Watching your child struggle with restless sleep, mouth breathing, or constant stuffiness can feel frustrating and upsetting, but they don’t have to be your child’s permanent reality. These issues often point to a narrow airway that restricts proper breathing and impacts everything from sleep quality to facial development.
At Floss & Co., we understand how airway concerns affect your child’s daily life and long-term health. Our team offers airway expansion-focused treatment designed to gently widen the upper jaw, creating more space for breathing and supporting healthier development. We invest in state-of-the-art technology to provide the safest, most effective care possible. Our practice serves families throughout the Midway and Chicago communities with a focus on patient comfort and creating smiles to be proud of.
How Airway Expansion Treatments Improve Breathing
Children with narrow airways often resort to mouth breathing because their nasal passages cannot accommodate enough airflow. This habit can lead to dry mouth, increased risk of cavities, and altered facial growth patterns. Airway expansion directly addresses this issue by creating the space needed for natural nasal breathing.
When the upper jaw widens, the nasal floor drops and the passages open. Your child can breathe more comfortably without relying on mouth breathing. This improvement often happens gradually during treatment, and many parents notice their child sleeping more soundly within the first few months. Better breathing means better oxygen intake during sleep, which supports healthy brain development, concentration, and behavior. Children who breathe well through their nose tend to have fewer sleep disruptions and wake up more refreshed.
Dental Treatments That Support Airway Expansion
Several dental and orthodontic treatments can help expand the airway to support your child’s breathing and oral health. These complementary approaches help address the underlying causes of airway restriction while promoting proper development.
Palate Expanders
Palate expanders are custom appliances that gradually widen the upper jaw to create more space in the mouth and nasal passages. These devices work best during childhood when facial bones are still developing. By expanding the palate, we can improve nasal breathing and create room for proper tooth alignment.
Mandibular Advancement Devices (MADs)
Mandibular advancement devices help reposition the lower jaw forward to open the airway during sleep. These appliances can be particularly helpful for children experiencing sleep-disordered breathing. MADs work by preventing the tongue and soft tissues from blocking the airway, allowing for better oxygen flow throughout the night.
Tongue Stabilization Devices (TSDs)
Tongue stabilization devices gently hold the tongue forward to keep the airway open. These appliances may be recommended for children whose tongue position contributes to breathing difficulties. TSDs can improve sleep quality and reduce snoring by preventing airway obstruction.
Braces
Braces can help guide jaw growth and tooth positioning to maintain improvements from airway expansion, using metal brackets and wires that slowly shift the teeth and jaw into place. Proper alignment ensures teeth fit together correctly and supports the expanded upper jaw structure. This treatment also helps maintain open airways as your child continues to grow. During your child’s orthodontic consultation, we conduct an airway assessment to determine if this solution will help your child breathe better.
Clear Aligners
Invisalign offers another option for supporting airway health in older children and teens. Clear aligners can gradually shift teeth into positions that support proper jaw alignment and breathing function. This approach works well for patients who have already begun airway expansion and need additional orthodontic refinement.
Additional Health Benefits of Airway Expansion
With the improved breathing that comes with airway expansion-focused treatment, your child can experience other positive changes that can enhance their quality of life. The additional health advantages of this type of care include the following:
- Enhanced sleep quality: Better airflow reduces snoring and sleep disturbances, allowing for deeper, more restorative rest.
- Improved facial development: A wider palate encourages balanced facial growth and proper jaw alignment.
- Better oral health: Nasal breathing helps maintain healthier saliva flow, reducing the risk of cavities.
- Reduced orthodontic needs: Creating adequate space early may prevent crowding issues that would require tooth extractions later.
These benefits work together to support your child’s overall wellness. Many families report improvements in behavior, focus, and energy levels after airway expansion treatment.
Schedule Your Child’s Airway Assessment at Floss & Co.
If you’re concerned about your child’s breathing or sleep patterns, taking the first step toward treatment can make a meaningful difference in their health and development. Airway expansion may address the root causes of breathing difficulties and support your child’s long-term wellness.
Floss & Co. welcomes families from all backgrounds to our practice on Archer Avenue. Dr. Murphy and Dr. Silva bring extensive experience in orthodontics and airway-focused care to every consultation. We take time to explain every step of the treatment process and work with you to find the best solution for your child’s needs. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn more about how airway expansion can support your child’s breathing and overall health.
