When your child struggles with focus, has frequent meltdowns, or wets the bed, the last thing you might consider is their airway. Many parents spend months or even years seeking answers for behavioral problems, only to discover the root cause isn’t what they expected. Research shows a growing connection between restricted airways and behaviors often mistaken for ADHD, anxiety, or other developmental concerns.
At Floss & Co., our experienced dentists understand that proper breathing during childhood affects far more than just oxygen intake. When children can’t breathe easily through their nose, especially during sleep, their bodies enter a constant state of stress. Through airway expansion treatment and comprehensive orthodontics, we help children breathe better, sleep better, and ultimately, behave better.
How Restricted Airways Affect Behavior
You know how you feel after a terrible night’s sleep? Imagine feeling that way every single day of your childhood. That’s essentially what happens when kids can’t breathe properly at night. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, sleep-disordered breathing affects between 1 and 5% of children and can lead to significant neurobehavioral problems, including hyperactivity, inattention, and aggression.
What Parents Actually See
The symptoms parents notice during the day often have everything to do with what’s happening at night. Your child might snore, breathe through their mouth constantly, grind their teeth, or wake up multiple times. Even if they appear to sleep through the night, their sleep quality could be compromised. The exhaustion and oxygen deprivation that result can cause irritability, difficulty concentrating, emotional meltdowns, and struggles with learning.
Why Behavior Gets So Difficult
When a child’s airway is restricted, their nervous system essentially stays stuck in survival mode. Their body is too busy trying to get enough oxygen to worry about things like emotional regulation or sitting still in class. For many families, addressing the underlying airway issue through treatments, like braces and clear aligners, can dramatically improve behavior without medication.
Common Misdiagnoses Related to Airway Issues
The frustrating aspect of airway restrictions is how easily they can be mistaken for other conditions. Parents end up going down rabbit holes of testing and treatment that never quite solve the problem because nobody’s looking at whether their child can actually breathe properly. Some of the most common misdiagnoses include the following:
- ADHD symptoms, like inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that actually stem from chronic sleep deprivation
- Anxiety and mood disorders caused by the constant stress response triggered by inadequate oxygen
- Bedwetting issues that persist because the body never reaches deep sleep stages necessary for bladder control
- Learning difficulties that improve once the brain receives adequate oxygen during sleep
Some kids don’t have ADHD at all; they’re just exhausted from fighting to breathe all night. When the real issue is inadequate oxygen during sleep, expanding the airway through orthodontics often reduces or eliminates symptoms that everyone assumed were behavioral.
How Airway Expansion Can Help With Your Child’s Behavioral Issues
Airway expansion treatment works by gently widening the upper jaw and nasal passages, creating more space for proper breathing. This orthodontic intervention is most effective during childhood when facial bones are still developing. The process typically involves wearing a specialized appliance that gradually expands the palate over several months.
The Benefits Go Way Beyond Breathing
The ripple effects touch nearly every aspect of a child’s life. Many parents notice better sleep quality, increased energy during the day, improved concentration and academic performance, reduced behavioral problems, and enhanced athletic performance. The treatment can also improve facial development and reduce the risk of sleep apnea later in life. At Floss & Co., the team includes comprehensive airway assessments as part of orthodontic consultations, taking a proactive approach that addresses potential problems before they have a lasting impact.
Get Help for Your Child With Airway Expansion at Floss & Co.
If your child shows signs of sleep-disordered breathing or behavioral issues that might be airway-related, you don’t have to keep searching for answers alone. The team at Floss & Co. specializes in identifying and treating airway restrictions in children, combining orthodontic expertise with a deep understanding of how breathing affects overall health. With their welcoming, inclusive approach and genuine emphasis on patient comfort, they make treatment accessible for families throughout the Chicago area.
Early intervention can make a tremendous difference in your child’s development, academic success, and overall quality of life. Dr. Naem, Dr. Murphy, Dr. Jouja, and Dr. Silva work closely with each family to create treatment plans that fit their unique needs and goals. To learn more about how airway expansion can help your child breathe easier, sleep better, and thrive, contact Floss & Co. today to schedule a consultation.