Breathe Deep

When you think about orthodontic treatment, you might consider how it will improve your appearance. But, did you ever consider how it can improve your breathing? While it’s true that orthodontics can enhance your smile, give you a more youthful appearance and boost your confidence, the right orthodontic regimen can also change your airway and improve your overall health. Dr. Konig specializes in airway orthodontics and improving breathing while giving you a beautiful and healthy smile.

Why Does Breathing Matter? 

Well, because it’s breathing! When you take a breath, you’re getting the vital oxygen you need to support your tissues, organs and brain. So, you’re probably reading this and breathing now, but are you breathing well? You may be taking breaths in and out like you always do, but you may be surprised to know you’re not getting all the oxygen you potentially could be because your airway is too narrow or malformed in some way.

Not getting enough oxygen because of a narrow airway means stress on your body and forcing your body to compensate because of lower oxygen levels. This stress on your body means serious and long-lasting health issues, including high blood pressure, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease and heart disease. Children who do not get enough oxygen because of a narrow or malformed airway also experience behavioral problems, bedwetting and abnormal facial structure and are frequently undersized compared to their peers.

So, How Can You Tell? 

Are you wondering if you or your child may not be getting enough oxygen? While signs such as wheezing or being out of breath are indicators of lung conditions, signs of upper airway issues include:

  • Hyperactivity
  • ADHD
  • Chronic lethargy or fatigue
  • Mouth breathing
  • Snoring or gasping for breath
  • Rapid, shallow breathing
  • Bedwetting past the age of potty training
  • Regular nighttime restlessness, insomnia, frequent waking
  • Nightmares or night terrors
  • Apnea, or periods of no breathing or breath-holding during asleep

Signs that you may have airway issues as an adult include:

  • Chronic daytime fatigue despite getting “enough” sleep
  • Feeling tired upon waking
  • Falling asleep at work, school or while driving
  • Sleep apnea
  • Headaches or migraines
  • Obesity or being overweight
  • Changes in libido
  • Mood swings

How Can Airway Orthodontics Help? 

Airway orthodontics can help treat airway and breathing issues by expanding the airway through treating the upper jaw. By guiding growth or remodeling jaw growth, airway and mid-face deficiency problems are addressed. When the airway is widened, oxygen intake improves and symptoms subside.

Do you want to learn more about Dr. Konig’s approach to orthodontic treatment or guided growth appliances? Give us a call today at 713-668-2289 to schedule an appointment.

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