Airway issues affect millions of people across all age groups, yet widespread misconceptions prevent many from seeking the treatment they need. Parents often attribute their child’s behavioral challenges to other causes, while adults dismiss sleep problems as normal parts of aging or stress. These misconceptions can delay proper diagnosis and treatment, allowing underlying airway issues to impact quality of life for years.
At Floss & Co., we frequently encounter patients who are surprised to learn that their long-standing health concerns may be related to airway function. Dr. Silva’s advanced training in airway expansion and Dr. Murphy’s holistic orthodontic approach help us identify and address these issues comprehensively. Understanding the truth behind common misconceptions empowers families to make informed decisions about their health and seek appropriate care.
Misconception: Snoring Is Normal and Harmless
Many people believe snoring is simply an annoying but harmless habit, especially in children. Parents often assume their child will outgrow snoring or that it’s just a family trait. However, snoring typically indicates some level of airway obstruction and can signal more serious breathing issues that affect sleep quality and overall health.
Regular snoring in children can disrupt their sleep cycles, leading to daytime fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and behavioral challenges. In adults, persistent snoring may indicate sleep-disordered breathing conditions that increase the risk of cardiovascular problems, diabetes, and other health complications. Addressing the underlying airway issues through proper evaluation and treatment can often eliminate snoring while improving overall health and quality of life.
Misconception: Mouth Breathing Is Just a Bad Habit
Adults frequently view mouth breathing as a simple habit their child can learn to break with reminders and practice. Many believe children choose to breathe through their mouth out of laziness or lack of attention. In reality, mouth breathing usually develops because nasal breathing is difficult or impossible due to structural issues or chronic congestion.
When children consistently breathe through their mouth, it can alter their facial development, contribute to dental problems, and affect their sleep quality. Mouth breathing often indicates underlying airway restrictions that require professional evaluation and treatment. Rather than focusing on changing the habit, addressing the root cause through airway assessment and appropriate treatment typically resolves the issue naturally.
Misconception: Behavioral Issues Are Separate from Sleep Problems
Parents and educators often treat behavioral challenges in children as isolated issues, focusing on discipline strategies or seeking psychological evaluations. While these approaches have their place, many behavioral problems stem from poor sleep quality caused by airway issues. Children who don’t sleep well may struggle with attention, emotional regulation, and impulse control.
Sleep-disrupted children may exhibit symptoms similar to attention disorders, including hyperactivity, difficulty focusing, and irritability. Before assuming behavioral issues require medication or extensive behavioral interventions, evaluating sleep quality and airway function can reveal treatable underlying causes. Addressing airway issues often leads to dramatic improvements in behavior, attention, and academic performance without additional interventions.
Misconception: Airway Problems Only Affect Sleep
Many people assume airway issues only impact nighttime breathing and sleep quality, overlooking their effects on daytime function and overall health. This narrow view prevents recognition of how airway problems can influence energy levels, cognitive function, mood, and physical performance throughout the day.
Proper airway function affects oxygen delivery to all body systems, influencing everything from immune function to digestive health. Children with airway issues may experience chronic fatigue, frequent illness, poor athletic performance, and difficulty maintaining attention during school. Adults may struggle with morning headaches, daytime sleepiness, and reduced productivity. Comprehensive airway evaluation considers these broader health impacts, not just sleep-related symptoms.
Misconception: Children Will Outgrow Airway Issues
Parents often receive advice to wait and see if their child outgrows breathing problems, assuming that facial development will naturally resolve airway restrictions. While some minor issues may improve with growth, significant airway problems typically require intervention to prevent worsening and address current symptoms.
Early treatment of airway issues can guide proper facial development and establish healthy breathing patterns that last a lifetime. Waiting to address these problems may result in more complex treatment needs later or permanent changes to facial structure. Airway expansion during childhood, when facial bones are still developing, often achieves better results with less invasive treatment than waiting until adulthood.
Experience Comprehensive Airway Care at Floss & Co.
Understanding the truth about airway issues empowers families to seek appropriate evaluation and treatment for symptoms they may have dismissed or attributed to other causes. Many health and behavioral challenges that seem unrelated to breathing can improve dramatically when underlying airway issues are properly addressed. At Floss & Co., we combine advanced airway assessment techniques with comprehensive treatment approaches that consider your entire family’s health and wellbeing.Our team’s extensive training in airway expansion and holistic treatment approaches ensures accurate diagnosis and effective treatment for both children and adults. We take time to educate families about how airway function affects overall health, helping you make informed decisions about treatment options. Don’t let misconceptions prevent you from exploring solutions that could transform your family’s quality of life. Call us at (773) 586-5522 or contact us today to schedule a comprehensive airway evaluation and discover how proper breathing can improve your health and happiness.