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Airway and Oral Function

Speech. Language. Feeding. Airway.

Mouth breathing, lips that rest open, a "gummy" smile, teeth that appear crowded, sit in an open bite, or develop in a narrow arch aren’t always things a child will simply outgrow. These can be signs of underlying differences in how the mouth and airway are functioning and negatively impacting speech, feeding, and sleep. Sleep is foundational to development; when a child isn’t sleeping well, their brain and body have to work much harder to learn, grow, and repair.

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An airway and oral function evaluation helps us identify what’s going on and, most importantly, what to do next.

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Signs to Look For

  • Mouth breathing during the day or night

  • A "gummy" smile

  • Dark circles under the eyes 

  • Teeth that appear crowded, in an open bite, or in a narrow arch

  • Snoring, restless sleep, or frequent waking

  • Lips that stay open at rest

  • Messy eating, overstuffing, or prolonged mealtimes

  • Limited diet, picky eating, or refusal of certain textures

  • Gagging or choking with foods

  • Drooling beyond the toddler years

  • Speech that is difficult to understand

  • ADHD-like behaviors, difficulty focusing

  • Difficulty with age-appropriate emotional regulation 

  • Bedwetting beyond the expected age range

  • A child who seems tired, wired, or not well-rested, even after a full night’s sleep

 

 

You may be noticing several of these signs, but even just one, such as open-mouth posture at rest or snoring, can be a reason to evaluate.
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Let’s Take a Closer Look

If you’ve been noticing any of these signs, or simply have a feeling something isn’t quite right, an airway and oral function evaluation can provide clarity and direction.

You don’t need to have all the answers before scheduling. That’s what we’re here for.

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