Poor sleep quality, chronic headaches, impaired academic performance, and unexplained hyperactivity are just a few challenges to your child’s health and quality of life that can be treated effectively at our holistic and biological dentist’s office.
How could a dentist treat these types of problems?
The issues mentioned above may be complications or symptoms of underlying airway imbalances. Dentistry by Shane Nelson, DDS, boasts considerable advanced training and experience in oral anatomy and function to resolve these problems at the source. Dr. Nelson may recommend early orthodontic treatment and the HealthyStart® Program to Overland Park, Kansas, pediatric patients.
How does airway function give rise to problems that seemingly have nothing to do with the mouth?
Many oral conditions can hamper children’s capacity to move air through their airways. This is a vital function because proper airflow supports adequate oxygenation of tissues and organs throughout the body. So, it can impact mood or cognition, even if the organs and structures most associated with these functions are distant from the oral cavity (mouth). Furthermore, sustained lack of proper oxygenation takes a toll on essential organs and their functioning, contributing to an increased risk of serious diseases such as heart disease and kidney dysfunction.
What oral conditions affect the airway?
Some of the biggest oral problems implicated in airway dysfunction include crowding of teeth, misalignment, and bite imbalances, such as an overbite or underbite where either the upper or lower jaw protrudes, respectively. Additionally, your child’s jaw may be underdeveloped – a challenge that can be detected proactively with regular and early evaluation by Dr. Nelson.
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What are some signs that my child needs to be evaluated/treated?
For instance, your child may suffer from disordered breathing during sleep if they always go to bed early. When children are tired, they may become hyperactive. So, your kid may display symptoms that look like ADD/ADHD, such as behavioral problems, poor concentration, and frequent fidgeting. They may also complain about persistent allergies and headaches. Academic performance tends to suffer.
How does HealthyStart® help?
HealthyStart® is a program backed by 54 years of research and development, designed to treat Sleep-Disordered Breathing (SDB) in over four million children worldwide. It offers an “early intervention” treatment without the need for braces. If Shane Nelson DDS determines that your child could benefit from HealthyStart®, you will receive a series of oral appliances. These devices are specifically designed to guide normal jaw growth and teeth alignment gently. They also function as “arch expanders,” promoting proper early development by creating additional space in the jaws for teeth and facilitating improved airflow.
In addition to the appliances, your child may be provided with myofunctional exercises aimed at correcting detrimental habits that can lead to mouth breathing and airway disorders, such as tongue thrusting, excessive pacifier use, and thumb sucking.
Our Overland Park, KS team can give your child the healthiest start. Call us at (913) 297-7800 to learn more.
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