How to Avoid Braces: Breathing, Jaw Growth, & Airway Health

How to Avoid Braces: Mouth breathing, Jaw Growth, and Airway Health Tips for Parents

The Culture Apothecary Podcast with Dr. Kalli Hale | August 31, 2025

When most parents think about orthodontics, the first image that comes to mind is metal braces. After all, crooked teeth seem like a simple cosmetic problem—straighten them out, slap on a retainer, and your child is set for life, right? Not quite. Recent breakthroughs in pediatric dentistry are showing us that crooked teeth, sleep struggles, ADHD-like symptoms, and even bedwetting may all point to something deeper: your child’s airway health.

Dr. Callie Hale, pediatric airway dentist and co-founder of Toothpillow, has been on a mission to change the way we think about orthodontics. Her philosophy? Fixing teeth isn’t just about cosmetics—it’s about making sure children can breathe, sleep, and grow properly. By addressing the true root cause of dental and behavioral problems, parents can help children avoid unnecessary suffering, save thousands in future dental costs, and protect their lifelong health. Let’s dive into what every parent should know.

The Shocking Impact of Mouth Breathing

It might look harmless when your child sleeps with their mouth open, but mouth breathing is a hidden epidemic. It’s linked to shocking health issues in kids, including:

ADHD-like behavior – Poor sleep from mouth breathing can mimic attention disorders and cause difficulty focusing.
Bedwetting – Oxygen deprivation during sleep can disrupt bladder control and delay nighttime dryness.
Facial changes – Known as “adenoid facies,” chronic mouth breathing literally changes the shape of the face.
Sleep apnea – This can lead to long-term issues like hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and memory problems.

The issue isn’t just about appearance. Chronic mouth breathing causes oxygen deprivation at night, disrupting brain development. Children who appear restless, hyperactive, or chronically tired may not need medication for behavior disorders—they may simply need better airway support. Parents often hear dentists or pediatricians say, “Don’t worry, they’ll grow out of it.” The truth is, they won’t. A snoring child becomes a snoring adult.

Key takeaway: If your child snores, grinds their teeth, or struggles with constant fatigue, don’t assume they’ll “grow out of it.” These are red flags that need immediate attention.

Why Braces Alone Aren’t the Answer

Traditional braces straighten teeth, but they don’t address the root cause of crooked teeth: underdeveloped jaws and poor breathing habits. In fact, many orthodontic treatments pull teeth back and narrow the jaw, which can worsen airway issues and even make sleep apnea more likely later in life.

Instead of waiting until all baby teeth fall out, early intervention—as young as age 3—can guide jaw growth, widen the palate, and create space for teeth to naturally align. This approach not only prevents overcrowding but also helps ensure the airway remains open, allowing children to breathe and sleep well.

Real-life example: Dr. Hale shares stories of children who had straight teeth with braces but continued to struggle with fatigue, snoring, and behavioral challenges. Once their airway and jaw development were addressed, their health and school performance dramatically improved. Many children even came off unnecessary medications for ADHD or sleep problems once their airway was corrected.

Tip for parents: Don’t rush into braces without considering jaw growth. Orthodontics should be about more than straight teeth—it should support long-term health.

How Jaw Development Shapes Health

The position of the tongue and the growth of the jaw are tightly linked. Here’s how it works:

A tongue resting on the roof of the mouth stimulates proper growth and naturally widens the upper jaw.
If the tongue rests low in the mouth due to mouth breathing or tongue ties, the jaw grows downward instead of forward.
This results in narrow airways, crowded teeth, and long-term breathing issues.

Jaw growth is most critical between ages 3 and 12, when nearly all facial development occurs. If missed during this window, treatments later in life are more complicated and less effective. That’s why early screening is essential.

The Path of Jaw Development

Tongue Position	Jaw Growth Outcome	Long-Term Effect
Tongue up, lips closed	Jaw grows forward, palate widens	Straight teeth, wide smile, healthy airway
Tongue low, mouth open	Jaw grows downward/narrow	Crooked teeth, small airway, sleep/breathing problems

Tip for parents: Watch for early red flags like crowded baby teeth (yes, perfectly straight baby teeth can actually be a warning sign!). Natural spacing means the jaw is developing correctly and will have room for permanent teeth.

The Role of Myofunctional Therapy

You’ve probably heard of physical therapy for muscles, but did you know there’s therapy for the tongue and lips? Myofunctional therapy helps retrain kids to keep their tongue on the roof of their mouth, strengthen oral muscles, and promote nasal breathing.

Think of it as a “workout” for the mouth. For older kids and even adults, it pairs with guided growth appliances like Toothpillow, which retrains breathing habits and expands the jaw naturally. These therapies can resolve tongue ties, improve speech clarity, and even help prevent orthodontic relapse.

Real-life example: Teens motivated by the idea of a strong jawline or “mewing” often unknowingly perform myofunctional therapy exercises. By focusing on proper posture and tongue placement, they improve their airway and achieve cosmetic benefits too. For children, these simple exercises can literally transform their future health trajectory.

Why Diet and Lifestyle Matter

Modern food habits play a big role in jaw development. Soft, processed diets mean less chewing—and less stimulation for jaw growth. Compare that to generations past, when kids chewed on tougher foods like meat, fibrous vegetables, and nuts, which naturally strengthened their jaw and facial structure.

Pacifiers and thumb sucking can also alter jaw growth. While fine for infants, prolonged use after age 2 can narrow the upper jaw and prevent proper tongue placement. Similarly, squeeze pouches and overly soft toddler foods reduce muscle activity in the jaw.

Tip for parents: Offer chewy, whole foods early on. Encourage kids to drink from cups instead of pouches and avoid prolonged pacifier use beyond infancy. Serving chewy meats, raw fruits, and vegetables not only improves nutrition but also strengthens facial muscles and supports jaw growth.

Real Consequences of Ignoring Airway Health

When left unchecked, mouth breathing and narrow jaws can lead to lifelong problems:

Obstructive sleep apnea in adulthood
High blood pressure and heart disease
Cognitive decline from chronic poor sleep
Ongoing dental expenses (multiple rounds of braces, extractions, retainers)

Many adults struggling with fatigue or health problems never realize their root issue began in childhood. What started as “cute snoring” may have silently developed into a dangerous condition. Children with unaddressed airway issues are not only more likely to suffer from school struggles and behavioral issues, but they also face increased risks of chronic illness later in life.

Key takeaway: Airway health is not optional—it is the foundation for lifelong wellness.

How Toothpillow is Changing the Game

Toothpillow is more than a device—it’s a new approach to orthodontics. Instead of waiting until age 13 for braces, parents can start early with guided jaw development. Benefits include:

Better sleep – Children stop snoring, grinding, and tossing at night.
Improved school performance – Rested kids focus better, retain information, and behave more calmly.
Long-term savings – Avoid repeat orthodontic treatments and lifelong retainers.
Cosmetic benefits – Teeth align naturally as the jaw grows.

Real-life example: Dr. Hale treated a 13-year-old girl who already had braces but still struggled with exhaustion. A sleep study revealed she stopped breathing 10 times an hour. By addressing her jaw width and airway—not just her teeth—her health dramatically improved. Parents across the U.S. are reporting similar stories after using Toothpillow’s guided approach, with transformations in both health and confidence.

Practical Tips for Parents

Here are steps you can take today to protect your child’s airway health:

Watch for warning signs: Snoring, bedwetting beyond age 5, dark circles under the eyes, or constant fatigue.
Check tongue posture: The tongue should rest at the roof of the mouth, not the bottom.
Encourage nasal breathing: If your child is a mouth breather, consult an airway dentist for solutions.
Strengthen with food: Offer chewy foods instead of only soft, processed ones.
Consider early intervention: Look into airway-focused orthodontics like Toothpillow before investing in braces.
Seek second opinions: If told your child will “grow out of” snoring or teeth grinding, challenge that advice.

Key takeaway: Small changes now can prevent major health and financial burdens in the future.

Final Thoughts

Straight teeth are just the tip of the iceberg. What really matters is the foundation of airway health that supports proper growth, better sleep, and lifelong well-being. Traditional braces may fix the cosmetic appearance of teeth, but unless jaw development and breathing are addressed, the benefits are temporary.

Parents hold the power to make a difference during a child’s critical growth years. By prioritizing airway health, you’re not just helping your child avoid braces—you’re setting them up for a healthier, happier future. Knowledge is empowerment, and when parents understand the connection between breathing, sleep, and jaw development, they can make informed choices that last a lifetime.