Beyond the Smile: Why We Check Your Child’s Airway at Every Visit

Did you know your child’s dental checkup includes more than just their teeth? At our practice, we take a whole-child approach — and that includes evaluating their airway health.

Pediatric dentists are uniquely trained to assess how your child’s mouth, jaw, and airway are developing. This matters because proper airflow is essential for brain development, restful sleep, and even behavior.

At every visit, we examine the entire oral cavity — checking tonsil size, jaw shape, and signs of grinding — all of which can signal airway concerns. We also ask about sleep patterns, snoring, attention challenges, and habits like thumb sucking or pacifier use. These details help us get a complete picture of your child’s health and, if needed, guide referrals to trusted specialists like ENTs, pediatricians, or sleep centers.

As an added benefit, our orthodontic team also keeps airway health in mind. When orthodontic treatment is needed, we look at how jaw development and bite alignment can support better breathing — not just straighter teeth.

We’re proud to care for your child’s smile, airway, and overall well-being — because great dentistry is about more than just teeth.