Why is Airway Obstruction a Problem?
Proper growth of the jaws is determined by the position of the tongue. The tongue is the strongest muscle in the body, and it is supposed to spend most of its’ time resting against the palate (roof of the mouth). In this position it guides the growth of the upper jaw. An obstructed airway can alter the natural resting position of the tongue and cause abnormal growth of the jaws. Airway obstruction can also cause sleep apnea in children. Sleep apnea reduces a child’s IQ by an average 16 points and is often misdiagnosed as ADD or ADHD. It needs to be taken very seriously. Common Types of Obstruction Most airway obstruction in children is a result of enlarged tonsils and/or adenoids. Enlarged adenoids make it very difficult to breathe through the nose. As a result, the child becomes a chronic mouth breather. When breathing through the mouth, the tongue does not contact the palate and as a result the upper arch can become very narrow. Enlarged tonsils can leave insufficient space for the t
