Understanding How Airway-Focused Dentistry Can Enhance Your Child’s Smile and Overall Health
At Amp Orthodontics & Kids Dental, we recognize that orthodontic care is about much more than straightening teeth—it’s about supporting your overall health and well-being. Dr. Adam Hoina, our board-certified orthodontist, brings a unique perspective to his practice, as he has lived with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) his entire life. This experience fuels his dedication to addressing airway health proactively, using the latest research and evidence-based treatments to help families optimize their children’s development.
Our airway-focused orthodontics approach goes beyond teeth alignment, assessing how factors like maxillofacial skeletal structure and nasopharyngeal tissues can impact your child’s growth. Dr. Hoina conducts thorough assessments of each patient’s anatomy and physiology, tailoring treatment plans to correct habits like mouth breathing and improve overall airway health. By working closely with specialists, including ENTs, speech therapists, and myofunctional therapists, we address these issues holistically, helping to prevent more complex conditions later in life.
Can Adults Benefit from Airway Orthodontics?
Absolutely. Airway issues can lead to a wide range of complications, including sleep disruptions, concentration challenges, jaw pain, and even facial development concerns. Dr. Hoina’s expertise in airway-focused orthodontics, supported by his commitment to the latest research, allows us to offer targeted solutions for patients of all ages:
For Adults, our treatments aim to reduce symptoms of sleep apnea, improve breathing quality, and enhance sleep, ultimately supporting overall health and wellness. For Children, early intervention can guide proper jaw growth, promote clear airways, and prevent habits like mouth breathing and improper swallowing. This proactive approach helps support healthy development.
What Are Common Airway Concerns in Children?
Children with narrow or underdeveloped airways often struggle to breathe through their nose, leading to chronic mouth breathing. This habit isn’t merely inconvenient—it can contribute to speech difficulties, tongue-thrusting, and broader health concerns. Airway deficiencies can influence facial development, jaw alignment, and posture, potentially resulting in complex orthodontic needs later in life. Reduced airway capacity may lead to sleep-disordered breathing or obstructive sleep apnea. Such conditions can cause developmental delays, misdiagnoses like ADHD, bedwetting, and difficulty focusing at school or home. If these issues persist into adulthood, they can progress into more severe health concerns, including chronic fatigue, brain fog, mood swings, focus challenges, cardiovascular issues, and a reduced life expectancy.
Dr. Hoina works collaboratively with medical professionals, such as ENTs and myofunctional therapists, to address airway-related concerns holistically. For children with sleep-disordered breathing, including obstructive sleep apnea, we partner with physicians to provide custom oral appliances that promote healthier breathing. When airway concerns contribute to TMJ symptoms, such as jaw pain radiating to the neck and shoulders, we develop treatments to enhance comfort and functionality. This integrated approach supports each patient’s healthy growth, optimal function, and quality of life.
How Do I Know if My Child Might Have an Airway Issue?
Common signs to watch for include mouth breathing, particularly during sleep or physical activities, as well as snoring or noisy breathing at night. Children with airway concerns may also experience restless sleep, frequent waking, or even bedwetting, which can lead to daytime fatigue or difficulty concentrating. Behavioral signs, like speech difficulties, tongue-thrusting, or jaw discomfort while eating, can also point to underlying airway challenges.
If you notice any of these symptoms, an evaluation with Dr. Hoina can help pinpoint any issues early. Using a holistic, airway-focused approach, we assess and treat these concerns through advanced orthodontic techniques, often collaborating with specialists to support optimal growth and development. Addressing these signs early can help guide your child toward improved breathing, better sleep, and a healthier future.
How can I proactively support my child’s airway?
A strong foundation starts with regular, six-month dental checkups. Dr. Hoina provides comprehensive pediatric dental care alongside orthodontic services for all ages, helping your child maintain a healthy, growing smile. The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) also recommends that children have their first orthodontic assessment by age seven. At this stage, as children transition from primary/baby teeth to secondary/permanent teeth, we can assess how the tissues and structures of the mouth, jaws, and airway are developing. By identifying and addressing concerns early, we can often manage issues effectively, providing treatment at a time when they’re easiest to correct.
What treatments are available at Amp Orthodontics & Kids Dental?
At our specialty center in Clemmons, NC, we curate personalized orthodontic treatments for both children and adults. For children, Dr. Hoina may recommend phase 1 or “interceptive orthodontics,” which proactively guides jaw growth and addresses early developmental concerns, setting a foundation for lasting oral health. For adults, our treatments focus on improving airway function, relieving sleep apnea symptoms, and supporting overall wellness. Depending on each patient’s needs, we may prescribe specialized orthodontic appliances, paired with exercises and behavioral therapies, to promote proper alignment, healthy breathing, and optimal development. If you or your child are due for a checkup or experiencing symptoms, call 336-999-0123. Our team at Amp Orthodontics & Kids Dental would be delighted to amplify your smile.
