Becoming a parent is one of the most rewarding things that life has to offer. Your baby, whether newborn, infant, or toddler is a wonderful gift but also a huge responsibility. For a new parent, it might be quite the realization that this little life depends on you for everything! With so much to be on the lookout for, one topic we can help shed some light on is airway clearance and its effect on your child’s development.
Airway Clearance and Airway Focused Dentistry
Airway clearance is the ability to maintain a clean environment in airways. As your children grow, it’s important for them to develop proper breathing habits; otherwise, it can lead to significant health issues as teens and adults. The American Dental Association (ADA) states that dentists can play a critical role in the risk assessment and referral for both diagnosis and treatment related to problems with airway clearance. The goal of professional airway dentistry is to detect symptoms at an early age to treat and prevent disorders.
Benefits of early examination, diagnosis, and treatment are:
- Removing the possibility of harmful factors influencing the child’s growth
- Helping to improve the child’s psychological well-being
- Preventing future surgeries
According to the ADA, some health concerns that may develop now in you infant or later in life, due to untreated airway clearance disturbances, include:
- Chronic Allergies
- Inflammatory Diseases
- Prolonged Bedwetting
- Night Terrors
- Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder
- Sleep Apnea
Quite a few of these relate to your child’s ability to get adequate rest. Sleep disorders in children are common, and it can even start in infancy. Sleep deprivation can lead to a host of other problems, ranging from academic, behavioral, developmental, heath, and social. This can have lifelong effects on one’s sleeping patterns, a child’s developing nervous system, and a child’s developing brain function.
Does Your Baby Need Professional Airway Dentistry?
Indicators that your baby might need a risk assessment appointment concerning airway clearance:
- Does your baby snore?
- Does your baby breathe loudly when sleeping?
- Does your baby breathe most through their mouth?
- Does your baby have nasal congestion?
- Does your baby often pause their breathing during sleep?
These indicators—taken infrequently and alone—do not necessarily mean that your child is at risk. If you believe your baby needs an appointment for airway focused dentistry please contact us. At Dakota Dental, we’re dedicated to our patients and understand the unique needs of being a parent.
For more information about airway dentistry for infants or to schedule an appointment, contact Dakota Dental today.