Airway Dentistry in Alpine, Utah: Helping Kids Breathe, Sleep, and Grow Better

When “Just Snoring” Is a Sign to Look Closer

If your child snores, sleeps with their mouth open, or wakes up moody and exhausted, you’re not alone. Parents often chalk it up to “just snoring,” but how a child breathes at night can shape the way they sleep, regulate emotions, focus at school, and even grow.
 

This is where airway dentistry comes in—an approach that looks beyond teeth to the structure and function of the airway. In Alpine, Utah, Alpine Airway Wellness focuses on supporting healthy breathing for kids and families.
 

Why am I, a gut-focused nutritionist, writing about this? Because breathing, sleep, and digestion are tightly linked. When we combine airway-aware dental care with thoughtful nutrition and lifestyle support, kids often feel better, sleep deeper, and engage more fully in treatment.

Why Airway Health Matters for Kids

Airway health refers to how easily a child can move air through the nose, mouth, and throat—and how jaw growth and tongue posture support that process.
 

Common signs that deserve attention include:

• Snoring or noisy breathing during sleep
  
  
• Mouth breathing, drooling, or grinding teeth
  
  
• Restless sleep, frequent waking, or “impossible mornings”
  
  
• Daytime headaches, irritability, or trouble focusing
   

When breathing is labored, kids may miss out on truly restorative sleep, which can ripple into learning, mood, energy, and physical development.

What Is Airway Dentistry?

Airway-focused dentists evaluate jaw growth, airway space, tongue posture, bite, and breathing patterns—not just the alignment of teeth. It’s a functional lens that differs from traditional “straighten what you see” approaches. For families in Alpine and the surrounding Utah Valley, this means care that supports both a healthy smile and the way a child breathes and sleeps.

Meet Alpine Airway Wellness & Dr. Brittany Johansen

Dr. Brittany Johansen leads a pediatric-friendly practice centered on airway-aware care. An airway evaluation may include:

• A detailed health and sleep history
• Assessment of jaw and bite development
• Observation of tongue posture and breathing habits
• Clear next steps that may involve monitoring, gentle growth-guidance, myofunctional therapy, or collaboration with other providers (e.g., ENT, speech/myofunctional therapists, and—when helpful—nutrition support).
   

The philosophy is team-based: build the right supports so kids can breathe, sleep, and grow with fewer obstacles.

How Airway Dentistry Helps Kids Breathe, Sleep, and Grow

Airway-aware care aims to encourage nasal breathing and support healthy jaw development so the tongue has space and airflow improves. Families often report:

• Fewer nights of snoring and restlessness
• More consistent deep sleep and easier mornings
• Better daytime regulation—calmer mood, steadier attention, and improved capacity for learning and play
   

No single pathway fits every child, but the north star is consistent: support structure and function so sleep can do its job.

Where Nutrition Comes In: The Gut–Airway Connection

The gut influences inflammation, immune function, and tissue healing—including in the mouth and airway. Many kids with airway challenges also experience:

• Digestive symptoms (constipation/diarrhea, tummy aches, reflux)
• Skin concerns (eczema, psoriasis, stubborn acne)
• “Big feelings” or energy swings tied to sleep and food patterns
   

When structural care alone (appliances, exercises, orthodontics) isn’t delivering full relief, food and gut work can help the body respond more comfortably and predictably.

How Whole Essentials Nutrition Supports Airway Patients

I work with children and families on digestion, autoimmunity, skin, and mental health from a nutrition and lifestyle perspective. My toolkit includes:

• Functional testing (when appropriate) to clarify gut imbalances or nutrient considerations
• Personalized nutrition plans that reduce inflammatory load and stabilize energy
• Family-friendly lifestyle strategies (bedtime routines, mealtime rhythms, hydration, gentle movement)
  
  

How this supports airway care:

• Better digestion → improved nutrient availability for growth and repair
• Calmer inflammation → potentially more comfort with dental work or appliances
• More stable energy/mood → kids can participate more fully in therapy and follow-ups

When Parents Should Consider Both Airway Dentistry and Nutrition Support

Airway flags: snoring, mouth breathing, restless sleep, headaches, early crowding of teeth.
Gut flags: constipation/diarrhea, tummy aches, reflux, eczema/psoriasis/acne, anxiety or mood swings that track with food or sleep.
 

You don’t have to choose a single lane. A both/and approach—airway + gut support—often helps children make steadier progress.

What It’s Like to Work with Emilie

Scope: I hold a Master’s in Nutrition. I’m not a medical doctor and I don’t diagnose conditions. My role is to guide a more mindful, practical relationship with food, using functional testing, nutrition, and lifestyle recommendations to support overall health—alongside your medical and dental team.

What to expect:

• An in-depth first visit covering digestion, sleep, mood, energy, and family food patterns
• A step-by-step plan that’s realistic for busy households
• Virtual sessions that make it easy to stay consistent—both within Utah and out of state
  
  

Next Steps & Disclaimer

Parents:

• If you recognize airway/sleep signs, reach out to Alpine Airway Wellness to ask about an evaluation.
• If gut or food issues are part of the picture, book a consult with Whole Essentials Nutrition to explore supportive, child-friendly nutrition steps.
  
  

Educational note: This article is for information only and isn’t medical or dental advice. My services complement, not replace the care of licensed physicians, dentists, and other providers. Always consult your child’s healthcare team about diagnosis and treatment decisions.