George Rivera, DDS

A Great Dentist

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Phone (630) 592-4949

Text Us (630) 827-8267

17W535 Butterfield Rd. Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181

George Rivera, DDS > Services > Airway Dentistry for Kids

We provide airway dentistry for kids to treat and preventing breathing and health issues as they mature into adulthood.

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Does Your Child Struggle with Breathing?

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Children's Airway Dentistry in Oakbrook Terrace IL

Is your child struggling with breathing, sleep, or dental problems? These concerns may be related to their airway health. At George Rivera, DDS, we offer airway dentistry for kids to address these issues. With Dr. Rivera's help, your child can breathe more easily and avoid potentially harmful health issues in adulthood.

Why Do Kids Need Airway Dentistry?

Airway dentistry for kids focuses on evaluating and treating airway-related issues in children. Airway problems can profoundly impact a child's overall health and well-being. Here are some common reasons why kids might need airway dentistry:

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

Children with OSA often struggle with snoring, restless sleep, and frequent waking during the night. OSA can lead to fatigue, irritability, and impaired cognitive development. Airway dentistry can help identify and treat the underlying causes of OSA in children.

Mouth-Breathing

Chronic mouth-breathing can result in a range of dental and facial issues, including misaligned teeth, a high palate, and an underdeveloped lower jaw. Addressing these issues early can prevent the need for future orthodontic treatment.

Tongue-Tie and Lip-Tie

These conditions can restrict the movement of the tongue and lips, affecting breastfeeding, speech development, and overall oral health. Airway dentistry for kids in Oakbrook Terrace can correct these issues.

Thumb-Sucking and Pacifier Habits

Prolonged thumb-sucking or pacifier use can lead to dental problems, such as an open bite or overbite. Airway dentistry can help address these habits to prevent future dental issues.

Benefits of Airway Dentistry

Take a look at some benefits of airway dentistry for kids.

Sleep Quality

Airway dentistry promotes better sleep by addressing disordered sleeping, like sleep apnea.

Proper Growth

This approach supports proper growth and alignment of facial structures during development.

Prevents Problems

By addressing issues early, airway dentistry prevents future complications and improves health.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can airway dentistry help with chronic headaches?

Yes, airway dentistry can often help reduce or even eliminate chronic headaches, especially when those headaches are linked to poor breathing, sleep-disordered breathing, or bite misalignment. A restricted airway can cause the body to work harder just to breathe, particularly during sleep. This added strain can lead to issues such as jaw tension, teeth grinding, poor sleep quality, and ultimately, chronic headaches.

What Does An Airway Dentist Do?

As a dental airway specialist, Dr. George Rivera evaluates more than just your teeth. He examines the structure of your jaws, tongue, and nasal passages, and how they may be contributing to airway restriction. If your headaches are caused by clenching, TMJ tension, or sleep issues like undiagnosed sleep apnea, improving your airway may provide long-lasting relief.

Treatment may include oral appliance therapy, myofunctional therapy, orthodontic adjustments, or guidance on jaw development in younger patients. These approaches are designed to improve airflow, reduce muscular tension, and support better sleep, all of which can help relieve headaches.

Call Us for Airway Dentistry in Oakbrook Terrace, IL

If you’re dealing with frequent headaches and suspect your airway might be involved, it may be time to consult an expert. Searching for an "airway dentist near me" is a great first step. Dr. Rivera is a trusted dental airway specialist in Oakbrook Terrace, here to help you breathe better and live pain-free.

Is airway dentistry different for children?

Airway dentistry is critical in diagnosing and treating conditions related to the oral and nasal passages that affect breathing. For children, this branch of dentistry is particularly important as it can influence their current health and their developmental trajectory.

Children's airway dentistry, as practiced by George Rivera, DDS, focuses on early detection and intervention for issues such as sleep-disordered breathing, which encompasses conditions like sleep apnea and snoring. These conditions can significantly impact a child's growth, behavior, and cognitive development.

Early Intervention for a Healthier Life

Unlike adults, children are still in the developmental stage, meaning their facial bones, jaws, and airway structures are more malleable. Early intervention can be more effective for kids, potentially reducing the need for more invasive treatments later in life.

Treatments might include orthodontic interventions to expand the dental arches and improve nasal breathing or myofunctional therapy to correct tongue posture and swallowing patterns.

Call Our Airway Dentist in Oakbrook Terrace, IL

For parents searching for an "airway dentist near me," it's essential to find a practitioner like Dr. Rivera, who understands the nuanced differences between adult and pediatric airway dentistry. A dentist with this knowledge can offer the appropriate interventions to support a child's overall health and development, ensuring they have the foundation for a lifetime of well-being.

Call us today for more information!

What are some signs I need airway dentistry?

If you snore, grind your teeth, wake up tired, or notice that your child mouth-breathes or struggles with sleep, these may be signs you need to see an airway dentist in Oakbrook Terrace, IL.

Signs You Might Need Airway Dentistry in Oakbrook Terrace

Airway issues can impact both children and adults, often without you even realizing the root cause.

In children, common signs include:

For adults, symptoms might show up as:

Loud snoring
Teeth grinding
Chronic fatigue
TMJ pain
Waking up gasping for air

How We Help Treat Airway Concerns

At our Oakbrook Terrace dental office, Dr. George Rivera specializes in identifying and treating airway issues using a comprehensive approach. As an experienced airway dentist, he evaluates the relationship between your jaw, tongue, and airway, using advanced diagnostics to uncover the true source of your symptoms.

Searching for "Airway Orthodontics Near Me?"

We treat kids and adults with custom solutions that may include oral appliances, myofunctional therapy, and airway orthodontics to promote better breathing and long-term health.

You no longer need to suffer from living with low-quality sleep. With airway dentistry, you can finally achieve the restful sleep and improved quality of life you deserve!

Give us a call at (630) 592-4949 to book your consultation with Dr. Rivera.

How Does Airway Dentistry Differ for Children?

Unlike adults, children are still growing, so their treatment plans must consider their ongoing development. Here are some ways in which airway dentistry differs for children:

Early Intervention

Children's airway dentistry focuses on early intervention to correct airway problems before they become more severe. This proactive approach can prevent more complex issues in adulthood.

Non-Invasive Treatments

Many airway-related problems in children can be addressed with non-invasive techniques, such as myofunctional therapy, oral posture appliances, and tongue-tie releases. These treatments are designed to be gentle and minimally disruptive to a child's daily life.

Collaboration with Healthcare Providers

A children's airway dentist often works closely with other healthcare providers, including pediatricians, otolaryngologists, and speech therapists, to ensure comprehensive care for the child.

Meet Our Doctor:

Dr. George Rivera
Dentist

Dr. Rivera is a highly skilled and experienced dentist who earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree in general dentistry from Loyola University’s School of Dentistry. He masterfully combines the science and artistry of dentistry by helping his patients enjoy healthier lives with beautiful smiles.

Over the years, Dr. Rivera has practiced dentistry in hospital settings and local neighborhoods around Chicago before starting his own Oakbrook Terrace dental office in 2009. Dr. Rivera is grateful to work everyday with an awesome team that he considers his extended family ...

Why Choose Dr. Rivera for Kids Airway Dentistry?

mother and daughter hugging | airway dentistry oakbrook terrace il

If you're searching for an "airway dentist near me" or "airway orthodontics near me" for your child, look no further than George Rivera, DDS! Here's why:

Extensive Experience: Dr. Rivera has years of experience in airway dentistry, and he understands the unique needs of children.
Comprehensive Approach: Dr. Rivera takes a comprehensive approach to airway dentistry, focusing on the child's overall health and well-being.
Advanced Technology: Our Oakbrook Terrace dental office has state-of-the-art dental technology to ensure accurate diagnoses and effective, comfortable treatments.
Friendly and Welcoming Environment: The entire team at George Rivera, DDS, is committed to creating a friendly and welcoming environment where children feel comfortable and at ease.

Contact Our Oakbrook Terrace Children's Dentist Today

Airway dentistry for kids can treat or prevent airway-related issues in children, providing early intervention and non-invasive treatments. Schedule a consultation today to give your child the gift of improved airway health and overall well-being!

Featured Blog Posts - Airway Dentistry for Kids

April 29, 2025

Understanding Airway Dentistry for Children

mother hugging daughter | airway dentist oakbrook terrace il

When your child struggles to breathe, life becomes challenging. They might develop problems with sleeping or even a sleep disorder called sleep apnea. Airway issues can also contribute to dental concerns like mouth breathing, resulting in tooth decay and cavities.

The good news is that airway dentistry offers solutions for kids that can alleviate these issues, improve their developmental trajectory, and minimize future problems. At George Rivera, DDS, we provide airway solutions for adults and children to contribute to clear and easy breathing. Here's what you should know if you're looking ...

Is Airway Dentistry for Kids Different from Airway Dentistry for Adults?

young girl with brown hair smiling | airway dentist near me

Airway dentistry for children and adults focuses on oral anatomy's role in breathing. While airway dentistry for children and adults is similar, the approach differs.

With an adult, our Oakbrook Terrace dentist is dealing with fully developed oral anatomy. With children, the focus is on "developing" oral structures and anatomy.

Airway breath considers the relationship between oral structure and breathing.

About Children and Airway Breathing

Issues with the airway in children can disrupt their development, impact their oral health, and interfere with their general well-being.

Children may need airway dentistry and an evaluation for ...