You're already thinking about what's best for your child, including what they're eating, how well they're sleeping, and whether they're developing as they should. But there's one overlooked factor that can affect everything from the shape of their face to their ability to learn and even their overall health later in life: how they breathe.
At Le Denté, we've met numerous families who were surprised to find out that something as basic as mouth breathing in children can be the source of so many developmental and health issues. How your child breathes, particularly during the all-important growing years, can influence not just their face, but also the way they work, sleep, communicate, and grow.
Most of us don’t give much thought to how we breathe—after all, it’s something we do automatically, right? Nasal breathing is crucial for proper facial development. It purifies the air, warms it, and moistens it, keeping airways healthy. Just as significant, it enables correct tongue position, which facilitates proper pediatric airway growth and guides upper jaw development.
Now, contrast that with mouth breathing—a habit, if left untreated, that can create a domino effect of developmental issues. When a person is a mouth breather, the tongue will rest low in the mouth rather than against the palate. This relatively slight change can lead to mouth breathing, crooked teeth, narrow dental arches, improper jaw development, and even changes in overall facial structure.
We observe it on a daily basis in children at Le Denté, where these improper breathing patterns are related to more significant problems, such as sleep disturbances, orthodontic issues, and behavioral difficulties.
If you've never actually noticed how your child breathes, now is the time to begin. Some of the symptoms are subtle, but they tell a lot if you know what to look for.
Some of the common signs of a child's mouth breathing at night are:
• Slightly open mouth when relaxed, or watching TV
• Recurring chapped lips or dry lips
• Snoring and behavioral issues during the day
• Restless sleep or tossing and turning at night
• Dark circles under the eyes
• Long, narrow face (also referred to as long face syndrome)
• Daytime fatigue in children after a full night's sleep
These symptoms are not always frightening at first, but they're usually the beginning of more serious breathing-related sleep issues. And although some parents think their child will "outgrow" it, in reality, these conditions will worsen if they're not addressed.
One of the most important things to understand is that mouth breathing is not just a phase. If left unchecked, it has the ability to disrupt everything from oral health to brain development. Yes, mouth breathing and brain development are closely linked. That's because low-quality sleep, caused by inadequate oxygen penetration at night, can impair mental clarity, hinder memory retention, and slow cognitive function in growing children.
Some of the long-term consequences of untreated mouth breathing are:
• Dental problems caused by mouth breathing, like misaligned teeth or crowding
• Changes in facial growth and posture, resulting in suboptimal appearance and function
• Teeth grinding in children, particularly at night
• Speech impairment and delayed development
• Narrow airways and high risk of pediatric sleep-disordered breathing
• Potential development of sleep apnea, which requires long-term management
• Behavioral problems because of inadequate quality of sleep, usually diagnosed as ADHD
These results may sound dramatic, but we've witnessed them firsthand at Le Denté, where our work in early orthodontic intervention has helped thousands of children avoid more complex procedures in later life.
When breathing patterns are disrupted during early development, the airway will narrow and become less effective. In the majority of children, this will lead to sleep-disordered breathing and, in some, to full-blown obstructive sleep apnea.
If your kid snores on a regular basis, can't focus in the daytime, or feels groggy in the morning even after a whole night of sleep, these are all warning signs of sleep apnea. That's why consulting a sleep disorder dentist in UAE early on is so crucial—someone who knows not only the teeth, but also how the whole facial structure and airway work and function with one another.
At Le Denté, we take a multidisciplinary approach, integrating dental, orthodontic, and airway-focused assessments to properly diagnose pediatric sleep-disordered breathing and develop a care plan centered on your child's long-term health.
We don't simply fix teeth; we look at the bigger picture. That's why we provide comprehensive assessments of airway development, oral posture, and breathing function. Our clinicians recognize risk factors early and guide parents through effective, child-centered solutions.
One of the most effective tools we employ is myofunctional therapy for children. This is a series of exercises that retrain the facial, lip, and tongue muscles to rest in their proper positions. By doing this, we promote nasal breathing, widen the palate, and support optimal jaw development. This not only enhances sleep and oxygenation but also supports speech, posture, and self-esteem.
If you've observed symptoms of mouth breathing in your child, don't delay. The sooner we detect and correct these patterns, the better we will be able to guide the growth of your child.
Le Denté is recognized as the best dental clinic for sleep apnea, not only for its technical expertise, but also for our strong commitment to the importance of early childhood care and development. We have assisted thousands of families in finding the underlying causes of their breathing-related sleep issues and addressing them before they became more complicated.
In cases where sleep apnea is diagnosed, we suggest a proper evaluation and treatment of sleep apnea in Dubai. This may involve nasal breathing support or oral devices, allowing us to offer an integrated care plan of pediatric airway development. Our team guides parents through every step of the process, ensuring that they feel supported, educated, and reassured.
Now, it's time to pay attention to your child's breathing habits. A slightly open mouth, fidgeting during sleep, or trouble focusing in school may be indications that your child's airway needs a little help.
At Le Denté, we believe that prevention is the best intervention. Our initial airway examinations and personalized treatment plans are designed to provide children with healthier breathing, improved facial growth, and better sleep, enabling them to grow emotionally, mentally, and physically.
If you are concerned about your child's breathing, sleep patterns, or development, we invite you to request a consultation. With loving care and the latest technology, we will guide you to the source of the problem and develop a plan that ensures your child's smile and overall health are as it should be.
