Breathing plays a vital role in a child’s growth, learning and overall health. However, issues such as mouth breathing, snoring or sleep disruptions may indicate underlying airway problems. Hence, it is crucial to identify these concerns early through airway screenings and address them to support healthy development and prevent long-term complications.
What is airway screening?
An airway screening is a simple, non-invasive assessment to check for potential breathing issues, especially during sleep. It can help detect problems such as nasal obstructions or airway restrictions, which may be significantly affecting your child’s sleep quality, cognitive function and behaviour.
Importance of nasal breathing
Nasal breathing is important, as it enables us to:
- Filter, warm and humidify air before it reaches the lungs
- Helps oxygen absorption and keeps the airways open
- Encouraging deeper, more relaxed breathing
Mouth breathing, in contrast, bypasses these benefits, which can have serious consequences for a child’s development, affecting:
- Facial and jaw development: may lead to narrow jaws, crooked teeth and poor jaw alignment
- Posture: may develop poor posture, e.g. forward head position, neck tension
- Speech and swallowing: may lead to challenges with speech and the development of healthy swallowing patterns
As children’s facial structures are still growing, early correction of mouth breathing is key for promoting proper growth and preventing more serious problems in the future.
Poor Airway Health Implications
When breathing is compromised, it can have effects on a child’s overall health, including:
- Restless or poor sleep quality
- Slower growth and delayed development
- Effect on brain development (e.g. difficulty focusing or learning)
- Can lead to behavioural challenges (e.g. irritability, hyperactivity or mood swings)
- Can contribute to issues (such as high blood pressure, metabolic conditions and delayed growth)
Signs and symptoms to look out for:
- Snoring or gasping during sleep
- Mouth breathing (day or night)
- Sleep disturbances during night (e.g., waking up multiple times through the night)
- Daytime fatigue (e.g. tiredness or difficulty concentrating)
- Mood swings or hyperactivity
- Speech or language delays
These signs can be linked to breathing difficulties that disturb sleep, which may significantly impact a child’s health and development if unaddressed.
The Role of Early Intervention
Early diagnosis and management can:
- Improve sleep quality and reduce snoring and/or grinding
- Support proper facial and jaw growth
- Enhance focus, learning and behaviour
- Reduce the need for future orthodontic or medical treatments
Why Regular Reviews and Check-ups are Crucial:
Regular dental visits (every 6 months or as recommended) are an important part of maintaining your child’s oral and overall health and closely monitoring your child’s oral and airway development.
During dental visits, we:
- Assess for nasal breathing, tongue posture and jaw development
- Identify early signs of airway restriction or mouth breathing
- Monitor changes in bite or facial structure that may indicate airway concerns
- Provide tailored advice to encourage healthy breathing and sleep habits
- Collaborate with other healthcare professionals when referral is needed, e.g., ENT, myofunctional therapists
Early detection allows for timely care and supports your child’s long-term health and development.