So, how does this happen? When the airway of a developing child is compromised because of allergies, tonsils and adenoids, the child must breath through his mouth to get oxygen. The nasal passages become inflamed. The exchange of gases on and off the red blood cells is impeded due to the lack of Nitric Oxygen, or NO, which is continually produced by the epithelium of the nasal passages. The tongue stays on the floor of the mouth. The buccinator, or cheek muscles, in the absence of the balancing forces created by the tongue resting on the anterior two thirds of the palate, allow the collapse of the upper, or maxillary arch and prevent it from growing laterally. The result is a narrow, forward-growing maxilla, bilateral cross bites, and a high, arched palate. Often the nasal septum responds to the upward forces, causing a deviated septum, further compromising nasal breathing. The lower jaw, or mandible, which is influenced by the growth of the maxilla, grows down instead of down and forward. The result is an obtuse mandibular angle, a long lower third of the face, and often an anterior open bite. The airway can be further compromised on opening because the mandible opens down and back, instead of in a more downward direction.

As a parent, what can you look for to determine whether your child has a breathing disorder? Does your infant have difficulty sucking or staying latched onto the nipple? Does he fuss and cry more than you expect when feeding? He may be having trouble getting air through his nose, so he sucks until he needs air, then unlatches and cries before reattaching. Do the nostrils appear small, inadequate, and unused? Look at his tongue. Is it discolored from mouth breathing, or is there a tongue tie, limiting its ability to reach the palate? Does he have constant bad breath? Is he a messy eater with food all over his mouth? Are the lips continuously open when he plays or sleeps? Does he or she have dark circles under watery eyes? Is the lower third of the face growing too long? Does he have difficulty concentrating in school? Is he hyperactive? These can be some of the signs of a compromised airway.

What can you do? Ask your pediatrician to evaluate if your child’s tongue is tied as well as whether your child’s tonsils obstruct the pharynx. They may say to wait until the tonsils and adenoids shrink, usually around the age of five. If you receive such advice, consider getting an opinion from a physician familiar with sleep disorders. Consult a doctor who specializes in Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) conditions. You may also consult a pulmonologist, an expert in breathing disorders. Possibly the best screening medical professional is a dentist with knowledge about breathing disorders, particularly sleep breathing disorders. Dentist trained to recognize breathing disorders and associated malocclusion can point you in the right direction to have your child evaluated. There are procedures and techniques available to facilitate the normal growth and development of your child.

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Sensitive Teeth

Clenching your jaw and grinding your teeth can actually wear down the enamel of your teeth. Enamel is the hard, shiny, protective layer over your teeth. Enamel protects the softer tissues of your teeth as well as your tooth’s root. When enamel is worn away, cold or hot foods and drinks can cause pain because your tooth’s root may be exposed! Once your enamel is gone, there’s no way to replace it. Your dentist can tell during your regular checkups if you’re experiencing enamel loss. One of the most common symptoms of loss of enamel is sensitive teeth.

Headaches or Migraines

If you clench your teeth while you’re sleeping, your jaw is essentially exerting great force onto your teeth with no buffer. Experts estimate this amount to be three to ten times as much force as is exerted when chewing food. This is a huge amount of pressure on your teeth! This immense pressure can cause tension headaches, especially migraines.

If you suffer from headaches, especially in the morning, you could be clenching your teeth at night and not know it. Other symptoms of teeth clenching include jaw or facial pain, and your teeth may hurt as well. A custom nightly mouthguard can help protect your teeth from clenching and grinding at night, as they absorb the impact of your teeth clenching!

Chipped or Fractured Teeth

Teeth clenching can lead to chipped or fractured teeth! Chips are unsightly and often evident when you smile. To make matters worse, teeth that have lost enamel are much more susceptible to chips and even cavities. Fractured teeth are also more prone to cavities, and can cause bacteria to get to your tooth’s root. Chipped or fractured teeth may not seem like a big problem, but those cracks in your teeth can lead to bigger cracks and could end up costing you your smile. Teeth are not made to withstand teeth-on- teeth pressure contact, and over time, your teeth could sustain considerable damage from clenching!

Loose Teeth

Because of the impact that teeth clenching has on your gums and the connective tissue that holds your teeth in place, teeth clenching can cause loose teeth. Your gums can become inflamed when exposed to the pressure of teeth clenching and grinding, which can lead to damaged connective ligaments and tissue.

Over time, this will lead your teeth to become loose and they could eventually fall out. Although teeth clenching doesn’t necessarily cause periodontal disease, if you have periodontal disease, teeth clenching can make it worse!

Teeth clenching and grinding has more consequences than you think. This practice can damage your teeth and gums, and increases your risk for tooth damage and tooth loss. Talk to your dentist if you think you clench your teeth at night, and ask him or her about signs of teeth grinding during your next visit. There are steps you can take to stop bruxism!

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