Airway Focused Orthodontics

Underdeveloped jaws are the result of:

• Undiagnosed/untreated tethered oral tissues (tongue ties & lip ties)
• Poor tongue position and abnormal swallowing
• Extended bottle or pacifier use
• Processed modern, soft food diet
• Poor oral habits – thumb sucking, finger sucking, tongue thrust

Signs of a small airway:

• Mouth breathing – day or night
• Snoring
• Tooth grinding
• Swollen tonsils and/or adenoids
• Low tongue position/tongue thrust
• Teeth crowding
• Bite issues (overjet, underbite, overbite, open bite, crossbite)
• TMJ pain/dysfunction

Symptoms of sleep disordered breathing:

• ADD/ADHD symptoms
• Bed wetting
• Daytime drowsiness
• Nightmares
• Aggresion/defiance
• Difficulty in school
• Chronic allergies
• Restless sleep

WE can help!

Proper airway development depends on the forward growth of the jaws, which is strongly related to the tongue placement and the strength of the tongue.  When the entire tongue is resting in the roof of the mouth, the jaws grow wide and forward which helps establish an adequate airway for proper nasal breathing.

There are 3 main things that impact the tongue’s ability to rest in the roof of the mouth.

• TONGUE SPACE
• TONGUE STRENGTH
• TONGUE TIES

We at Braces by Bird assess your jaw development, create space for the tongue and teeth and create stunning, healthy smiles! We can use fixed expanders or removable guide appliances to create tongue space and a healthier airway!