Children's Airway Orthodontics
Children’s airway orthodontics helps kids breathe and sleep better by guiding healthy jaw and palate development. At Advanced Orthodontics Everett, Dr. Lauren Lewandowski looks for early signs that a child’s mouth and airway are not developing as they should, and treats them while growth makes the biggest difference.
The way your child breathes affects how they sleep, grow, focus, and feel. At Advanced Orthodontics Everett, children’s airway orthodontics is a special focus for Dr. Lauren Lewandowski, a board-certified orthodontist who looks beyond straight teeth to the airway underneath. By spotting and addressing concerns early, we can support healthier breathing and development for kids across Everett and Mill Creek. This page focuses on children; you can learn about the full approach on our main airway orthodontics page.
Why Breathing Matters for Growing Kids
A child who breathes easily through the nose tends to sleep more soundly and develop a more balanced face and jaw. When the upper jaw is narrow or crowded, there may be less room for the tongue and less space for air to move, which can lead to mouth breathing and restless sleep. Because children are still growing, this is the ideal time to guide development in a healthier direction.
Signs of an Airway Concern in Children
Many of these signs are easy to mistake for ordinary childhood behavior, so it helps to know what to watch for:
- Snoring or noisy, heavy breathing at night
- Breathing through the mouth during the day or while asleep
- Restless sleep, frequent waking, or bedwetting
- Trouble focusing, daytime tiredness, or irritability
- Crowded teeth, a narrow palate, or a gummy smile
- Grinding teeth at night
These signs do not always point to a serious problem, but they are worth checking. When a medical evaluation is needed, we work with your pediatrician, ENT, or a sleep specialist.
How We Help Children Breathe and Grow
For children, the goal is to guide healthy growth while there is still time to shape it. Depending on what Dr. Lewandowski finds, care may include gently widening a narrow upper jaw with a palate expander, which also makes more room for nasal breathing, guiding the jaws to develop in balance, creating space for adult teeth, and helping correct habits like thumb sucking or tongue thrust. This early work connects naturally with our early treatment care and can sometimes reduce the need for more involved treatment later.
A Team Approach for Your Child
An orthodontist does not diagnose or treat sleep apnea alone. What we do is recognize the structural signs early, address them with orthodontic care, and coordinate with your child’s doctor, ENT, or a sleep specialist when a medical diagnosis is needed, so your child gets complete care.
Schedule Your Child’s Airway Evaluation in Everett
If something about your child’s breathing or sleep has you concerned, we can help you understand it. Call Advanced Orthodontics Everett at (425) 745-6322 or request a complimentary consultation online. Proudly serving Everett, Mill Creek, Lynnwood, and the surrounding communities.
Frequently Asked Questions
We know you may have questions about orthodontic care and what to expect along the way. This section offers clear, straightforward answers to help you understand how treatment works and how we support you through each step. It’s an easy way to learn more before your first visit and feel confident about your smile journey.
How young is too young for an airway evaluation?
It is never too early to check. While many children are first seen around age 7, if you notice snoring, mouth breathing, or restless sleep sooner, it is fine to bring your child in earlier. The earlier we look, the more options we have to guide healthy growth.
What does crowded teeth have to do with my child's breathing?
Crowding can be a sign that the jaw is narrow or not developing with enough room, which can also limit space for the tongue and airway. Widening and guiding the jaw can improve both the smile and the room available for healthy breathing.
Will early airway treatment help my child avoid braces later?
It may reduce or simplify later treatment. Guiding growth early often makes any future braces shorter and easier, though many children still benefit from a brief second phase once their adult teeth are in.
Can you treat my child's airway concern by yourselves?
We treat the orthodontic and structural side, such as guiding jaw growth and widening a narrow palate. For a medical diagnosis like sleep apnea, we partner with your pediatrician, ENT, or sleep specialist so your child is fully cared for.