Routine Checkups are Important for Children Too

BREATHING ISSUES ARE COMMON WITH CHILDREN AS THEY ARE STILL GROWING DEVELOPMENTALLY.

That also makes them more sensitive to breathing issues, so it’s crucial that they are routinely screened for potential problems.

An underdeveloped jaw is usually the reason behind breathing issues in children. In addition to housing teeth, the jaws house the sinuses, the eyes, and the upper airway. When these areas are affected because of an underdeveloped jaw, it can lead to sleep disordered breathing. Some of the most childhood issues as a result of breathing issues include: Asthma and allergies, poor growth, ADD/ADHD, bed wetting.

Often, if caught early, these problems can be easily treated and completely reversed. A common treatment is utilizing an orthopedic appliance, which helps the child breathe properly while redirecting the growth and development of the jaws. Another benefit to an orthopedic appliance is that it ensures enough room for permanent teeth, often preventing the need for orthodontic treatment down the road.

ASTHMA AND ALLERGIES

Nasal breathing is obviously the preferred method of breathing. It’s what helps your body filter the air and decreases the amount of irritants that enter the body. Those irritants are what can lead to asthma and allergy symptoms. When mouth breathing occurs instead, adenoids and tonsils increase in size and lead to improper tongue posture. This causes an imbalanced muscular system within the oral cavity and can lead to deformation of the jaw.

POOR GROWTH

Sleep is crucial for growth. In fact, 75% of natural Human Growth Hormone (HGH) is released during the rest and repair portion of deep sleep. When breathing issues prevent a child from getting enough deep sleep, it can lead to less HGH being released and cause growing to slow.

ADD/ADHD

Breathing issues can cause similar symptoms to ADD/ADHD. A medical study revealed that when children with breathing issues and children who have either ADD/ADHD are in a room together, it’s impossible to distinguish between the two issues. A child with a prolonged issue of poor sleep can experience trouble behaving, trouble learning in school, and a diminished IQ.

BED WETTING

When a child is experiencing sleep disordered breathing, it can lead to decreased oxygen in the blood. When this happens, the brain has a fight or flight response, diverting necessary oxygen to essential body systems. Often, that means oxygen is diverted away from the urinary tract and can lead to bed wetting.

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