Helping your child reach their optimal level of oral health is our priority. For more information on how our team can identify oral signs of airway issues in your child, then contact your Cleveland, TX, dentist, Dr. Uhrenholdt, by calling (281) 592-1234.