As an orthodontist, I don’t just focus on straightening teeth—I also keep a close eye on how a child’s face and jaws are developing. One of the biggest influences on jaw growth? Breathing!
This isn’t a new idea. In fact, research from as far back as 1986 by Dr Linder-Aronson and colleagues explored how airway obstruction—such as enlarged adenoids—can change the way a child’s jaw grows. Their study followed children before and after adenoidectomy (removal of the adenoids) and found that once these kids could breathe properly through their noses, their jaw growth changed for the better.
What Did the Research Find?
Linder-Aronson’s study found that children with blocked nasal airways (caused by large adenoids) had:
🔹 Longer lower faces
🔹 Steeper jaw angles
🔹 A tendency for the lower jaw to grow backwards instead of forwards
After the adenoidectomy, many children showed more normal jaw growth over the next five years. In other words, when nasal breathing was restored, jaw growth direction improved!
Why Does This Happen?
When a child breathes through their mouth instead of their nose, it affects how their tongue, lips, and facial muscles function. Instead of resting on the roof of the mouth (which helps the upper jaw grow properly), the tongue drops down, causing:
❌ A narrower upper jaw
❌ A longer face
❌ A weaker, set-back lower jaw
This can lead to bite problems, crowding, and even sleep issues later in life.
What Does This Mean for Orthodontic Treatment?
Linder-Aronson’s research, now nearly 40 years old, is still highly relevant today. It reminds us that jaw growth isn’t just about genetics—breathing plays a key role too. This is why, as an orthodontist, I don’t just focus on teeth. I also assess how a child breathes, because sometimes the best orthodontic treatment starts with addressing the airway.
A Multi-Specialist Approach
If a child has signs of mouth breathing or airway obstruction, we may involve other specialists, such as:
👃 An ENT (Ear, Nose & Throat specialist) – to check for enlarged adenoids, tonsils, or nasal blockages.
😴 A sleep physician – if there are signs of breathing-related sleep disturbances.
🦷 Orthodontic intervention – such as palatal expanders to help create more space and improve nasal airflow.
When Should Parents Be Concerned?
If your child:
🔹 Snores or breathes loudly at night
🔹 Frequently breathes through their mouth
🔹 Has a long face or a small lower jaw
🔹 Has crowded teeth or a deep bite
…then an early orthodontic check-up may be beneficial.
The Takeaway
Linder-Aronson’s research from 1986 showed that restoring proper nasal breathing can help guide jaw growth in the right direction. Even today, we see the same patterns in children who struggle with mouth breathing. That’s why, at Adelaide Orthodontics, we take a holistic approach—monitoring growth closely and working with other specialists when needed.
If you’re concerned about your child’s breathing, jaw growth, or bite, an early orthodontic assessment can help determine the best path forward!
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