How well does your child breathe? If they have not been diagnosed with asthma or another serious respiratory condition, you might think their breathing is just fine! However, airway management in children is more nuanced than that. Your little one might need to be evaluated by a dentist who understands how the upper airway works and how its function can be optimized. What exactly s pediatric airway management in Portland, and what can you expect from it? This guide explains all the basics you should know.
What Is Airway Management?
The term “airway management” can refer to a number of different medical treatments that aim to encourage the free exchange of oxygen through the upper airway, which includes the mouth, nose, and throat.
Dental airway management can be useful in many different situations. It might benefit your child if:
- They frequently breathe through their mouth.
- They snore often or exhibit signs of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
- Their teeth and/or jaws are significantly misaligned.
(As a side note, airway management can also refer to procedures used in emergency medicine to help a patient who is struggling to breathe. For example, it includes intubation. This blog post focuses primarily on airway management services that can be provided by a dentist.)
The Importance of Airway Management
Airway management during childhood is important because without it, breathing problems can lead to years of oral problems. For example, low-quality sleep due to an obstructed airway may adversely affect your child’s behavior, their performance in school, and their emotional health. If they frequently breathe through their mouth, they may be at a greatly increased risk of cavities and other oral health problems. Early intervention can prevent such issues.
It is also worth noting that because the teeth and jaws of children are still growing, proper airway management can guide how those structures develop. Therefore, it may reduce the risk that surgical intervention will be required in the future.
What to Expect with Airway Management
There are a few different techniques that dentists may use as part of an airway management treatment plan. For example:
- Braces and other types of orthodontia may be used to guide the development of the teeth and jaws, which can lead to improved breathing.
- The Vivos system is a special type of functional orthodontics that aims to gently reshape the jaws in a way that promotes better breathing.
- Laser treatment may tighten loose tissues in the throat. It may be suitable for some older children.
Of course, other treatments may be available from care practitioners outside of dentistry. Your airway management dentist can determine if such approaches might be more suitable for your child.
Airway management is important for children’s health! Talk to a qualified practitioner to learn more about it.
Meet the Practice
Dr. Russ Teasdale has been practicing dentistry for more than 40 years. He enjoys working with patients of a variety of ages, and he has a special passion for airway management, sleep apnea treatment, and TMJ disorder management. If you believe someone in your family could benefit from his services, contact Evolution Dental in Portland at 503-974-3829.