Cavities and Fillings

At Ceres Pediatric Dentistry, we believe that children deserve more than just healthy teeth—they deserve healthy, restful sleep and the ability to breathe with ease. That’s why Dr. Sofia takes an airway-centered approach to pediatric dental care. By focusing on the full craniofacial and respiratory development of your child, we can help identify and treat issues that go far beyond cavities and braces. This comprehensive outlook is especially important when it comes to airway development and sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) in children.

Understanding Airway Development in Children

Breathing is something we all do naturally—but when a child has trouble breathing through their nose or relies on their mouth to breathe, it can signal more than just a passing cold. It can indicate airway obstruction or underdevelopment, which may lead to long-term challenges if not addressed early.

Why Airway Health Matters

The airway includes the nose, throat, mouth, and the surrounding structures such as the jaws and facial muscles. These components all work together to allow for normal breathing, especially during sleep when the muscles naturally relax. If your child has a narrow airway, recessed jaw, or enlarged tonsils/adenoids, it can create a bottleneck for airflow. This leads to disrupted sleep, behavioral problems, and even delayed growth or development.

What Affects a Child’s Airway?

Several factors can influence the development of a child’s airway, including:

• Genetics: Jaw size and facial structure are often inherited.
• Mouth Breathing: Chronic mouth breathing can actually shape the way the face and jaws grow.
• Allergies or Nasal Blockages: When nasal passages are blocked due to allergies, colds, or enlarged adenoids, children may become habitual mouth breathers.
• Tongue Posture and Function: A low-resting tongue or tongue-tie (ankyloglossia) can affect how the palate forms and whether the airway remains open.
• Diet and Chewing Habits: Modern diets of softer foods may reduce the stimulus for jaw development.

At Ceres Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Sofia pays special attention to these developmental clues during each visit, making sure your child’s airway is developing the way it should.

Signs Your Child May Have Airway Issues

Because airway problems often develop silently and gradually, they’re easy to miss without a trained eye. Some of the signs may seem unrelated to breathing, but they are all connected:

• Chronic mouth breathing
• Snoring or noisy breathing during sleep
• Frequent ear infections or allergies
• Dark circles under the eyes (“allergic shiners”)
• Crowded teeth or a narrow palate
• A long face or recessed chin
• Thumb sucking or prolonged pacifier use
• A tendency to avoid chewy or tough foods

These signs often reflect compensations the body makes to maintain airflow—compensations that may seem normal at first but can have significant developmental consequences if left unaddressed. Contact us to learn more.

How We Assess the Airway at Ceres Pediatric Dentistry

When you bring your child to Dr. Sofia, we don’t just look at their teeth—we take a whole-health approach to examine the airway, jaw growth, tongue posture, breathing habits, and sleep behavior. Here’s how we do it:

• Facial and dental development analysis
• Evaluation of tonsils, adenoids, and nasal passages
• Tongue-tie and lip-tie assessment
• Review of breathing patterns during sleep
• Myofunctional assessment (how the tongue and facial muscles function)

By identifying potential issues early, we can intervene in a proactive and non-invasive way—often with lasting results.

Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB) in Children

Sleep Disordered Breathing is a term that includes a spectrum of breathing issues during sleep—from mild snoring to obstructive sleep apnea. In children, even mild forms of SDB can have a big impact.

Sleep is when the body and brain recharge. If your child isn’t breathing properly at night, they may not be getting the deep, restorative sleep they need—leading to daytime symptoms that are often mistaken for behavioral or developmental concerns.

Signs and Symptoms of Sleep Disordered Breathing

Dr. Sofia looks for key indicators of potential SDB during routine exams, including:

• Teeth grinding (bruxism)
• Snoring
• Frequent nighttime urination
• ADD/ADHD symptoms
• Anxiety or irritability
• Bedwetting (nocturnal enuresis)
• Enlarged tonsils or adenoids
• Mouth breathing

Why Early Intervention Matters

Many children have undiagnosed sleep-disordered breathing, with symptoms often going unnoticed. However, long-term sleep disruption can significantly impact your child's physical and mental wellbeing. At Ceres Pediatric Dentistry, we're passionate about identifying and addressing these issues early to prevent lifelong breathing and sleeping problems.

Treatment Options for Airway and Sleep Issues

Every child is different, and Dr. Sofia will tailor treatment to meet your child’s unique needs. Depending on the severity of the airway or sleep issue, we may recommend one or more of the following:

Myofunctional Therapy

This therapy involves exercises that strengthen the tongue and orofacial muscles, helping to promote nasal breathing, correct tongue posture, and improve the way your child swallows and speaks.

Tongue-Tie Release

If your child is tongue-tied, it can restrict the tongue’s natural range of motion and affect how the palate forms. A simple procedure known as a frenectomy can free the tongue and improve mobility, breathing, and even speech.

Expansion Appliances

Narrow palates can restrict the nasal airway. Custom dental appliances—such as a palatal expander—can widen the upper jaw, improving breathing and making room for developing teeth.

We also offer advanced orthopedic solutions, including:

• Rapid Maxillary Expansion (RME): A proven method to permanently widen a narrow palate.
• Lip Bumpers:Used in specific cases to create space and gently move teeth and supporting structures into healthier positions.

Nasal Hygiene: A Simple but Powerful Habit

Breathe In, Blow Out!

Good nasal hygiene is essential, especially for children who often breathe through their mouths. Proper nasal care supports open airways during sleep, helping to reduce snoring and improve sleep quality.

Daily Tip: Use a saline nasal spray morning and night to clear nasal passages and make breathing easier. Pair this habit with tooth brushing so it becomes part of your family’s routine.

Humans are naturally designed to breathe through the nose—not the mouth. By maintaining nasal cleanliness, you're helping your child build the foundation for better sleep, stronger immunity, and overall improved health.

Is Your Child a Candidate for Sleep Disorder Breathing Evaluation?

SDB can manifest in various ways, often with symptoms that seem unrelated to sleep or breathing. Early detection is essential for healthy development. Consider a consultation with Dr. Sofia if your child exhibits any of the following signs:

• Mouth breathing
• Crowded or crooked teeth
• Teeth grinding/clenching
• Frequent cavities
• Snoring
• Restless sleep or frequent waking
• Bedwetting
• ADD/ADHD-like symptoms
• Dark under-eye circles
• Recessed chin
• Large tonsils/adenoids
• Nasal allergies
• Avoidance of hard or chewy foods

These symptoms may indicate that your child’s airway is compromised during sleep—impacting everything from behavior to growth.

The Role of Pediatric Dentists in Airway and Sleep Health

The American Dental Association (ADA) acknowledges the essential role that dentists play in recognizing and managing sleep-related breathing disorders. In fact, dentists are often the first to spot the signs.

“Dentists can and do play an essential role in the multidisciplinary care of patients with certain sleep related breathing disorders and are well positioned to identify patients at greater risk of SRBD... Best treated through a collaborative model.”

— American Dental Association

At Ceres Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Sofia works closely with other healthcare professionals—including pediatricians, ENTs, and sleep specialists—to ensure your child receives the most complete care possible.

Let’s Help Your Child Breathe and Sleep Better

Healthy breathing means healthy living. If your child struggles with poor sleep, behavioral concerns, or mouth breathing, don’t wait. These issues are often symptoms of a deeper problem—and early treatment can make a world of difference.

At Ceres Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Sofia is committed to helping your child thrive by supporting not just their teeth but their total health. From identifying airway issues early to offering customized treatment options, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.

Schedule Your Child’s Airway and Sleep Consultation Today

Let us help your child get the sleep—and the smiles—they deserve. Contact us today to book an airway and sleep evaluation with Dr. Sofia at Ceres Pediatric Dentistry in Ceres, CA.

For the best dental care, visit Ceres Pediatric Dentistry at 2561 3rd St., Suite A, Ceres, CA 95307, or call (209) 538-9298.