At Lund Orthodontics, we believe a healthy smile is about more than just straight teeth—it’s also about making sure the structure of the mouth supports better breathing, restful sleep, and overall well-being.
That’s why we’re proud to offer orthodontic treatments that take airway health into account. While we don’t label ourselves as an “airway orthodontics” practice, we recognize the importance of identifying potential airway issues early and providing thoughtful solutions to support proper development.
If you or your child are experiencing concerns like mouth breathing, poor sleep, or signs of obstructed airflow, our team in Arlington, WA is here to help guide you toward the right path—with experience, compassion, and care.
What Is Airway Orthodontics?
Airway orthodontics focuses on the relationship between facial growth, jaw alignment, and a person’s ability to breathe freely through their nose. In many cases, children with narrow jaws or underdeveloped airways may struggle with chronic mouth breathing, disrupted sleep, or even behavioral issues that mimic ADHD. The goal is to guide the development of the jaws and facial structures to encourage better airflow and support healthy breathing patterns.
Orthodontics plays a key role in creating the space necessary for the tongue to rest properly and the airway to remain open—especially during sleep. With early intervention and strategic treatment planning, we can help reduce the risk of future complications related to airway restriction.
Common Signs Of Airway Issues
It’s not always easy to know if an orthodontic issue is related to the airway. However, here are some signs that may indicate your child could benefit from an evaluation:
- Chronic mouth breathing
- Snoring or noisy breathing during sleep
- Restless sleep or frequent waking
- Daytime fatigue or irritability
- Difficulty focusing in school
- Teeth grinding at night
- Narrow dental arches or crowded teeth
If any of these sound familiar, we invite you to schedule a consultation. Our orthodontists will assess not just the alignment of the teeth, but also factors that could point to airway-related concerns.
How Orthodontic Treatment Can Help
At Lund Orthodontics, we consider airway health to be an integral part of orthodontic treatment, not a separate specialty. Our approach is to consider the whole patient; that includes assessing growth patterns, jaw development, and tongue posture—elements that all impact airway function.
Some of the ways we may support improved breathing and oral function include:
- Recommending palatal expanders to gently widen the upper jaw and create more room in the nasal cavity
- Using early interceptive treatment to guide jaw growth and encourage proper tongue positioning
- Collaborating with ENT specialists, pediatricians, or sleep physicians when needed for a more comprehensive care plan
In many cases, a well-timed orthodontic intervention during childhood can help minimize or even prevent long-term breathing and sleep problems.
The Importance Of Early Evaluation
One of the best things parents can do is bring their child in for an orthodontic evaluation by age seven, as recommended by the American Association of Orthodontists. At this stage, we can identify subtle signs of skeletal or airway-related concerns—even before all the permanent teeth have come in.
Early detection allows us to take proactive steps when it’s easiest to guide healthy development. This doesn’t always mean starting treatment right away, but it does mean we can monitor growth and act at just the right time.
Personalized Care, Honest Guidance
At Lund Orthodontics, we believe in personalized care—never a one-size-fits-all approach. If we suspect that airway issues may be affecting your child’s growth, sleep, or quality of life, we’ll take the time to explain what we see and what options are available.
We won’t recommend unnecessary treatment, and we don’t claim to be specialists in airway-focused orthodontics. But we will use our expertise to guide your family toward better outcomes—whether that’s through orthodontic care in our office, or by referring you to the right medical professional to complete the picture.
Why Choose Lund Orthodontics For Your Family
Families throughout Arlington, WA choose Lund Orthodontics because we treat our patients like people—not just smiles. Our doctors are experienced in recognizing how orthodontics can influence much more than aesthetics. We take a whole-health approach that considers your child’s growth, development, and overall well-being. With a strong foundation in early treatment and jaw guidance, we provide honest, transparent recommendations based on what’s truly needed.
Whether you're here for a consultation, braces, or simply seeking answers about your child’s development, we’re here to listen and support you every step of the way. Let us help you build a healthier future—one breath and one smile at a time. Contact us today to schedule your consultation.