What Is Airway-Centered Dentistry?
At Dr. Ian Gray Dental Group, we focus on airway health for adults and children. Traditional dentistry mainly focuses on your teeth and gums. We believe that ensuring your airway is open and working properly can eliminate many problems that can develop with your oral and overall health. Depending on your needs, we may use treatment methods such as orthodontics, dental procedures, and oral appliances.
Problems Associated with an Unhealthy Airway
There are three problems that are associated with an unhealthy airway:
Mouth Breathing
Your nose is meant for breathing, not your mouth. However, if your airway is not working properly, your mouth will work with your nose to ensure you are breathing in the amount of oxygen your body needs. When you use your mouth to breathe, your body is not filtering out the toxins that can cause problems. Mouth breathing can also cause the mouth to dry out, leading to a problem with tooth decay.
Sleep-Disordered Breathing
If your airway does not develop properly, you may have trouble breathing properly when you sleep. One common condition that can develop is obstructive sleep apnea, also known as OSA. OSA can be extremely harmful to your overall health because you actually stop breathing for a short period multiple times during sleep.
TMJ Disorder
If your airway isn’t large enough, it can affect the development of your jaw. This can place extra pressure on your temporomandibular joint, leading to issues such as frequent headaches, jaw tension, difficulty chewing, and facial discomfort.
Children Need a Healthy Airway
Adults are not the only ones who suffer from breathing issues. Children can also experience problems and benefit from treatment to eliminate breathing issues. Early intervention in children can often prevent the need for braces in the future. A poor airway in children can lead to the following problems:
- Bedwetting
- Snoring
- Chronic allergies
- Asthma
- Behavioral problems
- Restlessness during the night
We work with our patients of all ages to determine if they have airway problems. Following a thorough examination, we will make our recommendation for treatment. If you are in Newmarket, ON or the surrounding area and feel that you or your loved one may be experiencing a problem, be sure to contact our office to schedule an appointment. We look forward to helping you!
