Dentists & Paediatric Health
Dentists are the gatekeepers of the oral cavity and play a critical role in ensuring overall health and wellness because, as we know and science has proved again and again, the link between oral health and general health is undeniable. This is even more important when it comes to growing kids. Which is why we aim to provide conditions for proper and healthy development and we do this in two ways: by paying attention and by eliminating barriers that may prevent correct development. Comprised by dentists, orthodontists and specialists, our Paediatric Facial Growth & Airway Health team is 100% dedicated to your children.
Changing facial growth patterns
Genetic and environmental conditions have resulted in changing facial growth patterns with consequences on how we breathe, sleep, and function. Some of the current factors contributing to improper development in children include:
- A shift away from breastfeeding toward prolonged dummy, bottle, and sippy cup usage
- Soft, processed modern diets
- Dietary or environmental allergies
How does this affect kids?
As dentists, we are often the first health provider to see warning signs or symptoms regarding facial growth and airway health issues. These red flags include:
Sleep Disordered
Breathing (SDB)
- These disorders are characterised by disruptions in normal breathing patterns during sleep.
- Altered oxygen delivery has various systemic health implications.
- 9 out of 10 children will have one or more symptoms of Sleep Disordered Breathing.
Improper
Oral Habits
- Mouth breathing
- Improper swallow
- Improper tongue posture
- Finger/thumb sucking
- Improper pronunciation
- Bruxism
- Enlarged tonsils & adenoids
Growth and
Development
- Growth of the lower jaw in a downward instead of forward direction
- Narrow arches and crossbites, open bites
- Overjet and mandibular underdevelopment
- Collapse of the oropharyngeal breathing space
How does this affect kids?
As dentists, we are often the first health provider to see warning signs or symptoms regarding facial growth and airway health issues. These red flags include:
Sleep Disordered
Breathing (SDB)
- These disorders are characterised by disruptions in normal breathing patterns during sleep.
- Altered oxygen delivery has various systemic health implications.
- 9 out of 10 children will have one or more symptoms of Sleep Disordered Breathing.
Improper
Oral Habits
- Mouth breathing
- Improper swallow
- Improper tongue posture
- Finger/thumb sucking
- Improper pronunciation
- Bruxism
- Enlarged tonsils & adenoids
Growth and
Development
- Growth of the lower jaw in a downward instead of forward direction
- Narrow arches and crossbites, open bites
- Overjet and mandibular underdevelopment
- Collapse of the oropharyngeal breathing space
How can we help?
When we see signs that sleep, breathing, or growth is off track in our youngest patients, we can and should take action immediately. By correcting growth patterns and habits early on, we may prevent or even resolve many oral and systemic health issues. And how do we do this? With the help of the Habit Corrector.
What is the Habit Corrector?
The Habit Corrector is a soft removable oral appliance that is designed to eliminate or improve bad oral habits, as well as other problems such as Sleep Disordered Breathing or growth and development issues, which may be hindering optimal dental health and even the child’s overall wellbeing.
The Habit Corrector appliance targets specific and fundamental action areas within the mouth:
- Develops tongue strength and reinforces proper position of the tongue.
- Provides a better balance of the tongue with the roof of the mouth, assisting in a more natural expansion of the jaw and dental arches in order to properly position the teeth and jaws.
- Aids in the development of proper lip seal to restore the benefits of nasal breathing.
Benefits of the Habit Corrector
In addition to improving occlusion and overall dental health, the Habit Corrector appliance goes even further:
Improves facial growth patterns and pre-orthodontic tooth positioning
Retrains inadequate
mouth breathing
Increases quality nasal breathing and contributes to better sleep*
Increases quality nasal breathing and contributes to better sleep*
Replaces and corrects poor oral habits (prolonged dummy use, thumb sucking, etc.)
Replaces and corrects poor oral habits (prolonged dummy use, thumb sucking, etc.)
Aids in addressing speech delays or difficulties
Boosts immune system function
*In some cases, improved nasal breathing and sleep yields reduction or resolution of:
ADHD & Hyperactivity Symptoms
Depression or Aggressive Behaviour
Snoring & Teeth Grinding
Tonsil & Adenoid Hypertrophy
Allergies & Asthma
Hormone imbalances causing bedwetting or failure to thrive
