Sleep Care in Willow Park, TX
Award-Winning Care for Optimal Breathing & Overall Health
A common misconception of orthodontic treatment is that it treats a problem that is primarily aesthetic. Indeed, the confidence that comes from straight teeth and a beautiful smile can benefit you throughout your life. Orthodontics is about more than just appearance, however. When a child’s (or an adult’s) facial structure is guided properly, there can be lasting positive effects on the way they breathe. As a dentist specializing in airway orthodontics in Willow Park, TX, Dr. Crain strives to provide orthodontic treatment that does more than straighten teeth – he seeks to provide you or your child with a lifetime of healthy breathing.
Why Is the Way You Breathe Important?
We all know breathing is important, as humans can go over 30 days without food, up to 4-5 days without water, but going more than 2-3 minutes without air can result in brain damage! Breathing is a fundamental function of life that most of us do not think about! What many people don’t realize is that breathing is part “automatic”, part “behavioral”, and how we breathe has a tremendous effect on our nervous system, our body, and our overall health!
Additionally, in growing individuals, mouth breathing adversely affects the growth of the jaws and arrangement of the teeth as well as the overall health of the person. Thus It is possible to develop proper breathing habits (nasal diaphragmatic breathing very similar to breathing taught in martial arts, yoga, and meditation) as well as arrange the teeth and jaws in a way that minimizes stress and optimizes your overall health. On the other hand, it is also possible to breathe in a way that forces your body to compensate for increasing the systemic stress on your body.
If your body regularly struggles with compensatory breathing due to upper airway resistance and poor breathing habits, numerous long-lasting health problems can result, including raising your risk for high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease. In younger children, chronic mouth breathing has even been definitively shown to change the shape of the developing face.
What Is Airway Orthodontics?
Airway orthodontics seeks to address the underlying cause of obstructed breathing, so you can enjoy a lifetime of optimum breathing and improved overall health. During your initial exam and diagnosis with Dr. Crain, our dentist for Airway Management will seek to answer the following questions:
- Has the improper formation of the maxilla, mandible, or other components of the jaw and airway resulted in limited airflow during breathing?
- Are there other reasons for restricted airflow that are better addressed by another medical specialist?
- Has the patient had to compensate for limited airflow while breathing? Has this resulted in improper habits, such as accelerated breathing, tongue placement, or body posture?
- Have these compensations and/or genetic factors influenced the shape, size, or position of the jaw and face?
If Dr. Crain identifies any issues that could be helped with orthodontic treatment, he will discuss his recommendations with you during your initial consultation. Airway Orthodontic treatment is most effective in young children before their facial structure has fully developed, but it can also help adults.
When Should You or Your Child See An Airway Management Expert?
If you or your child demonstrates any of the following symptoms, then we will recommend a more comprehensive airway orthodontics evaluation and consultation.
Symptoms in Toddlers & Children
- Hyperactivity
- ADHD
- Chronic lethargy
- Breathing through the mouth instead of the nose
- Rapid shallow breathing
- Bedwetting
- Chronic nighttime restlessness, waking, or nightmares
- Periods of no breathing or breath-holding while asleep
Symptoms in Adolescents & Adults
- Chronic daytime sleepiness despite a full night’s sleep
- Feeling unrested upon waking in the morning
- Dozing off during activities in the daytime
- Poor school or work performance
- Periods of no breathing or breath-holding while asleep
- Obesity
The Danger of Sleep Apnea
People who suffer from untreated sleep apnea are chronically exhausted and have been injured in car accidents and other mishaps because of their condition. Others experience a significant decline in their health, as the chronic oxygen deprivation caused by sleep apnea has been shown to increase blood pressure, raise the chances of a heart attack or stroke, cause hormonal imbalances (type 2 diabetes, hypothyroidism, weight gain and inability to lose weight, etc), increase the risks of autoimmune diseases (fibromyalgia, lupus, etc), and even increase your risk of developing cancer.
If you suspect you or your child suffers from sleep apnea or sleep disordered breathing, seek treatment as soon as possible. Although sleep apnea is a serious condition, the treatments available for it are relatively easy to incorporate into your nighttime routine. Make an appointment and let us and help you get back on the road to better health and a better night’s sleep.
Learn More About Airway Orthodontics in Willow Park, TX
To learn more about airway orthodontics from our experienced team, schedule your Texas Grins New Patent Dental Exam by calling 817-803-6028 or by clicking here for our convenient online form. Your exam will include:
- A Thorough Exam
- X-Rays
- Teeth Cleaning
- All for just $125
- BONUS – A FREE copy of Dr. Crain’s book, “Better Technology, Better Smiles”
Come experience our Texas Grins Family Dentistry office. You will quickly discover that we offer skillful and compassionate dental care to patients in and around Willow Park, TX – and we do it with a smile. We can’t wait for you to become the next member of our Texas Grins family!
As one of the premier dental and orthodontic practices in Willow Park, TX our doctor and team at Texas Grins Family Dentistry also provide 5-star dental and orthodontic care to patients from Aledo, Fort Worth & Weatherford, TX and Surrounding Areas.