Free Guide for Parents Facing Orthodontic Decisions
By Dr. Kathleen Schuster, Functional Airway Dentist
⚠️ IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER This guide provides educational information only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. Always consult qualified orthodontic and healthcare providers before making treatment decisions. Individual results may vary significantly.
THE HIDDEN CRISIS AFFECTING 9 OUT OF 10 CHILDREN
9 out of 10 kids have at least one sleep-disordered breathing symptom.
But here’s the thing: Kids are incredible at adapting. What we see as their
“normal” personality or behavior patterns are often actually their body’s way of
compensating for breathing difficulties.
Here’s what most parents dismiss as “normal”:
- “He’s always been a mouth breather”
- “She’s just a restless sleeper”
- “He’s had dark circles since he was little”
- “She’s always been hyper – that’s just her personality”
- “He catches every bug that goes around”
The devastating truth: Kids don’t grow out of these issues. They just get better at compensating… until their bodies can’t compensate anymore.
What happens to kids with untreated sleep-disordered breathing:
- Early childhood: Chronic tonsil/adenoid issues, frequent strep and ear infections
- Ongoing: Nightmares, bedwetting, restless sleep, dark circles under eyes
- Daily struggles: Chronic allergies, eczema, skin issues, extreme picky eating
- Behavioral patterns: Finger sucking, nail biting, other oral habits
- School age: ADHD symptoms, academic struggles, behavioral issues
- Teens: Anxiety, depression, chronic fatigue
- Adults: Sleep apnea, high blood pressure, diabetes, dementia risk
Even kids with “perfect” straight teeth can have these issues – my own husband has beautiful straight teeth but struggles with sinus problems because his jaw is too narrow for proper breathing. If you’re here reading this, congratulations. You’re one of the few parents who isn’t dismissing your child’s symptoms. You’re asking the right questions. Because here’s what most parents don’t realize: The symptoms are almost always worse than you think. You’ve adapted to how your child functions, so you think it’s “normal” for them. It’s not normal. And it’s not something they’ll outgrow.
SIGN #1: CROWDED OR CROOKED TEETH
What you see:
- Permanent teeth coming in crooked or overlapped
- Front teeth that look “too big” for the mouth
- Teeth that twist or turn to fit
What traditional orthodontics says: “Not enough room – we need to extract teeth”
What functional orthodontics knows: Crowding means the jaw didn’t develop to
its genetic potential. Instead of removing teeth, we should ask: WHY didn’t the
jaw grow properly?
The better approach: Expand the jaw to create the space nature intended.
SIGN #2: NARROW SMILE
What you see:
- Can’t see back teeth when your child smiles
- Smile looks narrow or “tunnel-like”
- Dark spaces in the corners of the mouth
What this really means: The upper jaw is too narrow, which also means the nasal passages are narrow (the roof of the mouth IS the floor of the nose).
Why this matters: Narrow jaws = narrow airways = breathing problems = sleep issues = behavioral problems
Your child’s smile width predicts their breathing capacity.
SIGN #3: MOUTH BREATHING (EVEN OCCASIONALLY)
What you notice:
- Lips apart at rest
- Breathing through mouth during sleep
- Dry mouth or chapped lips
- Snoring (ANY amount in children is concerning)
The connection most miss: Mouth breathing happens when nasal breathing is difficult due to narrow airways. This creates a cycle where mouth breathing actually prevents proper jaw development.
The solution: Expand the upper jaw to widen nasal passages and make nose breathing easier.
SIGN #4: LONG, NARROW FACE SHAPE
What you observe:
- Face appears longer than it is wide
- Weak chin or receding jaw
- “Adenoid face” appearance
- Dark circles under eyes
What’s really happening: When children can’t breathe through their nose properly, their facial growth pattern changes. Instead of growing forward and wide, the face grows long and narrow.
This isn’t genetics – it’s environment and function affecting growth.
SIGN #5: BEHAVIORAL OR SLEEP ISSUES
What parents report:
- ADHD-like symptoms (hyperactivity, inattention)
- Difficulty sleeping or restless sleep
- Bedwetting past age 5
- Frequent illness or allergies
- Academic struggles despite being smart
The hidden connection: All of these can be symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing caused by narrow airways. When children can’t breathe and sleep properly, everything else suffers.
Stanford research shows: 97.5% of children avoid tonsil surgery when the upper jaw is expanded properly.
THE RESEARCH THAT CHANGES EVERYTHING
Recent studies prove:
- Orthodontic expansion increased nasal floor width from 17.7mm to 19.5mm
- 97.5% of children avoided tonsil surgery with expansion
- 90% avoided adenoid surgery
- Sleep quality, behavior, and academic performance all improved
Translation: Expansion doesn’t just straighten teeth – it can transform your child’s health, sleep, and development.
QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR ORTHODONTIST
Before agreeing to extractions, ask:
- “What caused my child’s teeth to be crowded?”
- “Could we try expansion instead of extractions?”
- “How will removing teeth affect my child’s breathing space?”
- “Do you measure airway space before and after treatment?”
- “What’s your experience with functional orthodontics?”
Red flag responses:
- “Genetics” (without further explanation)
- “Extractions are faster”
- “Breathing isn’t related to orthodontics”
- “This is how we’ve always done it”
Green flag responses:
- Discussion of jaw development and growth
- Understanding of airway connections
- Willingness to consider expansion first
- Collaboration with other specialists
YOUR CHILD’S FUTURE DEPENDS ON THIS DECISION
Extraction orthodontics can:
❌ Reduce breathing space permanently
❌ Affect facial profile negatively
❌ Limit tongue space and function
❌ Create need for future jaw surgery
Expansion orthodontics can:
✅ Improve breathing and sleep quality
✅ Enhance facial development
✅ Prevent future health problems
✅ Optimize growth during critical windows
This isn’t just about straight teeth – it’s about your child’s lifelong health and development.
WHAT TO DO NEXT
If 3+ signs apply to your child:
- Get a second opinion from an airway-focused orthodontist
- Ask about expansion options before considering extractions
- Research functional orthodontics in your area
- Don’t rush the decision – this affects your child’s entire life
Ready for the complete guide? This overview just scratches the surface. For detailed protocols, provider lists, research summaries, and step-by-step action plans, check out the comprehensive “Expand Don’t Extract” guide.
You have the power to change your child’s trajectory. Use it wisely.
CONTINUING YOUR EDUCATION
For comprehensive information including:
- Detailed case studies and before/after results
- Complete provider selection strategies
- Age-specific treatment protocols
- International resources and options
- Insurance navigation and cost considerations
- Post-treatment maintenance protocols
Download the complete “Expand Don’t Extract: The Orthodontic Solution to Surgery, ADHD & Sleep Problems” guide.
Your child’s breathing, sleep, development, and lifelong health are too important to leave to chance.
© 2025 Dr. Kathleen Schuster. This educational content is provided for informational purposes only. Always consult qualified healthcare providers for treatment decisions.
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