Signs Your Child Needs an Airway Evaluation (And Why You Shouldn’t Wait)
- Sleep + Health Team
- Mar 27
- 3 min read
As parents, we do everything we can to keep our children healthy and thriving. We take them for regular checkups, make sure they eat nutritious meals, and encourage them to get plenty of exercise. But one crucial aspect of their health often goes unnoticed: their airway.
Breathing is something we all take for granted—until it becomes a problem. If your child struggles with poor sleep, chronic mouth breathing, or frequent behavioral issues, their airway health could be the missing piece of the puzzle. Identifying airway issues early can have a lifelong impact, setting them up for better sleep, improved focus, and overall well-being.
Why Airway Health Matters
A healthy airway allows for proper breathing, which supports brain development, energy levels, and immune function. When the airway is compromised—whether due to enlarged tonsils, a narrow jaw, or other structural issues—it can lead to conditions like sleep apnea and upper airway resistance syndrome (UARS). These conditions disrupt sleep, reduce oxygen intake, and contribute to a host of developmental and behavioral concerns.
At Sleep + Health, our doctors and orofacial myofunctional therapy (OMT) specialists provide airway assessments to screen for obstructions and abnormalities that could impact your child’s health. Through these assessments, we can identify warning signs early and provide the right intervention before more serious issues develop.
Signs Your Child May Need an Airway Evaluation
Many children with airway issues display subtle symptoms that can easily be overlooked. If your child experiences any of the following, it may be time for an airway evaluation:
Sleep-Related Symptoms:
Snoring or noisy breathing during sleep
Restless sleep, tossing and turning, or frequent waking
Nightmares or night sweats
Bedwetting beyond the typical age
Sleeping with their mouth open or gasping for air
Daytime Behavioral and Health Concerns:
Chronic mouth breathing (instead of nasal breathing)
Frequent headaches or dry mouth in the morning
Trouble focusing in school (often mistaken for ADHD)
Irritability, mood swings, or hyperactivity
Poor appetite or picky eating due to difficulty chewing or swallowing
Dark circles under the eyes (a sign of poor oxygenation during sleep)
Oral and Facial Development Clues:
Crowded teeth or a narrow dental arch
A tongue that sits low in the mouth instead of on the roof
Speech difficulties, such as a lisp or trouble pronouncing certain sounds
A recessed chin or elongated face shape (often linked to airway issues)
Early Intervention Can Make All the Difference
Many airway issues start in childhood but go undiagnosed until adulthood, when they develop into more serious conditions like obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Addressing airway concerns early can prevent long-term health complications and even reduce the need for extensive orthodontic work later.
At Sleep + Health, our comprehensive airway assessments help uncover potential breathing issues before they escalate. By working alongside ENT specialists, pediatricians, sleep doctors, and speech therapists, we create customized treatment plans to ensure your child gets the best possible care.
What’s Next? Schedule a Dental Airway Assessment
If any of these signs sound familiar, don’t wait to take action. A dental airway assessment is a simple, non-invasive way to evaluate your child’s breathing and overall health. Our team at Sleep + Health is here to provide expert guidance and solutions tailored to your child’s needs.
Healthy breathing leads to healthy sleep, which leads to a thriving child. Let’s work together to ensure your little one gets the best start in life. Contact us today to schedule an airway evaluation!
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