How does optimal breathing and jaw development impact your child's sleep, mood, and ability to thrive?

Dr. Shereen Lim, originally a general dentist for 26 years, first delved into the world of sleep apnea due to her husband's persistent snoring. Her initial focus was on dental devices for adults, but this quickly shifted when she wondered why children's jaws weren't helped to grow properly from the start. She came across research indicating that palate expansion could reduce snoring and obstructive sleep apnea in children. This led her to pursue early interceptive orthodontics. However, when she spoke to a pioneer in sleep medicine about palate expansion, she was told she was too late, which prompted a critical realization: form follows function. Her attention then shifted entirely to the earliest years of life, focusing on how to ensure a child's tongue and other oral muscles work well to promote optimal jaw development. Dr. Lim stresses that good airway health is defined by nasal breathing 24/7 and optimal jaw development, which serves as the foundation for thriving health and vitality across the ages. She emphasizes that sleep and breathing problems should be viewed as family health issues, often leading to attachment difficulties in infants and behavioral problems in older children, ultimately impacting the entire household.

Key Takeaways

● Airway health is defined as promoting nasal breathing 24/7 and optimal jaw development through effective oral function.

● Snoring, mouth breathing, and a lack of silence during sleep are signals that airflow difficulties may be present, leading to unrestorative sleep.

● Breastfeeding, with optimal latch mechanics, is crucial because it acts as nature's palate expander, helping develop the jaws forward and wide.

● We must consider the outer borders of the airway—the jaw structures—not just tissue removal, to increase airflow and space for the tongue.

● Poor breathing quality during sleep can increase the risk of behavioral, learning problems, anxiety, and separation anxiety in children.

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Resources

● Book Breathe, Sleep, Thrive. https://breathesleepthrivebook.com

● Website: https://www.drshereenlim.com.au

● Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drshereenlim

● Instagram: @dr.shereenlim https://www.instagram.com/dr.shereenlim

Guest Bio: Dr Lim is a Perth, Australia, based dentist with a postgraduate diploma in dental sleep medicine from the University of Western Australia.

She has been involved in the team management of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea for over a decade.

Dr Lim is dedicated to promoting airway health from infancy as an alternative approach to minimize the development of these problems, and is author of the book "Breathe, Sleep, Thrive: Discover How Airway Health Can Unlock Your Child's Greater Health, Learning and Potential."

Her work in private practice is restricted to tongue tie management from infancy to adulthood, early interceptive orthodontics and myofunctional therapy.

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