Tonsils, adenoids and your child's bite
4 September 2026 · 4 min read
Enlarged tissue at the back of the nose and throat can quietly reshape a growing face.
How they block the airway
Adenoids sit behind the nose and tonsils at the back of the throat. When either is enlarged, nasal airflow drops and the child compensates by opening the mouth, lowering the tongue and pushing the head forward.
The orthodontic consequence
Without the tongue resting on the palate, the upper jaw stays narrow and the lower jaw rotates backwards. The result is often a long face pattern, an open or deep bite and significant crowding.
Working with ENT
When enlarged tissue is confirmed, ENT treatment removes the obstruction — but the muscle habits usually remain. Combining ENT care with myofunctional therapy and, where needed, expansion gives the best long-term outcome.
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