Abstract
Oral health and facial growth constitute an interlinked complex process involving various factors, including genetics, nutrition, and oral habits. A normal balanced face is the result of more than just bone growth; it is the balance of normally functioning muscles, proper nutrition, and the ability to breathe normally. Scientific literature and studies have shown that when these delicate balances are altered, changes in health and appearance occur. Early detection of a tongue tie is important to minimize the negative effects on growth. Tongue restriction heavily influences jaw growth and development and class II malocclusions. One of the most common abnormalities in a child’s facial growth and development is caused by a compromised airway or, simply stated, the inability to breathe properly through the nose. The child’s dentist working closely with an ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat Specialist) can help to assess and eliminate the causative factors of facial growth abnormalities. When corrected early in a child’s life, facial growth is encouraged to return to harmonious development.
The role of your dentist is more than just taking care of your child’s teeth. The goal of almost every dentist is to monitor and guide the growth and development of young children to maintain their facial, achieve a beautiful “full smile”, a normal and functional bite, no TMJ problems, and a lifetime of oral health.
Learning Objectives
- Understand the link between tongue tie and oral health development.
- Understand the link between airway health and oral health.
- Understand the effect of a compromised airway on facial growth and occlusion.
- Understand the impact of mouth breathing on oral health and the overall health of a growing patient.
- Understand the iceberg of poor jaw and airway development and the different aspects of treating them within a multi-disciplinary team.
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