
As a dentist at Central Park Dental, Dr. Jung has witnessed a troubling trend that’s largely gone unnoticed by the general public. There’s a silent crisis affecting our children, and it’s linked to something as fundamental as the way they breathe. In this comprehensive exploration, we’ll dive into the fascinating world of craniofacial development, sleep disorders, and their surprising connection to common childhood issues like ADHD and bedwetting.
The Changing Face of Health
When we look at children today, we often see smiling faces that appear healthy at first glance. However, a closer inspection reveals subtle signs of a deeper issue. Dark circles under the eyes, teeth that seem too big for the mouth, and chronic mouth breathing are just a few indicators of what could be a significant underlying problem: underdeveloped airways.

It’s a startling fact that nine out of ten Americans suffer from one or more health conditions such as ADHD, difficulty in school, bedwetting in children, or depression, anxiety, obesity, and diabetes in adults. While these issues may seem unrelated, mounting evidence suggests they may share a common root cause: a compromised airway due to underdeveloped upper and lower jaws.
The Evolution of Our Jaws
To understand this crisis, we need to look back in time. Anthropological studies, particularly those by Dr. Robert Corruccini, have shown a dramatic shift in human skull structure over the past 400 years. Ancient skulls typically featured larger upper and lower jaws with ample room for all 32 teeth, without crowding or misalignment. In contrast, modern skulls often lack space even after wisdom teeth removal, resulting in crowded and crooked teeth.
This shift isn’t just a cosmetic issue. It’s a health crisis that affects breathing, sleep quality, and overall well-being. But what caused this change?
The Culprit: Modern Lifestyle and Diet
Dr. Corruccini’s research points to a fascinating culprit: our modern lifestyle and diet. By studying isolated rural populations, he found that those adhering to traditional diets and practices – such as extended breastfeeding and consuming tough, fibrous foods – had little to no incidence of dental crowding or jaw underdevelopment.
However, as Western culture and processed foods were introduced to these populations, a dramatic rise in malocclusion occurred. Within just three generations, the rate of dental misalignment skyrocketed from near zero to over 85%.
This rapid change rules out genetics as the primary cause. Instead, it points to cultural and dietary factors:
- Shortened breastfeeding periods
- Introduction of bottle feeding
- Prevalence of soft, processed foods
These factors contribute to underdeveloped jaws and, consequently, compromised airways.

The Tongue: Nature’s Orthodontist
One crucial element in this equation is the tongue. A strong, properly functioning tongue should rest against the palate, acting as a natural scaffold for dental arches. This position creates a beautiful U-shaped arch with room for all teeth. However, a diet of soft foods leads to weakened tongue muscles, resulting in a low tongue posture and a V-shaped, or “Gothic,” arch.
Dr. James Sim Wallace, known as the father of preventative dentistry, noted that a soft food diet not only affects jaw development but also the muscle fibers in the tongue. This insight helps explain why so many children today require orthodontic intervention.
The Airway-Jaw Connection
The implications of underdeveloped jaws extend far beyond dental concerns. The maxilla (upper jaw) plays a crucial role in forming the sinus cavities and lower eye orbits. When the upper jaw is underdeveloped, it directly impacts the nasal airway. Furthermore, an underdeveloped upper jaw can trap the lower jaw, preventing it from moving forward and downward into its correct position, thus affecting the lower airway.
Imagine breathing through a narrow straw instead of a wide garden hose. This is the reality for many individuals with underdeveloped airways. The consequences can be severe, leading to various breathing-related issues, including sleep-disordered breathing. At Central Park Dental, Dr. Jung has seen numerous cases demonstrating the critical connection between airway development and overall health.
Sleep-Disordered Breathing: A Modern Epidemic
Sleep-disordered breathing, including conditions like obstructive sleep apnea, is increasingly common in both children and adults. When muscles around the throat relax during sleep, a healthy airway stays open because the tongue is positioned forward and has enough space to suction against the fully grown palate. However, in individuals with underdeveloped jaws, the tongue falls back, potentially obstructing the airway.
This obstruction can lead to frequent sleep disruptions, affecting overall health and daily functioning. In children, these disruptions can manifest as behavioral issues often mistaken for ADHD.
The ADHD Connection
Dr. Karen Bonuck’s research has shown a strong correlation between sleep-disordered breathing and behavioral issues in children. Children who breathe properly through their noses during sleep tend to wake up refreshed and ready to tackle the day. In contrast, mouth breathers or those with more severe breathing issues experience disrupted sleep quality, leading to daytime behavioral problems that mimic ADHD symptoms.
This connection is crucial for parents and healthcare providers to understand. What might be diagnosed as a neurological or behavioral disorder could, in fact, be a consequence of poor sleep quality due to breathing issues.
The Importance of Nasal Breathing
Nasal breathing offers numerous benefits that mouth breathing cannot provide. When we breathe through our nose, the air is warmed, filtered, and humidified before reaching our lungs. Additionally, nasal breathing promotes the production of nitric oxide in the sinuses, a compound that aids in oxygen absorption.
Benefits of nasal breathing include:
- Reduced risk of snoring and sleep apnea
- Lower incidence of allergies and hay fever
- Enhanced immune system function
- Improved oxygen absorption
Breaking the Cycle: Solutions for Better Airway Health
Recognizing the signs of airway issues in children is the first step toward addressing this silent crisis. Here are some key strategies for promoting better airway health:
- Encourage nasal breathing: Teach children to breathe through their noses, especially during sleep. Devices like the Vivos guide can help promote proper lip seal and nasal breathing.
- Promote a varied, tough food diet: Introducing harder foods that require more chewing can help stimulate jaw development and strengthen tongue muscles.
- Consider early orthodontic intervention: Techniques like maxillary expansion have been shown to correct crooked teeth and improve nasal breathing space.
- Practice orofacial exercises: These exercises, known since 1918, can help correct mouth breathing habits and promote proper tongue posture.
- Educate parents and healthcare providers: Raising awareness about the signs of sleep-disordered breathing and its potential impacts on behavior and overall health is crucial.
- Prioritize sleep quality: Ensure children have consistent, quality sleep in an environment conducive to nasal breathing.
The connection between underdeveloped airways, sleep disorders, and childhood health issues represents a critical area of concern for parents, educators, and healthcare providers. By understanding the root causes of these issues – primarily our modern diet and lifestyle – we can take proactive steps to address them.
As a dedicated practitioner at Central Park Dental, Dr. Jung has seen firsthand the transformative power of addressing airway issues early in a child’s development. It’s not just about straight teeth or a beautiful smile; it’s about setting the foundation for a lifetime of better health, improved cognitive function, and enhanced quality of life.
Let’s work together to raise awareness about this silent crisis. By promoting proper breathing habits, encouraging a diet that supports jaw development, and seeking early intervention when necessary, we can help ensure that our children grow up with the healthy airways they need to thrive.
Remember, a child’s smile is more than just a set of teeth – it’s a window into their overall health and well-being. By addressing airway health, we’re not just preventing dental issues; we’re paving the way for happier, healthier generations to come.
How Dr. Jung Can Help Your Child
Our sleep specialist in Mansfield is an excellent starting point for addressing mouth-breathing concerns because we are skilled in recognizing the signs of this condition, especially those related to oral and facial development. Dr. Jung can identify the dental impacts of mouth breathing, such as misaligned teeth or an improper bite, and can also refer you to other specialists, like allergists or ENT doctors, for comprehensive care. Our familiarity with your child’s oral health history makes us well-positioned to detect and address these issues early. Dr. Jung has also undergone specialized further education and training to address mouth breathing in kids, making her an expert in these areas. Here are some of our specialized services:
- Comprehensive Evaluation: We conduct thorough assessments to identify the underlying causes of mouth breathing, ensuring a tailored treatment plan.
- Orthodontic Solutions: Our treatments may include orthodontic interventions to correct structural issues contributing to mouth breathing.
- Laser Therapy: Our laser can be used in various ways to help treat sleep disorders in children. This is done by tightening areas in the mouth that could limit airflow, which causes snoring. This is a painless procedure.
- Oral Appliance Therapy: Most of our young patients benefit a great deal from sleeping with a special mouthguard that encourages proper jaw alignment and nasal breathing. Younger kids may also benefit from habit appliances like palatal expanders & space maintainers. Learn more about oral appliance therapy here.
- Myofunctional Therapy: We offer exercises and therapies aimed at strengthening oral and facial muscles, promoting healthy breathing patterns.
- Parental Guidance: Educating parents about the signs, consequences, and preventive measures of mouth breathing in children.
- Collaborative Care: We collaborate with other healthcare professionals for holistic care, addressing any related respiratory or sleep issues.
Don’t wait, Invest In The Future Of Your Child!
Dr. Jung has undergone extensive training to be the best of the best in treating sleep disorders in children to prevent ADHD. Far too often, children are overmedicated for a problem that has an underlying cause. If your child is struggling with ADHD or sleep disorder, give our office a call, and we will be happy to help you find a solution!