Introduction
Have you ever noticed your child sleeping with their mouth open, snoring lightly, or waking up tired even after what should have been a full night’s rest? For many families, these signs are easy to overlook — but they often point to an important issue: how your child is breathing.
At Orchard Hills Pediatric Dentistry, we help families throughout Richland, WA and the Tri-Cities, WA understand why nasal breathing is essential for healthy growth, quality sleep, and proper oral development — and how myofunctional therapy can help children breathe the way their bodies were designed to.
Why Nasal Breathing Matters
The human body is built to breathe through the nose. Nasal breathing filters allergens and bacteria, warms and humidifies the air, and supports optimal oxygen absorption. Just as importantly, it encourages the tongue to rest against the roof of the mouth, which plays a key role in guiding jaw growth and maintaining a healthy airway.
When children breathe through their noses consistently, they are more likely to experience:
- Deeper, more restorative sleep
- Better oxygen delivery to the brain and body
- Proper tongue posture and jaw development
- Improved immune support
These benefits are especially important during the critical growth years.
What Happens When a Child Mouth Breathes
Chronic mouth breathing — whether during the day, at night, or both — can impact far more than breathing alone. Over time, it may contribute to:
- Dry mouth and increased risk of cavities
- Snoring or restless sleep
- Narrow dental arches and crowded teeth
- Long-face growth patterns
- Difficulty concentrating or daytime fatigue
- Speech and swallowing challenges
Many families in Richland and the Tri-Cities are surprised to learn how closely breathing habits are tied to dental and facial development.
How Myofunctional Therapy Encourages Nasal Breathing
Myofunctional therapy focuses on retraining the muscles of the tongue, lips, and face to support proper breathing and oral posture. Through gentle, age-appropriate exercises, children learn to:
- Keep their lips comfortably closed at rest
- Improve tongue strength and resting position
- Increase nasal breathing endurance
- Reduce open-mouth posture during sleep
At Orchard Hills Pediatric Dentistry in Richland, WA, therapy is designed to feel supportive and achievable — helping children build habits that last.
Supporting Healthy Growth from the Inside Out
Our airway-centered approach looks beyond symptoms to address the root cause of breathing challenges. By improving nasal breathing, we help children sleep better, grow healthier, and feel more energized during the day.
Families across the Tri-Cities, WA often notice improvements not just in sleep, but in focus, behavior, and overall wellbeing.
