If your child has been diagnosed with ADHD—or you’re noticing constant fatigue, irritability, and trouble focusing—the real cause might surprise you. Mouth breathing in children is often overlooked, but research shows it can significantly affect behavior, sleep, and development.
At Hamada Orthodontics, we help families throughout Metairie, Luling, and Destrehan identify and treat the underlying airway issues that affect children’s health and quality of life by addressing mouth breathing & ADHD in kids!
What You’ll Learn in This Article
- The research-backed connection between mouth breathing and behavioral issues like ADHD symptoms
- Daytime, nighttime, and facial signs that indicate your child may be a mouth breather
- Why airway problems create a cycle that worsens over time
- How airway-focused orthodontics treats the root cause—not just the symptoms
- Dr. Hamada’s personal journey discovering airway orthodontics through her daughter
- When to seek an evaluation and what to expect at your first visit
The Surprising Connection Between Mouth Breathing and ADHD and behavior
When children breathe through their mouths instead of their noses, it disrupts more than just airflow. Chronic mouth breathing can lead to poor sleep quality, reduced oxygen levels, and changes in facial development that compound over time.
The behavioral symptoms often look like other conditions:
- Difficulty concentrating in class
- Hyperactivity or restlessness
- Irritability and mood swings
- Fatigue despite adequate sleep hours
- Poor academic performance
- Bedwetting beyond typical ages
Studies show that pediatric sleep apnea—often caused by airway restrictions—can lead to behavioral issues frequently misdiagnosed as ADHD.
Research published in the journal Sleep and findings from the American Academy of Pediatrics confirm that children with sleep-disordered breathing are significantly more likely to exhibit these symptoms. Some children receive an ADHD diagnosis and medication when the root cause is actually how they breathe at night.
Signs Your Child May Be a Mouth Breather
Recognizing the warning signs can help you act early
| Daytime Signs | Nighttime Signs | Facial Development Signs |
|---|---|---|
| Lips frequently parted at rest | Snoring (even light snoring) | Elongated face shape |
| Dry, cracked lips | Restless sleep or odd positions | Recessed chin |
| Difficulty eating with mouth closed | Teeth grinding | Narrow dental arches |
| Frequent throat clearing | Gasping or pausing during sleep | Crowded teeth |
| Dark circles under eyes | Waking up tired | Open bite |
If several of these signs sound familiar, your child may benefit from an airway evaluation. Call us at 985-725-0509 or schedule online.
Why This Happens: Understanding Pediatric Airway Issues
Childhood snoring and mouth breathing develop for several reasons. Enlarged tonsils and adenoids are common culprits, but the problem often involves the structure of the jaw and palate.
When the upper jaw is too narrow, nasal passages become restricted. The tongue can’t rest properly on the roof of the mouth, and the airway becomes compromised.
This creates a cycle: mouth breathing leads to improper jaw development, which further restricts the airway, which reinforces the mouth breathing habit.
Over time, children become stuck in a pattern of nasal obstruction and oral breathing that affects everything from sleep quality to classroom performance.
The good news? When caught early, these issues can often be corrected through early orthodontic intervention focused on expanding the palate and improving airway function—not just straightening teeth.
How Airway-Focused Orthodontics Helps
Traditional orthodontics focuses primarily on tooth alignment and bite correction. Airway-centric orthodontics takes a different approach by treating the underlying structures that have resulted in the orthodontic issues. In treating the cause (small jaws), the airway can be improved.
Treatment may include:
Palatal Expander for Kids: A palatal expander widens the upper jaw, creating more room for the tongue and opening nasal passages. This makes nose breathing easier and more natural—addressing the structural cause of airway restriction.
Growth Guidance: Early orthodontic intervention during development can guide jaw growth in ways that support healthy airway function for life.
Myofunctional Therapy: Exercises that retrain the tongue and facial muscles to support proper breathing and swallowing patterns. Learn more about myofunctional therapy.
Collaboration with ENTs and Sleep Specialists: When enlarged tonsils, adenoids, or pediatric sleep apnea are contributing factors, we coordinate with local specialists to ensure comprehensive care.
For many children, improving airway function leads to better sleep, improved behavior, and enhanced quality of life—benefits that extend far beyond a straighter smile.
Dr. Hamada’s Personal Connection to Airway Orthodontics
Dr. Allison Hamada’s commitment to airway-focused treatment comes from personal experience. When her daughter Sophia struggled with symptoms that no one could explain, the journey to find answers led Dr. Hamada to discover how profoundly breathing affects development and behavior.
That experience transformed how she practices orthodontics. Today, Hamada Orthodontics evaluates every patient’s airway as part of comprehensive care—because treating the whole child, not just their teeth, leads to truly life-changing results.
Families throughout Jefferson Parish and St. Charles Parish trust Dr. Hamada to look beyond the surface and identify issues other providers might miss.
When to Seek an Evaluation
If your child snores, breathes through their mouth, grinds their teeth, or struggles with sleep, don’t wait—an evaluation is appropriate at any age.
When airway issues are involved, waiting isn’t neutral. These problems can affect your child’s development, behavior, and quality of life right now, and they often worsen over time without intervention.
Early orthodontic intervention is particularly important for airway issues because:
- Children’s bones are still developing and more responsive to treatment
- Behavioral and sleep problems can be addressed before they affect school performance
- Treatment is often simpler and shorter when started early
- Proper development now prevents more complex issues later
The longer airway obstruction goes unaddressed, the more it shapes your child’s facial development, sleep quality, and daily functioning. If you’re noticing symptoms, that’s your signal to act.
What to Expect at Your First Visit
At Hamada Orthodontics, we take time to understand your child’s complete health picture. During an initial consultation, we’ll:
- Review your child’s medical and dental history
- Discuss sleep patterns, breathing habits, and any behavioral concerns
- Perform a comprehensive examination including airway assessment
- Take digital imaging
- Explain our findings and discuss whether treatment could help
There’s no pressure and no obligation. Many parents leave simply feeling relieved to finally have answers—especially those who’ve spent years wondering if their child’s focus issues, fatigue, or behavioral struggles had an underlying cause.
We offer convenient locations in Metairie, Luling, and Destrehan, making it easy for families across the Greater New Orleans area to access specialized airway care. Call 985-725-0509 to schedule or book online.
Frequently Asked Questions from New Orleans Parents
Can mouth breathing really cause behavioral problems in children?
Yes. Research shows that chronic mouth breathing leads to poor sleep quality and reduced oxygen levels, both of which significantly affect concentration, mood, and behavior.
Children with untreated pediatric sleep apnea or sleep-disordered breathing are sometimes misdiagnosed with ADHD before the underlying airway issue is identified.
At what age should I have my child evaluated for mouth breathing?
If you notice signs like snoring, mouth breathing, teeth grinding, or chronic fatigue, an evaluation is appropriate right away—regardless of age.
When airway issues are involved, waiting isn’t neutral. These problems affect your child’s sleep, behavior, and development now, and they typically worsen without treatment. Don’t wait for a specific age; let the symptoms guide you.
Is snoring normal in children?
The simple answer is NO. It often indicates some degree of airway obstruction that should be evaluated. Even “light” snoring can disrupt sleep quality enough to affect daytime behavior and focus—and may be a sign of pediatric sleep apnea.
Learn more about the link between snoring and sleep.
How does orthodontic treatment help with breathing problems?
Airway-focused orthodontics addresses the structural causes of breathing problems. A palatal expander for kids widens the upper jaw, creating more space for the tongue and opening nasal passages.
This makes nasal breathing easier and can significantly improve sleep quality by reducing airway obstruction.
Will my child need to see other specialists?
It depends on the underlying cause. If enlarged tonsils or adenoids are contributing to airway obstruction, we may recommend an ENT referral.
We coordinate care to ensure your child receives comprehensive treatment that addresses all contributing factors.
How long does treatment take?
Treatment duration varies based on your child’s specific needs. Early orthodontic intervention focused on growth guidance and palatal expansion typically ranges from 12 to 18 months.
Dr. Hamada will provide a personalized timeline during your consultation.
Does insurance cover airway-focused orthodontic treatment?
Many dental insurance plans include orthodontic benefits that apply to this treatment. We also offer flexible payment plans to make care accessible for families in Metairie, Luling, and Destrehan.
Our team will help you understand your coverage options.
Where are your offices located?
We have three convenient locations serving the Greater New Orleans area:
Hamada Orthodontics | Metairie, LA
123 Metairie Rd, Metairie, LA 70005
Hamada Orthodontics | Luling, LA”
118 Lakewood Dr, Luling, LA 70070
Hamada Orthodontics | Destrehan, LA
131 Ormond Center Ct, Destrehan, LA 70047
Phone: (985) 725-0509
Help Your Child Breathe Better, Sleep Better, and Thrive
If you’ve been searching for answers about your child’s behavior, sleep, or focus, mouth breathing could be the missing piece. At Hamada Orthodontics, we specialize in identifying and treating the airway issues that affect children’s health and development.
Families from Old Metairie to Ormond Estates to Lakewood West—and across Jefferson and St. Charles Parish—trust Dr. Hamada to provide care that goes beyond straight teeth. Because every child deserves to breathe freely and reach their full potential.
