At Homegrown Pediatric Dentistry we focus on Whole Body Health. Addressing the root cause is our main goal.
Breathing primarily through the mouth instead of through the nostrils can have detrimental effects on the overall health of adults and children alike. Dr. Sarah can assess your child for mouth breathing/narrow airway and develop a plan to get your child to breathe naturally and properly.
When we are born, our tongue and face muscles begin to strengthen and develop by means of breastfeeding and swallowing. The tongue creates force on the roof of the mouth (called the palate) signaling the palate and jaw to grow. If a proper swallow is not developed or tongue pressure is applied incorrectly, it can change the shape and size of our mouth and airway. Improper tongue pressure and placement can be caused by bottle-feeding, thumb sucking, pacifier use, soft food diets, genetics and other factors. As the problem progresses, the mouth is too small, and the lower jaw and tongue start to slide back causing narrowing of the airway. With the airway narrowed, the child begins to supplement their poor airway by breathing through the mouth instead of through the nose.
Dr. Sarah will provide a consult to obtain medical history, assess oral and facial structure, measure the mouth/oral airway, take imaging and make recommendations. All questions and concerns will be answered. We can provide an at home sleep study using our Sleep Image Ring. The ring is placed on the child’s finger at bedtime to track vital signs and sleep patterns.
At Homegrown Pediatric Dentistry we use a multifaceted approach to correct Mouth Breathing and narrow airway. We offer myofunctional therapy, Vivos mouthpieces and palatal expanders. In less severe cases myofunctional therapy can correct mouth breathing and narrow airway. In more advanced cases we use the Vivos mouthpiece in conjunction with myofunctional therapy and palatal expanders.
Myofunctional Therapy consists of facial and mouth movements that exercise, stretch and strengthen the tongue, mouth and facial muscles. When these muscles get stronger, the mouth and tongue start to sit in a more natural position. The strengthened tongue begins to create pressure on the roof of the mouth signaling the palate to widen and grow. When the palate starts to expand, it creates space for the lower jaw to move forward, pulling the tongue with it. This creates space in the back of the mouth increasing the size of the airway. The natural exercises used in myofunctional therapy can create a larger airway, shift mouth breathing to nasal breathing, provide for proper tongue placement, create a better swallow and decrease risk of choking, encourage proper facial growth, straighten teeth and reduce a myriad of health and behavioral issues. Dr. Sarah is certified in myofunctional therapy and can tailor a specific plan for your child. Schedule a consultation to start healing your child today.
At Homegrown we have partnered with VIVOS to bring the highest level of technology into our office to correct mouth breathing and narrow airway. VIVOS makes a mouthpiece that is designed to put the tongue into proper placement. The mouthpiece has a built-in button that kids can’t resist pushing with their tongue. The button on the mouthpiece strengthens the tongue. The Mouthpiece creates pressure on the palate and teeth forcing the palate to widen creating space for the teeth and opening the airway. The mouthpiece also promotes proper lip seal and nasal breathing. The VIVOS mouthpiece is worn primarily at nighttime and is indicated for children 3 years old and up.
A palatal expander is device that is fitted onto the back teeth and spans across the roof of the mouth. The expander creates outward pressure causing the palate to expand and grow. This creates more space for the teeth and prevents crowding. When the palate expands there is more room for the lower jaw to grow and move forward. When the lower jaw moves forward the tongue moves with it creating more space at the back of the mouth and a larger airway. Expanders are commonly used in orthodontics and to treat narrow airways. For severe narrow airway cases expanders are used in conjunction with the Vivos mouthpiece and myofunctional therapy. At Homegrown Pediatric Dentistry we offer two types of expanders;
Dr. Sarah Carpenter is a mother herself, and she understands the level of trust you put in the healthcare providers you choose for your family. It’s not a choice to be taken lightly, and she is honored to be trusted with your children.
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