Medically Reviewed by Dr. Catherine Murphy on September 24, 2026
When most people think about braces, they picture a teenager smiling with metal brackets or clear aligners. Yes, braces straighten teeth and create beautiful smiles, but they do much more than that. Modern orthodontics can transform your family’s overall health in ways you might not expect, including improved breathing, boosted confidence, and clearer speech.
At Floss & Co., Dr. Murphy and Dr. Silva take a different approach to orthodontics. They focus on how proper alignment affects your entire body, especially your breathing. This means every consultation includes an airway assessment to make sure your treatment plan supports both a confident smile and better health. With this patient-focused, personalized approach, you can trust your braces will improve your overall quality of life.
How Braces Support Better Breathing
Your airway and dental alignment are more connected than you might realize. When teeth are crowded or your jaw is too narrow, it can restrict the space available for proper airflow. This is especially important for growing children whose facial structures are still developing.
Opening Up Your Airways
Braces treatment, with a focus on airway-expansion techniques, can widen the upper jaw and create more room in your mouth and nasal passages. This means easier breathing through your nose rather than your mouth, leading to better oxygen intake during sleep and throughout the day. Children who breathe better often sleep more soundly, concentrate better in school, and have more energy for activities they enjoy.
Why Nasal Breathing Matters
Mouth breathing can lead to dry mouth, increased cavities, and even changes in facial development over time. For families in Chicago who want to explore airway-focused care, these treatments fundamentally shift how we think about orthodontics. By addressing the root cause through orthodontic treatment, you’re helping your child develop healthier breathing patterns now and avoid complications down the road.
Beyond Aesthetics: The Full-Body Benefits of Braces
Straight teeth aren’t just easier to clean. They also reduce your risk of cavities, gum disease, and tooth decay because there are fewer hard-to-reach spots where bacteria can hide. But the benefits extend far beyond your mouth.
Health Improvements You Can Feel
When you have a properly aligned bite, you may notice improvements throughout your whole body. The health benefits of a straighter smile and aligned bite include the following:
- Better digestion starts in your mouth, and properly aligned teeth help you chew food more thoroughly so your body can absorb nutrients more efficiently.
- Fewer headaches and less jaw pain often result from correcting bite issues, since your jaw muscles no longer have to work overtime to compensate.
- Clearer speech patterns develop when teeth are positioned correctly, making it easier to pronounce certain sounds.
- Reduced TMJ symptoms can bring relief if you’ve been dealing with clicking, popping, or pain in your jaw.
When your teeth fit together properly, everything from chewing to speaking becomes easier and more comfortable. If jaw discomfort is a primary concern for you, our TMJ and airway connection resource explains more about how the two are related.
A Holistic Approach to Orthodontics
We believe in treating the whole person, not just individual teeth, so our approach at Floss & Co. looks different from what you might be used to.
Expansion Over Extraction
Dr. Murphy and Dr. Silva take a holistic approach to orthodontics, which means focusing on expansion rather than extraction. Instead of removing healthy teeth to create space, the goal is to develop your jaw properly so all your teeth have room to align naturally. This approach supports better facial development and creates space for improved breathing.
Expertise You Can Trust
Our dentists have extensive training in airway expansion techniques to ensure every patient receives care focused on long-term wellness. We understand the deep connection between oral health and overall health and consider factors like sleep quality, breathing patterns, and jaw function when creating your treatment plan, not just how your smile looks.
This approach is especially valuable for families. Parents often bring in one child for braces and discover other family members could benefit from orthodontic care too. Our practice welcomes patients of all ages, from young children just starting their dental journey to adults who want to finally address alignment issues they’ve lived with for years. The inclusive, welcoming environment at Floss & Co. makes everyone feel comfortable seeking the care they need.
Caring for Your Smile After Braces
Finishing orthodontic treatment is a milestone, but keeping your results stable takes ongoing care. Once your braces come off, a custom retainer holds your teeth and jaw in their new, properly aligned position while your bone and tissue adjust to the change. Skipping retainer wear is one of the most common reasons a smile gradually shifts back out of alignment.
For patients who prefer a more discreet treatment option, clear braces offer the same expansion-focused philosophy in a less visible form. We also recommend continuing regular checkups after treatment so we can confirm your bite, breathing, and jaw alignment are still on track. Combined with consistent retainer wear, this follow-up care helps protect the breathing and health benefits your braces treatment was designed to deliver.
Experience Comprehensive Orthodontic Care at Floss & Co.
Orthodontic treatment offers your family far more than a picture-perfect smile. It’s an investment in breathing better, sleeping better, and living healthier lives. At Floss & Co., we combine advanced technology with a warm, patient-focused approach to deliver care you can trust. Dr. Murphy and Dr. Silva work together to create personalized treatment plans addressing not just alignment but also airway health, ensuring you receive comprehensive care supporting your whole body.
Our award-winning practice serves the Midway and Chicago community with state-of-the-art technology and a genuine commitment to your well-being. Whether you’re considering options for your child or exploring treatment for yourself, we’re ready to answer your questions and design a plan fitting your family’s unique needs. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and discover how orthodontics can improve your family’s health.
Frequently Asked Questions About Braces and Family Health
Can braces really improve breathing, not just straighten teeth?
Yes. When braces treatment focuses on expanding a narrow jaw rather than only shifting individual teeth, it can create more room in the mouth and nasal passages. This added space often makes nasal breathing easier, which can support better sleep and daytime energy for both children and adults.
At what age should my child have an airway assessment?
Many orthodontic concerns related to breathing and jaw development are easiest to address while a child’s facial structure is still growing. An airway assessment during an early orthodontic evaluation, generally suggested around age seven, allows us to identify potential issues before they become more difficult to correct.
How long do I need to wear a retainer after braces?
Most patients wear a retainer full time for the first several months after braces, then transition to nighttime wear. Long-term nighttime use is generally recommended, since teeth can continue to shift throughout life even after successful treatment.
Are adults good candidates for airway-focused orthodontics?
Absolutely. Jaw expansion and airway-focused approaches are not limited to children. Many adults benefit from orthodontic treatment that considers breathing and jaw function alongside alignment, especially if they have never had orthodontic care or are dealing with bite-related discomfort.
Does an expansion-based approach mean I will never need extractions?
Expansion is prioritized whenever possible to preserve healthy teeth and support jaw development, but every case is different. Your treatment plan is based on your specific alignment, jaw size, and health goals, so extractions may still be recommended in certain situations.
About the Author
Dentist, Floss & Co.
Dr. Catherine Murphy practices general and orthodontic dentistry at Floss & Co. in Chicago, with a focus on airway-conscious treatment planning for patients of all ages.