Blocked pediatric airway dentist

As much as you don’t always want to admit it, your child is the quintessential “problem child.” They struggle in school, enjoy bullying other children, and rarely listen to anything you tell them. Even though they’re past the “terrible two’s” they still throw temper tantrums to get what they want. When you look online for the cause, everyone’s saying the same thing: bad parenting or ADHD.

You feel like all of this is your fault — that your child’s poor behavior is reflective of your parenting. In reality, there’s a good chance your child is suffering from something a little less obscure: an obstructed airway. Obstructed airways keep children from sleeping at night, just as sleep apnea does in adults. When a child can’t sleep, their performance in school and their behavior at home is directly affected. They’re tired and because they’re young, the only thing they know to do in response is lash out.

If it’s not ADHD then what is it?

Instead of giving the child a multitude of harmful drugs (as doctors do when they “treat” ADHD), we treat children with sleep-disordered breathing from a more holistic approach. Dr. Bobbi takes a look at what’s causing the obstruction and tries to treat the problem at its root. Because of this, our team has an extremely high success rate when it comes to fixing an obstructed pediatric airway.

By the end of the treatment, parents are always amazed by how dramatically different their child is. If you think your child may be suffering from an obstructed airway, schedule an appointment today. One appointment could make a huge difference in your child’s life.

What are the symptoms of a blocked airway? Is your child:

  • Snoring
  • Experiencing daytime drowsiness
  • Performing poorly in school
  • Mouth-breathing
  • Experiencing severe, untreated allergies

If you replied “yes” to any of these, schedule an appointment at Stanley Dentistry as soon as possible.

What causes a blocked pediatric airway?

As children grow, and their permanent teeth come in, their facial shape changes dramatically. The jaw develops, the roof of the mouth becomes larger, and they begin to look more and more like a grown-up and less and less like a child. If everything develops correctly, your growing child will have a proper profile and a healthy, open airway. But, if things don’t develop correctly (as is often the case), there can be serious, long-term problems.

A major reason why a child’s facial structure may not develop correctly is because of a blocked pediatric airway. Mouth breathing and bruxism (teeth grinding) are two of the most dangerous symptoms of a blocked airway. Regular mouth breathing forces the mouth to develop abnormally. Bruxism can cause permanent damage to tooth enamel and the jaw. A few of the causes of an obstructed pediatric airway include:

  • Large adenoids or tonsils
  • Large tongue
  • Long epiglottis
  • Crowded mouth
  • Allergies

The soft tissue in the mouth is oftentimes significantly larger in children than adults. At night, this tissue can fall back into the throat, blocking the airway. Allergies can cause mucus buildup in the nose, encouraging mouth-breathing.

How can you fix a blocked airway in kids?

There are a few different ways to remove the obstruction in a child’s airway depending on what the obstruction is. If Dr. Bobbi determines that severe allergies are forcing your child to mouth-breathe, she’ll send you to an allergy specialist. If she thinks it’s your child’s tonsils, she might recommend getting a tonsillectomy (removal of the tonsils).

For more difficult cases, Dr. Bobbi may prescribe a variety of treatments — from oral exercises to orthodontics.

Frequently Asked Questions about

Blocked Pediatric Airway

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Is it normal that my child snores?

Children should never snore. Snoring can be a sign of a blocked pediatric airway. Mouth breathing and bruxism (teeth grinding) are two of the most common symptoms of a blocked airway. If your child snores and has these symptoms, you should consult a dentist. Causes of a blocked pediatric airway can include large adenoids or tonsils, large tongue, long epiglottis, or even obesity. Your dentist may refer you to a pediatric ENT specialist to determine the cause of the snoring and rule out any serious medical problems.

Why should you believe us?

Don’t take our word for it! See what 1,000 happy patients have to say!

We don’t want to toot our own horn, but we are proud of our reputation. We feel that it is a reflection of the hard work and dedication we have committed to our profession, as well as a representation of the passion we have for providing exceptional care to our patients. At Stanley Dentistry, our goal is to earn our patient’s trust and loyalty.

The Stanley Dentistry badge, which consists of three horizontal lines. The top line is flat, the second is slightly curved, and the third is more curved. This represents the journey to finding your smile!The Stanley Dentistry badge, which consists of three horizontal lines. The top line is flat, the second is slightly curved, and the third is more curved. This represents the journey to finding your smile!
Are we the right dental practice for you?

Winner of 21 22 best dentist awards

We’re honored to have been awarded 22 best dentist awards by the Triangle community. From the Western Wake County Maggy Awards to the News and Observers Raleigh’s Best, our patients have been vocal in their support!

How can we help you today?

The first step on your journey to exceptional dental care is for us to learn more about your specific needs.

Tell us about your dental needs!
Dr. Rob and Dr. Bobbi with patient
The Stanley Dentistry badge, which consists of three horizontal lines. The top line is flat, the second is slightly curved, and the third is more curved. This represents the journey to finding your smile!