Crowded teeth are often caused by a narrow upper jaw, or palate, that doesn’t provide enough space for all the teeth to fit correctly. You may be asking, “Why would my child’s jaw develop too narrowly?” A major factor is something you might not expect: tongue posture and mouth breathing.
The natural, healthy position for the tongue is to rest gently against the roof of the mouth. When the tongue stays in this position, it helps shape the dental arch (the area where the teeth grow) and allows enough space for all the teeth. But if your child’s tongue isn’t resting at the roof of the mouth—known as low tongue posture—it’s not helping create that ideal, wide dental arch. Instead, the upper jaw can develop too narrowly, leading to crowded teeth.
One common cause of low tongue posture is mouth breathing. When children breathe primarily through their mouths—often due to nasal congestion or habit—their tongues naturally sit lower in the mouth. This can restrict proper jaw development, setting up a cycle that leads to crowded teeth and a smaller airway.
Crowded teeth are just one piece of the puzzle. Mouth breathing and low tongue posture are also connected to sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), a term for issues that cause breathing problems during sleep. Here’s why this matters:
Sleep-disordered breathing can lead to other signs and symptoms, like snoring, teeth grinding, and restless sleep. Ideally, children should breathe quietly through their noses while sleeping, with no snoring or grinding sounds. Snoring and teeth grinding in children are not normal—they often signal an obstructed or narrow airway. Over time, this can affect a child’s development, energy, mood, focus, and learning.
When children experience sleep-disordered breathing, it can create a range of health challenges. Here’s what can happen when crowded teeth, mouth breathing, and low tongue posture go unaddressed:
Here’s a quick recap to help connect all of these factors:
Together, these factors form a cycle that can affect everything from a child’s sleep to their focus in school.
The good news is that there are ways to address these issues early and support healthy development:
Discover how improving tongue posture and jaw development can positively impact sleep, focus, and overall growth. Connect with our pediatric dental team today for expert guidance and personalized solutions.
Low tongue posture means the tongue isn’t resting against the roof of the mouth, so it doesn’t apply the natural upward pressure that helps shape a wide dental arch. This lack of support can lead to a narrow upper jaw and crowded teeth.
No, children shouldn’t snore or grind their teeth at night. Snoring and teeth grinding are often signs of sleep-disordered breathing, which can impact a child’s sleep quality and overall development.
Mouth breathing encourages a low tongue posture, which can narrow the palate, restrict the airway, and affect jaw development. Over time, this can lead to sleep-disordered breathing and related health issues.
Encourage nasal hygiene with gentle saline sprays or rinses, especially during allergy seasons. Also, remind your child to keep their lips closed while at rest, which encourages nasal breathing.
Myofunctional therapy uses exercises to train the muscles of the face, mouth, and throat to support proper tongue posture, nasal breathing, and swallowing patterns. It’s particularly effective for children with low tongue posture and mouth breathing habits
Crowded teeth, mouth breathing, snoring, and teeth grinding are more than just minor concerns; they can indicate important developmental issues that may impact your child’s airway, sleep quality, and overall health. By addressing low tongue posture, promoting nasal breathing, and consulting healthcare providers, you can help support your child’s dental, airway, and brain development. Early intervention can make a world of difference, setting your child up for healthy sleep, optimal growth, and a bright future.
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