Airway Health Services in Meridian, ID

Breathe Better, Feel Better

Our airway health services will help you breathe, sleep and thrive.

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When patients think about their dental health, they generally don’t think about their airways. Surprisingly, dental health and your ability to breathe correctly are actually fundamentally connected. Airway medicine is on the rise and more people are discovering the life-changing benefits of treating airway issues so they can sleep and breathe better.

While it may take some work, getting some vital support from a qualified provider at Restoration Dentistry can be life-changing. If you have any questions about our airway health services, whether for a child or an adult, please don’t hesitate to contact us in Meridian, ID. We’re so happy to provide answers and work toward easy breathing, helping you feel rested and ready to take on every day!

What Are Airway Health Services?

Airway health services are meant to help patients breathe properly during the day and at night. We optimize breathing through the nose, so each breath is full and helps the body function as it should. A surprising number of people, whether they know it or not, would truly benefit from airway medicine.

A woman holding a dental model

The Four Pillars

Airway medicine focuses on four individual pillars to make comfortable and healthy breathing possible. These pillars include:

  • Tongue Tone

    Tongue Tone refers to how strong the tongue is.

  • Tongue Mobility

    Tongue Mobility refers to how flexible the tongue is.

  • Tongue Space

    Tongue Space refers to having enough space for the tongue on the roof of the mouth, and addressing airway obstructions.

  • Airway Obstructions

    Airway Obstructions, such as enlarged tonsils, that could be making it harder for you to breathe.

When all four pillars work together as intended, healthy breathing becomes much easier. 

The tongue is what we like to call the on-off switch for nasal breathing. If your tongue rests on the floor of your mouth, you’re more likely to breathe through your mouth. If your tongue sits on the roof of your mouth, you’ll likely breathe through your nose instead.

In our sleep, we’re less aware of our tongue’s posture and position. This is part of the reason why so many symptoms associated with the airways arise while we’re in our sleep, eventually leading to increased snoring or waking up and feeling tired.

Patient Stories
‘‘The office is full of state of the art equipment, imaging equipment that I never thought possible. If you want your smile to be the best it can be, Dr Clayton is your guy. I could go on and on, but bottom line is that he is enthusiastic and has a deep level of care for his patients. I couldn’t ever see myself going anywhere else ever again.’’

- Jeremy M

‘‘Dr. Clayton is the most thorough, thoughtful, and trustworthy dentist around. He is extremely professional with perfect bedside manner that erases any dental anxiety. My wife and I followed him to this beautiful new practice location here without hesitation. The staff here is top notch too. His style is a gentle, preventative, and restorative approach that I appreciate. I was grateful on my most recent visit for his instructions about how to strengthen enamel to improve some sensitive spots on my teeth.’’

- Rick LeCheminant

Treatments for Adults and Children

While airway health services can be a substantial help to many patients, younger children tend to respond to treatments better. This is because younger kids are still growing and experiencing regular body changes, and their anatomy is more adaptable and conforming to change. 

Luckily, some excellent, efficient airway health services are available to adults. You don’t have to give up hope—we have solutions that can work for you!

Signs and Symptoms of an Airway Issue

There are many symptoms of airway problems, but odds are you’ve already noticed a few of them if there’s a real issue. When you come into our office, we’ll look for the following signs to determine whether airway medicine is right for you:

  • Burping a lot after eating

  • Large tonsils

  • Anxiety or stress

  • Grinding teeth and jaw clenching

  • Snoring or loud breathing while sleeping

  • Chronic congestion, allergies, or asthma

  • Feeling chronically tired

  • Restless sleep

  • Difficulty keeping your lips closed

  • Narrow palette

We know some symptoms may be hard to identify (since you’re asleep for many of them). But it never hurts to speak with housemates about whether they’ve noticed anything on this list. Whatever you find, we’ll also conduct our own thorough assessment to get to the root of the problem.

Symptoms We See in Kids

Children also need support with their breathing, but parents and caregivers are much more likely to notice the signs. If your child is displaying any of the above symptoms or any of the additional symptoms below, please talk to a provider about your concerns:

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  • Burping a lot after eating

  • Delayed speech

  • Nightmares

  • Picky eating

  • Difficulty focusing

  • Behavioral changes

  • Inability to produce some age-appropriate sounds

If you’re a caregiver, please listen to your kids while they are sleeping and take note of any concerning symptoms. This will help you and your child’s medical team identify any underlying issues, including problems with airway obstruction or less-than-ideal breathing. Our kids deserve to breathe with comfort!

Health Consequences Associated with Airway Issues

Without proper treatment and airway correction, poor breathing can lead to many consequences. The following are just a few of the common systemic risks:

  • Gingivitis or gum disease

  • Increased fatigue and brain fog due to reduced oxygen intake

  • Elevated stress levels and hormones

  • Sleep-disordered breathing, also called sleep apnea

  • Fewer growth hormones, slowing down repair and healing

  • Facial deformities

  • Greater risk of respiratory illnesses

  • Increased risk of diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and heart disease

  • Bad posture

  • Neck and back pain

Your body is crying for help and it’s time to listen up. Reach out to Restoration Dentistry. The sooner you contact us, the faster we can get you on the road to better breathing and a much healthier life.

Dr. Clayton shaking hands with a patient

Restore Your Breathing with Restoration Dentistry

Breathing is fundamental to life, yet many people struggle with airway health issues without even realizing it. At Restoration Dentistry in Meridian, ID, we combine advanced training and innovative airway medicine to help you unlock better breathing and overall well-being. Our holistic approach addresses airway obstructions, tongue mobility, and nasal breathing patterns, giving you the tools to live a healthier life.

Our treatments can be life-changing, from addressing grinding and snoring to improving posture and reducing health risks. Ready to take the next step? Contact us today at (208) 229-1500 or visit our contact form.

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