Does your child suffer from any of these problems?
Research has discovered that many of these problems may only be symptoms of a Sleep-Related Breathing Disorder (SDB), which stems from a very correctable deformity and dysfunction in the child’s oral and facial structure.
ADD/ADHD
Bed Wetting
Delayed Speech
Overweight/Obesity
Learning Difficulties
Vertigo/Clumsiness
Restless Legs
Aggression/Defiance
Teeth Grinding
Snoring
Mouth Breathing
Daytime Sleepiness
Nightmares/Night Terrors
Allergies/Asthma
Anxiety
Frequent Illness
Stunted Growth
Crooked Teeth
Swollen Tonsils/Adenoids
Forward Head Posture
Recessed/Stunted Chin
Dark Circles Under the Eyes
Is Your Child Receiving Treatment for a Possible “Imposter” Condition?
“Imposter conditions” refer to conditions that are simply symptoms originating from Sleep Disordered Breathing. If this is the case, then the treatments intended to “fix” the imposter symptoms are unnecessary and will not treat the root cause. They simply act as a long-term band aid that “manages” the symptoms.
Behavior Programs
HGH Injections
Allergy Pills
ADHD Medication
Counseling/Therapy
Amphetamines
Special Education
Various Surgeries
Tooth Extractions
Psychotropic Drugs
Phyciatric Testing
The Root Cause of Sleep Disordered Breathing
One of the top root causes of SDB is the tongue.
If the tongue is not functioning properly it can affect the child’s face and jaw development, and block or shrink the child’s airway. Airflow to the lungs is then limited, and oxygen does not flow freely to the brain and body.
By 2 years old 80% of a child’s brain cell connections are formed, so this drop in oxygen can significantly stunt the growth and development of the brain - causing a child’s final IQ score to be reduced by as much as 10-15 points.
Culprits of Sleep Disordered Breathing
Children Aren’t Chewing.
Ever since the Industrial Revolution people, especially children, just aren’t chewing the way they use to. With the development of soft baby foods, pouches, chicken nuggets, etc., we are seeing a weakening of children’s tongues and jawbones.
Soft foods are “pre-chewed,” which causes the child to simply place the food in their mouth and swallow. There is no pressure put on the jawbone which tricks it into thinking it is not needed, therefore stunting its growth.
As for the tongue, it is weakened because it is not being exercised by positioning food for chewing. Through this process the jawbone and tongue can shrink, while the rest of the head continues to grow - which can then close off the child’s airway.
Daily Sucking on Objects
When a child sucks on a thumb, pacifier or bottle their cheeks and lips are pulled in, which forces the upper gums inward. The tongue pushes the object into the roof of the mouth, which then pushes up against the nasal airways. The sides of the tongue are also being forced outward against the lower gums and pushing them apart.
What About Breastfeeding?
Breastfeeding may appear as sucking, just like with a pacifier or bottle - but this is not the case. When a child breastfeeds their tongue pushes the nipple up against the roof of their mouth, causing the milk to be pressed out rather than sucked out. As they continue to apply pressure, the tongue pushes outwards. This repetitive motion causes the tongue to resist the inward pressure of the cheeks and lips in order to protect the nasal airways.
Improper Tongue Placement
The tongue should rest up in the roof of the mouth. By resting in the roof, each time the cheeks and lips squeeze it pushes outward promoting head growth and upper palate expansion. If the tongue rests below, then it causes the child to develop a “tongue thrust.”
There are a few reasons why the tongue may not rest in the roof of the mouth:
the tongue and jaw may be too weak
the tongue may be restricted by a tongue tie
So, What Can You Do?
It can feel overwhelming, but no need to worry!
Thankfully, airway professionals can reverse the negative effects of irregular facial development, especially when caught early. They can train the tongue, promote proper swallowing, improve speaking skills, eliminate thumb sucking and tongue thrusting.
There are also ways to reshape the roof of the mouth, expand the upper jaw, strengthen the tongue, and open the nasal airways - typically in very minimally invasive manners.
How to Find A Properly Trained Airway Professional
Unfortunately, there are many professionals (especially when it comes to tongue and lip ties) that simply are not properly trained. In fact, dentists do not have to have any sort of formal training or certification in order to perform tongue/lip tie releases. Likewise dentists, lactation specialists, doulas, pediatricians, ENTs, etc., do not have to have any specific training or certification to diagnose.
Sleep-Disordered Breathing Professionals:
Anyone who is trained under Airway Health Solutions
You can search providers @ airwayhealthsolutions.com/locator
Tongue/Lip Tie Professionals:
Anyone trained under The Breathe Institute
You can search providers @ breatheaffiliates.com/find-a-local-affiliate
Anyone trained under Dr. Richard Baxter, author of “Tongue Tied”
*Note: There are certainly other reputable training programs out there, but these are the ones I can speak on with confidence.
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