Many significant growth and developmental milestones occur during the first 18 months of life. In fact, by age 6, about 60% of a child’s facial development is complete, and 90% of facial development is completed by age 12.

Some of the most common facial development abnormalities and problems seen in children are caused by a compromised airway or the inability to breathe properly through the nose. Proper breathing is a key part of a child’s health, development and educational success. Children who cannot breathe well through their nose tend to breathe more through their mouth, which can affect their health as well as the way their facial structures develop. This ultimately affects their health and appearance as an adult. Because of this, early detection and correction of airway problems is incredibly important for your child.

Some common problems caused by improper airway and facial development include:

• Deficient growth in the upper jaw and midface
• Asymmetrical appearance of facial structures
• Snoring, sleep apnea and other sleep breathing disorders
• Forward head posture, leading to problems with the alignment of the spine and body
• Headaches and fatigue
• Teeth grinding (bruxism)
• Neck and shoulder tension
• Academic, behavioral, developmental and social difficulties
• Weight abnormalities
• Disruptive sleep behaviors (problems falling or staying asleep, sleepwalking, restless legs syndrome, etc.)

Compromised airways and improper breathing are also a contributing factor in ADHD in children.

By detecting airway and facial abnormalities early, our dentist can remove harmful factors influencing your child’s growth, help improve the physical and psychological well-being of your child, prevent the need for more extensive future treatments, and improve your child’s bite and smile.

To schedule a consultation with our dentist and learn more about dentofacial development, please call our office today.