The Free Airway Screening: 13 Signs Your Child May Have a Breathing Problem That’s Affecting Their Sleep, Behavior, and Development

Most parents don't know their child has a breathing problem.

Not because they aren't paying attention. Because the signs don't look like a breathing problem. They look like ADHD. Or attitude. Or just "how he is." The connection between the airway and everything else — sleep, behavior, development, teeth — isn't something most doctors explain.

That's why we created the free airway screening.

In 60 seconds, it tells you whether your child's symptoms may point to sleep disordered breathing and whether an evaluation with Dr. K makes sense.

Before you take it — here's what you're screening for.

The 13 Signs of Sleep Disordered Breathing in Children

Go through this list honestly. Check anything that applies to your child:

During Sleep:
- [ ] Snores — even occasionally, even lightly
- [ ] Breathes loudly or noisily during sleep
- [ ] Mouth breathes while sleeping (lips parted, breathing through mouth)
- [ ] Restless sleep — tosses, turns, kicks, or wakes frequently
- [ ] Sleeps in unusual positions — head tilted way back, chin up, curled neck
- [ ] Bedwetting past the age when it typically stops (usually 5-6)
- [ ] Night terrors or sleepwalking
- [ ] Grinds teeth at night (bruxism) — you can hear it, or dentist has noted wear

During the Day:
- [ ] Mouth breathes at rest — lips apart, breathing through mouth even when calm
- [ ] Chronically congested — always stuffy, always a "cold," frequent ear infections
- [ ] Dark circles or puffiness under eyes despite seemingly enough sleep
- [ ] Hard to wake up in the morning / falls asleep easily in the car or afternoon

Behavior & Development:
- [ ] Inattention, hyperactivity, or impulsivity — symptoms that overlap with ADHD
- [ ] Emotional dysregulation — meltdowns, low frustration tolerance, mood swings
- [ ] Poor school performance despite apparent intelligence
- [ ] Crowded or crooked teeth — especially a high, narrow palate

How did your child score?

• 0-2 signs: Low concern. Monitor and check in if things change.
• 3-5 signs: Moderate concern. An airway evaluation is worth pursuing.
• 6+ signs: High concern. This pattern strongly suggests SDB. Get evaluated.

What the Screening Tells You

The free online airway screening takes the same 13 signs above, weighs them together, and gives you a clear signal: this warrants an evaluation or continue monitoring.

It doesn't diagnose. Dr. K diagnoses — after examining your child in person, reviewing their records, and seeing their actual jaw structure and breathing pattern. But the screening tells you whether to take the next step.

The screening is free. The consultation is complimentary. There's no pressure and no obligation.

What Happens at the Evaluation

If the screening suggests an evaluation, here's what to expect at Smile By Dr. K:

1. A thorough conversation — Dr. K listens to everything. Sleep history, behavior, dental history, family history, prior diagnoses.
2. A clinical exam — looking at jaw width and shape, palate height, tongue posture and tie, bite, teeth crowding, facial development.
3. A clear explanation — Dr. K tells you plainly what he sees, what it means, and what options exist. No jargon. No pressure.
4. A treatment plan, if warranted — tailored to your child’s age, growth stage, and specific findings.

Parents consistently say the consultation alone was valuable — because someone finally connected the dots.

Why Early Matters

The jaw develops most rapidly between ages 4 and 12. During this window, biological expansion is fastest, easiest, and most complete. Treating SDB during this window means:

• Less time in treatment
• Better outcomes
• A face and jaw that develop the way they were meant to
• A child who sleeps better, focuses better, and grows up healthier

Waiting until all permanent teeth come in — which is the traditional orthodontic approach — means waiting until the critical growth window is largely closed.

If your child is between 4 and 12 and has 3 or more signs above, now is the best time to act.

Take the Free Screening Now

👉 [Take the Free 60-Second Airway Screening] — smilebydrk.com/airway-screener

It takes one minute. It could change everything.

Smile By Dr. K — Two Locations:
- Northridge (near the 405 & 118 Freeways)
- Newbury Park (serving Ventura County)

📲 Call or text us:
Northridge: (818) 341-5150 | Newbury Park: (805) 498-7785

Dr. Yoram Kohanzadeh is Southern California's first and only certified airway orthodontist. He has treated patients from age 3 to 67. Breathe easy, smile bright.

Share This With Another Parent

If any of this sounds like a child you know, send them this post. The number of children going undiagnosed with sleep disordered breathing — while being treated for ADHD, allergies, and behavioral problems instead — is staggering. You might be the first person to connect the dots for a family that needed it.