How Early Orthodontics Prevents Sleep Apnea
When it comes to your child’s long-term health, early orthodontic care can do more than just straighten teeth—it can help prevent serious conditions like sleep apnea. At Mergen Orthodontics, our orthodontist in Iowa City and Coralville, IA, takes a preventive approach to facial development and airway health, using tools like Invisalign® to guide proper growth and reduce the risk of sleep-disordered breathing before it starts.
What Is Sleep Apnea and Why Does It Matter?
is a condition where the airway becomes partially or completely blocked during sleep, causing breathing to stop and start repeatedly throughout the night. This leads to poor sleep quality, behavioral issues, and long-term health concerns, even in children.
While it’s often associated with adults, many children also suffer from undiagnosed due to developmental issues in the jaw or palate that restrict airflow.
The Role of Facial and Jaw Development
Proper jaw and palate development during childhood is essential for maintaining an open airway. If the upper jaw is too narrow or the lower jaw sits too far back, the airway can become constricted. This increases the likelihood of breathing problems while sleeping. These issues are much easier to correct in childhood, while the bones are still growing and malleable.
This is why early orthodontic evaluations—ideally between ages 6 and 10—are so important. At this stage, our orthodontist can assess the structure of the mouth and intervene before these issues become more severe or harder to treat in adulthood.
Invisalign as a Preventative Tool
While traditional treatments like palate expanders are often recommended, they can be invasive, costly, and of questionable effectiveness. Instead, our orthodontist uses Invisalign as a more comfortable and proven method for guiding jaw development and improving airflow.
With a custom treatment plan, Invisalign aligners can be used to gradually reposition the teeth and jaw in ways that enhance the airway and prevent obstructions during sleep.
This approach not only improves dental alignment but also supports healthier breathing patterns—especially during sleep, when airway function is critical.
Why Sooner Is Better Than Later
Many parents ask, “When should I bring my child in for an orthodontic evaluation?” The answer is simple: the earlier, the better. As our orthodontist often explains, “It’s never too early, but sometimes it can be too late.”
Once a child reaches adolescence or adulthood, it becomes much more difficult—or even impossible—to make the skeletal changes needed to widen the airway or reposition the jaw without surgery.
By catching these issues early, our orthodontist can use non-invasive methods to promote proper growth, helping to prevent sleep apnea and its long-term effects. This proactive care also reduces the likelihood of future TMJ pain, dental crowding, and even behavioral issues linked to poor sleep.
Schedule a Consultation with Dr. Mergen
If you’re concerned about your child’s breathing, sleep quality, or jaw development, don’t wait to seek help. Our , is uniquely qualified to detect airway problems early and use advanced, gentle solutions like Invisalign to guide proper development. To schedule a consultation, please call one of our convenient Mergen Orthodontics locations or fill out our online contact form to get started.