Facial and Airway Development

Form Follows Function:

How we nurse as infants, swallow, chew, and breathe are all vital actions that stimulate the proper growth of our jaws and airways.

The correct development of the jaws is crucial, as it directly influences airway formation and has a significant impact on how we sleep and grow. A deficiency in this area can often lead to misdiagnoses in children. To help children reach their fullest potential, Dr. Ehde regularly assesses the function of the tongue, nasal breathing, and overall growth to ensure optimal development.

However, we are witnessing a concerning trend of decreasing jaw and airway size in our society, coupled with an increase in sleep-disordered breathing among children. This can contribute to a range of issues such as ADHD, bedwetting, speech impediments, and anxiety or panic disorders.

Lack of Growth and Sleep
Signs and Symptoms

  • Mouth Breathing

  • Gummy Smile

  • Inability to keep the lips closed at rest

  • Crowding of the teeth or lack of spacing between all baby teeth

  • Inability to chew with lips closed

  • Improper swallowing

  • Forward Head Posture

  • Dark Circles under the eyes

  • Inability to focus

  • ADHD

  • Bedwetting

  • Behavioral Issues

  • Failure to Thrive

  • Sleep Terrors

  • Restless sleep

  • Learning Difficulties

  • Snoring

Treatment Modalities

To address this growing concern, we utilize several treatment methods, including:

  • Scanning to assess the size of the adenoids and tonsils

  • Laser therapies to reduce enlarged tonsils

  • Buteyko Breathing techniques to balance the nervous system and encourage proper nasal breathing

  • Myofunctional therapy 

  • Sleep studies to screen for apnea and other sleep disorders

  • Facial growth guides

  • Clear aligner therapies

  • Orthodontics/Expansion

These treatments aim to support proper craniofacial development, promote healthy breathing, and improve overall well-being for children.