Airway & Mouth Breathing in Children

Supporting Healthy Growth, Better Sleep, and Confident Smiles

At McKenzie Dental, we believe healthy breathing is the foundation for healthy growth. If your child mouth breathes, snores, or struggles with sleep, attention, or crowded teeth, their airway may be playing a bigger role than you realize.

Our gentle, family friendly dental office takes a proactive approach to airway health—helping children breathe, sleep, and grow better.

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Why Breathing Matters More Than You Think

Children are meant to breathe through their nose. Nose breathing supports proper jaw development, facial growth, quality sleep, and oxygen delivery to the brain and body.

When a child breathes through their mouth instead, it can quietly affect:

• Facial and jaw development
• Tooth alignment
• Sleep quality
• Focus, behavior, and energy levels

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Signs Your Child May Have an Airway or Breathing Issue

Many parents are surprised to learn that airway concerns don’t always look like breathing problems. Common signs include:

• Snoring in children or noisy breathing at night
• Mouth breathing (day or night)
• Dark circles under the eyes (venous pooling)
• Bedwetting beyond the typical age
• ADHD-like symptoms such as poor focus, hyperactivity, or impulsivity
• Daytime fatigue or difficulty waking
• Crowded or crooked teeth at a young age

These signs are often linked to poor sleep and reduced oxygen—not just behavior or habits.

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How Mouth Breathing Affects Teeth and Jaw Development

Breathing patterns guide how the face and jaws grow. Mouth breathing can lead to:

• A narrow upper jaw
• Crowded or crooked teeth
• Overbites, underbites, or open bites
• Teeth that don’t fit together comfortably

Because the jaws determine where teeth erupt, airway issues often show up in the smile early.

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What Is Malocclusion — Explained Simply

Malocclusion means the teeth or jaws don’t line up properly.

In everyday terms, this can:

• Make chewing harder
• Affect speech development
• Cause uneven tooth wear
• Lead to jaw discomfort or headaches later in life

Without early guidance, these bite problems often worsen as a child grows and may require more complex orthodontic treatment later on.

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Why Early Intervention Is Key

About 90% of facial growth is complete by age 12, which makes early childhood a critical window for airway and jaw development.

Early evaluation and gentle intervention can:

• Encourage healthier jaw growth
• Improve breathing and sleep
• Reduce crowding before braces are needed
• Simplify or shorten future orthodontic treatment

At McKenzie Dental, our focus is on guiding growth—not waiting until problems are bigger.

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How McKenzie Dental Can Help

As an SE dental office committed to whole-child care, we:

• Screen for mouth breathing and airway concerns
• Monitor jaw and facial growth
• Identify early bite and alignment issues
• Coordinate care with orthodontists, ENTs, or myofunctional therapists when needed

All evaluations are done in a calm, supportive environment designed to make kids (and parents) feel comfortable.

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When Should My Child Be Evaluated?

We recommend an airway and growth assessment if your child:

• Snores regularly
• Mouth breathes
• Has dark circles under their eyes
• Experiences bedwetting or ADHD-like symptoms
• Shows early crowding or bite concerns

Early answers can make a lifelong difference.

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Book an Airway & Growth Consultation Today

If you’re concerned about your child’s breathing, sleep, or dental development, we’re here to help. Book a consultation with McKenzie Dental today and take the first step toward healthier breathing, better sleep, and confident smiles. McKenzie Dental — a gentle, family friendly dental office supporting growing smiles and growing kids.

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