St. Augustine, FL
Many of the dental issues that young adults face are problems that advancements in dental technology can now prevent during childhood. For instance, early intervention, in some cases, can prevent the need for orthodontics down the road. And by addressing issues such as tongue ties and mouth breathing early, not only will kids develop a great smile and strong oral habits, but they’ll also sleep better and live a healthier life. Our St. Augustine family dentist specializes in pediatric sleep apnea and common dental issues in children and, by sharing the information in this blog, wants to help empower parents and caregivers to make informed decisions early about their child’s oral health journey.
Many children we see in our office have crooked teeth, tongue ties, bad jaw or tongue posture and/or pediatric sleep apnea. These can be — and often are — interconnected.
Let’s pull it all apart now:
Why do some children’s teeth grow crooked?
Teeth can grow crooked because of genetics or issues like injury or trauma to the mouth — during which a child could even prematurely lose a tooth — or early childhood habits like prolonged thumb sucking or pacifier use.
But there are other common reasons such as:
- Jaw Size Discrepancies — Discrepancies in the size of the upper and lower jaws can lead to malocclusion (crooked teeth). If the jawbones are too small to accommodate all the teeth properly, crowding and misalignment can occur. Abnormalities in jaw growth patterns can also result in underbites, overbites or crossbites, which further contribute to crooked teeth.
- Oral Ties — Lip and tongue ties are congenital conditions characterized by a tight or restrictive band of tissue (labial frenulum and lingual frenulum, respectively) that attaches the upper lips to the gum and tethers the tongue to the floor of the mouth. If the band of tissue is too short or tight, it can impair tongue movement and function. It’s referred to as a lip tie or tongue tie. If left untreated, lip and tongue ties may interfere with proper tooth eruption and lead to malocclusion.
- Mouth Breathing — Many parents may think little to nothing of their child sleeping with an open mouth, but it can actually point to an issue that warrants a talk with your pediatric dentist. Saliva helps neutralize acids in the mouth that can lead to tooth decay. Mouth breathing deprives the mouth of saliva, thereby contributing to tooth decay.
Crooked teeth, jaw size, oral ties and mouth breathing can also impact the structure and function of a child’s airway, increasing the risk of sleep apnea.
What’s so bad about sleep apnea?
Pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a sleep disorder that is often mistaken as a respiratory issue. It occurs when the upper airway is partially or completely obstructed during sleep, leading to disrupted breathing patterns and interruptions in airflow and the sleep cycle.
Children with sleep apnea may exhibit symptoms such as loud snoring, pauses in breathing during sleep, restless sleep, frequent awakenings, bedwetting, night terrors, daytime sleepiness, behavioral problems, difficulty concentrating and unexplained poor academic performance. It can also lead to serious physical health complications, including impaired growth, cognitive deficits, cardiovascular issues and an increased risk of accidents and injuries.
How can pediatric dentistry correct or prevent OSA?
Our pediatric sleep apnea dentist in St. Augustine is trained and experienced in addressing jaw size discrepancies, oral ties and mouth breathing in children. Let’s look at a few tools and methods we commonly use:
Palatal Expanders
Palatal expanders, also known as orthodontic expanders, are custom-made appliances designed to widen the upper jaw gradually.
They:
- Alleviate crowding by creating space for permanent teeth to erupt properly
- Correct posterior crossbites by expanding the upper jaw to align with the lower jaw, improving bite alignment and function
- Improve airway function by widening the upper jaw to enhance nasal breathing and reduce the risk of sleep-disordered breathing problems like snoring and sleep apnea.
Oral Tie Releases
Tongues that are tied do not move well. The tongue is the root culprit behind mouth breathing, airway resistance, snoring and sleep apnea. This can have serious consequences.
Let’s look at a few:
- Difficulty Latching During Breastfeeding — Infants can have trouble properly latching due to restricted tongue movement.
- Speech Difficulties — Lip and tongue ties can contribute to speech impediments, particularly with sounds like s and z that require tongue mobility.
- Oral Hygiene Challenges — Restricted tongue movement may hinder proper cleaning of the teeth and gums, leading to an increased risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
- Airway Growth and Function — Without tongue mobility, the jaws and face will not grow large enough for healthy breathing patterns. This means children will develop small breathing passageways, and they will be prone to choking, especially during sleep, because of an enlarged tongue.
Myofunctional Therapy
Myofunctional therapy is physical therapy for the tongue in conjunction with a tongue-tie release. Our dentist works with a myofunctional therapist to release oral ties through the use of a laser. The procedure is quick and painless.
Myofunctional Therapy Follows the Release to Help:
- Correct Oral Habits — By retraining the muscles of the face and mouth, myofunctional therapy helps correct improper oral habits, improving overall oral function.
- Enhance Speech and Swallowing — Myofunctional therapy can improve speech clarity and swallowing efficiency by addressing underlying muscle dysfunction.
- Complement Orthodontic Treatment — Therapy can complement orthodontic treatment, including the use of palatal expanders, to optimize results and prevent relapse.
Pediatric Sleep Apnea Treatment in St. Augustine, Florida
Crooked teeth, jaw size, oral ties and mouth breathing can impact the structure and function of a child’s airway, increasing the risk of sleep apnea. Addressing these underlying factors through appropriate interventions such as orthodontic treatment, myofunctional therapy and oral-tie release, can help improve oral health and reduce the risk of sleep-disordered breathing problems like sleep apnea. We understand the uneasiness any parent has when it comes to their child’s health and potential medical or dental interventions. We are here to answer any questions you have. Give our office at Palencia Dental a call at 904-664-5254 or reach out to us online to schedule a consultation today.
