Airway DentistryIn Manhattan Beach
What is Airway Dentistry?
Airway dentistry is a modern and integrative approach to pediatric dental care that focuses on how your child breathes, sleeps, and grows—because these systems are all connected. At Toothlings Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Melissa Grant looks beyond just teeth to evaluate the relationship between oral development and airway health. We screen every child for potential airway issues that could affect sleep, development, facial growth, and overall well-being. From mouth breathing to behavioral concerns, airway problems often show up in ways that might surprise you—and early intervention can make a lifelong difference.
The Benefits of Airway Dentistry
Early Detection of Developmental Concerns
Airway issues can affect everything from facial development to sleep quality and even behavior. Identifying problems early allows us to take action before they impact your child’s health and growth. Our screenings help catch signs of underdeveloped jaws, improper tongue posture, and other red flags that could point to airway dysfunction.
Better Sleep and Behavior
Sleep-disordered breathing in children can lead to restless nights, hyperactivity, difficulty focusing, and even mood swings. By identifying and addressing airway concerns, we can help your child achieve restful, nasal breathing—supporting better sleep, stronger immune function, and improved behavior throughout the day.
Collaborative, Whole-Child Care
We work closely with ENTs, myofunctional therapists, pediatricians, and orthodontists to create personalized care plans that support your child’s full development. This interdisciplinary approach ensures your child receives the right care at the right time from the right providers.
Early Detection of Developmental Concerns
Airway issues can affect everything from facial development to sleep quality and even behavior. Identifying problems early allows us to take action before they impact your child’s health and growth. Our screenings help catch signs of underdeveloped jaws, improper tongue posture, and other red flags that could point to airway dysfunction.
Better Sleep and Behavior
Sleep-disordered breathing in children can lead to restless nights, hyperactivity, difficulty focusing, and even mood swings. By identifying and addressing airway concerns, we can help your child achieve restful, nasal breathing—supporting better sleep, stronger immune function, and improved behavior throughout the day.
Collaborative, Whole-Child Care
We work closely with ENTs, myofunctional therapists, pediatricians, and orthodontists to create personalized care plans that support your child’s full development. This interdisciplinary approach ensures your child receives the right care at the right time from the right providers.
Airway Services: How We Can Help
At every visit, we assess your child’s breathing, sleep patterns, oral habits, and facial growth. We look for signs of mouth breathing, snoring, enlarged tonsils & adenoids, tongue tie, or poor jaw development—all of which can impact the airway.
Dr. Grant partners with a trusted network of local ENTs, myofunctional therapists, orthodontists, and like-minded airway-focused providers. If your child would benefit from specialized care, we coordinate the referral and stay involved to support your child’s treatment journey every step of the way.
Because 60% of facial development is complete by age 6, we monitor growth and development starting as early as infancy. These regular checkups allow us to make informed decisions about care and adjust the treatment plan as your child grows.
Comprehensive Exam
Dr. Grant will conduct a thorough examination of your child’s teeth to identify areas of decay and determine if SDF is the appropriate treatment. Not every cavity can be effectively treated this way, however this assessment ensures that we choose the best approach for your child’s specific needs.
Prepare the Tooth
The decayed teeth are gently cleaned and dried to prepare them for the SDF application. This step ensures that the solution adheres properly and can effectively address the decay.
Application of SDF
Using a small brush, Dr. Grant will carefully apply the SDF solution to the affected areas. The process is quick and painless, allowing your child to remain comfortable throughout the treatment. Depending on your child’s needs, additional applications may be required at future appointments to ensure the lasting success of the treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Snoring, mouth breathing, restless sleep, bedwetting, tooth grinding, and difficulty focusing can all be signs of an airway-related concern. If your child exhibits any of these symptoms, a screening is a great next step.
We begin airway assessments as early as your child’s first dental visit. Early evaluation allows us to monitor growth patterns and catch potential issues before they become more complex.