Airway Preservation, Mouth-breathing, baby biographies

Thank you for sharing this information about the importance of healthy breathing and the role that orthodontists can play in assessing and addressing airway issues in children. It is interesting to learn about the potential impacts of mouth breathing on facial structure and dental health. It is clear that maintaining healthy airways is an important aspect of overall health, and it is important for caregivers and parents to be aware of the potential impacts of mouth breathing on children's development. It is good to know that orthodontists are trained to assess and address these issues in order to support the healthy growth and development of children. -Blog Reader

A baby biography is a written record of the life of a baby from birth until the present. It is a way to document the milestones, accomplishments, and personality of a child as they grow and develop. Baby biographies can be written by the parents, caregivers, or anyone else close to the child. They can be a fun and meaningful way to look back on a child's early years and to share their story with others.

Charles Darwin is known for his work as a naturalist and scientist, particularly for his theory of evolution through natural selection. He documented the birth and growth of his children, including his son William Erasmus Darwin, in a series of baby biographies that he kept throughout their childhoods. These biographies were a way for Darwin to record his observations and thoughts about his children's development and to document their growth and milestones.

Darwin's baby biographies were not the first of their kind, but his fame and influence as a scientist likely helped to popularize the idea of keeping a written record of a child's development. Today, many parents and caregivers continue the tradition of documenting their children's lives through baby biographies, either for personal reflection or to share with others.

Orthodontic studies using cephalometric X-rays have played a significant role in the systematic study of the growth and development of children. Cephalometric X-rays are specialized X-rays that are taken of the head and neck, and they provide detailed images of the bones and tissues in these areas. Orthodontists, often use cephalometric X-rays to assess the growth and development of a child's teeth, jaws, and face.

Cephalometric X-rays can be taken at different stages of a child's development, and the images can be compared to each other to track changes over time. This allows orthodontists to see how a child's teeth and jaws are growing and developing, and to identify any potential issues that may need to be addressed. The information obtained from cephalometric X-rays can be used to develop treatment plans for children with orthodontic problems, such as crooked teeth or misaligned jaws.

In addition to the above, there is a renewed interest to airway function in the growth of an individual. As orthodontist, we are uniquely positioned to assess and work with medical practitioners to enhance or maintain healthy airways. Many people have been interested in this work since the bestselling book, Breath by James Nestor has become widely read.

In my practice, I prioritize the airway and understand the importance of healthy breathing on an individuals health. I am particularly concerned about the effects of chronic mouth breathing noted in growing children. During childhood and adolescence, excessive mouth breathing can lead to a series of changes that will actually influence the shape of a person’s face. These are often undesirable and lead to a whole host of dental and medical problems.

From the mouth hanging open, we see excessive pressure on the upper arch and a progressive narrowing, crowding, and protrusion of the upper teeth. Mouth breathing can lead to irritated and inflamed throat leading to tonsil stones, bad breath, and frequent upper respiratory infections.  The excessive opening of the mouth can lead to antegonial notching in the mandible and a redirected growth typical of excess verticality and retrognathic mandibles and convex profiles. I would be happy to show you how these may negatively influence you or your childs facial structures over time.