Pediatric Sleep & Airway Health
Addressing pediatric sleep disordered breathing
Pediatric airway dentistry in West Michigan
Mailloux Dentistry provides pediatric airway-focused dentistry in West Michigan. The practice evaluates how a child’s airway, jaw, and facial structures develop during early childhood and how these factors influence breathing, sleep, and dental health.
Many childhood symptoms may be associated with airway development. These include mouth breathing, crowded teeth, snoring, restless sleep, bedwetting, and attention or behavioral concerns. When the upper airway is restricted during sleep, children may struggle to breathe normally. Over time this can affect facial growth, dental alignment, and sleep quality.
Dr. Brittany Mailloux focuses on airway-aware dentistry and orthopedic facial development. Her approach evaluates early signs of airway restriction and jaw development while children are still growing. Early identification may help guide healthier jaw growth and reduce the likelihood of complex orthodontic treatment later in childhood.
Signs of pediatric airway concerns
Healthy sleep for a child is typically quiet, still, and through the nose. Symptoms that may suggest airway or sleep-breathing concerns include:
• mouth breathing
• snoring or noisy breathing during sleep
• restless sleep or frequent waking
• bedwetting
• crowded teeth or a narrow palate
• chronic nasal congestion
• daytime fatigue or attention challenges
Airway evaluation and early intervention
Mailloux Dentistry performs airway-focused dental evaluations to assess jaw development, palate width, dental alignment, and oral structures that may influence breathing. The practice may also use 3D cone beam imaging (CBCT) to visualize craniofacial anatomy and airway space.
These assessments help identify structural patterns that may contribute to airway restriction. When concerns are identified, families may be referred to appropriate medical specialists for further evaluation or sleep studies.
Dr. Mailloux evaluates children when airway or developmental concerns are present, including during early childhood. Identifying potential issues while the jaw and facial bones are still growing may allow for earlier intervention.
Early treatment and coordinated care can support healthier breathing, improved sleep, and balanced facial development.
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When a child’s airway is restricted, the body often compensates through mouth breathing, poor tongue posture, or altered facial growth patterns. Over time, this can contribute to:
• Mouth breathing
• Snoring or sleep-disordered breathing
• Crowded teeth or narrow dental arches
• Poor facial growth or mid-face deficiencies
• Behavioral or attention challenges related to poor sleep
• Long-term orthodontic or airway issues
By identifying these concerns early, we can often guide healthier growth and prevent more complex problems later.
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Research and clinical experience show that early assessment and intervention—often between ages 2 and 6—can produce the most favorable long-term outcomes. At these ages, the bones of the face are still developing, which allows us to gently guide proper growth.
Early intervention may help:
• Improve nasal breathing
• Support proper jaw and facial development
• Create space for permanent teeth
• Improve sleep quality and overall health
Intercepting these concerns early can often reduce the need for more extensive orthodontic or medical treatment later in life.
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Orthopedic Facial Development & Pediatric Expansion is one of the ways we help children with airway and growth concerns is through orthopedic appliance therapy. These appliances guide the growth of the upper jaw and mid-face, helping address mid-face deficiencies and narrow arches that can contribute to airway restriction.
By encouraging proper development of the facial bones, these treatments can help:
• Improve airway space
• Encourage nasal breathing
• Support proper tongue posture
• Create space for erupting teeth
• Promote balanced facial development
This type of care focuses on guiding growth rather than simply straightening teeth later.
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Restricted oral tissues, commonly known as tongue-ties, can also affect breathing, feeding, speech, and facial development.
Dr. Mailloux evaluates tongue-tie related concerns using the The Breathe Institute Protocol, developed by Soroush Zaghi.
When appropriate, treatment may include tongue-tie release using laser technology with suturing techniques, performed as part of a comprehensive airway-focused approach. These procedures are often coordinated with other professionals such as myofunctional therapists, lactation consultants, or other specialists to ensure the best functional outcomes.
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Pediatric sleep-disordered breathing doesn’t always look like what you’d expect. It can show up in subtle behaviors, not just loud snoring. Here are key red flags that may point to an airway issue:
Disrupted breathing patterns
Snoring, heavy or irregular breathing
Mouth breathing (day or night)
Teeth grinding or jaw clenching
Restless, poor-quality sleep
Tossing, turning, or unusual sleep positions
Our Comprehensive Approach
At Mailloux Dentistry, we proactively screen for sleep concerns and growth restrictions, collaborating with other providers such as ENT specialists, speech therapists, myofunctional therapists, and more. For children starting at 3 years old, we offer palatal expansion when indicated, working extensively with myofunctional therapists. It's crucial to address these concerns early, as children may not outgrow the problem but instead learn to cope and adapt. Our ultimate goal is to restore proper nasal health, encourage optimal breathing, and promote a wide, forward jaw structure for improved oxygen intake and overall health.
For inquiries about your child's sleep, breathing, and airway concerns, contact us at (616) 392-3717 to schedule an evaluation. We look forward to helping your child attain the quality sleep they deserve.