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The Functional Aspects of High Arched Palate Treatment

A high-arched palate is a common condition known as a narrow palate. In this condition, an individual has a narrow and high palate, i.e., the space between the maxillary roof. It is a cosmetic concern; however, it also affects the functionality of your mouth. In this blog, you will learn about the functional aspects of high-arched palate treatment, challenges, treatments, and other related concerns.

For more details on high palate treatment, book an appointment with Peace of Mind Dental Studio, a reliable cosmetic dentistry in Chandler.

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Understanding High Arched Palate

A high-arched palate is a structural anomaly in your mouth, which causes a higher maxillary roof and impacted teeth. The space between the two lines of teeth is too narrow, and the roof is higher than usual. It is a common issue in kids who suck their thumbs or feed from a bottle excessively.

Common Challenges Associated with High Arched Palate

This anomaly can cause several other functional concerns, including:

Speech: Considering your tongue touches the roof of your mouth to pronounce many syllables, a high palate impacts your speech due to restricted tongue movement and airflow.

Chewing and Swallowing: A high-arched palate interferes with chewing and swallowing due to a narrow passage, which poses an obstacle to the alignment of teeth.

Breathing: In severe cases, a high-arched palate treatment impacts breathing and results in nasal congestion, snoring, and sleep apnea.

Dental Issues: A narrow palate can lead to dental crowding, misalignment, and malocclusion, increasing the risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders.

If your child is dealing with these issues and you don’t understand the problem, consult us at Peace of Mind Dental Studio today to learn more.

Treatment Modalities for Functional Improvement

Various treatments are available at Peace of Mind Dental Studio to address the functional concerns of high arched palate.

Orthodontic Treatment

Orthodontic treatments such as braces, expanders, aligners, etc., are prescribed to widen the palate, correct dental alignment, and improve bite function.

Surgical Intervention

In cases of high-arched palate treatment where individuals face severe challenges in usual functions such as biting, chewing, swallowing, and breathing, surgical intervention becomes necessary, such as palatal expansion or orthognathic surgery to correct structural anomalies.  

Myofunctional Therapy

Myofunctional therapy involves exercises for strengthening the muscles in the jaw, lips, and tongue to improve swallowing, speech, and biting.

Holistic Approach to High Arched Palate Treatment

In holistic approaches to high-arched palate treatment, the focus is not merely on the functional aspects of the treatment but on the individual’s overall health, considering their habits and related problems. It may include:

Nutritional Counseling

It is very important when you have infants. Babies used to breastfeed, which contributed to tongue function and development. Now, most babies rely on bottle or gruel food. New mothers are advised to resort to nutritional counseling to learn more about the nutritional needs of babies, which contributes to the healthier development of the tongue and muscles in the mouth.

Breathing Exercises

At Peace of Mind Dental Studio, Chandler, we monitor the breathing of our high-arched palate patients. Irregular nasal breathing, breathing through the mouth, or sleep apnea are common problems in such patients. We recommend breathing exercises and techniques to improve nasal airflow and alleviate breathing difficulties associated with high-arched palate.

Stress Management

Bruxism is a common issue in people with a high-arched palate. It is often associated with stress, so stress management techniques prove to be really helpful with high-arched palates and resulting sleep apnea.

Tips for Living Daily with High Arched Palate

Living with a high-arched palate might be difficult, but it is still possible. In not so severe cases, we suggest the following tips that help in daily life. Check these out:

Practice Good Oral Hygiene

Due to the narrow maxilla, it is challenging to brush properly. Thus, maintaining a proper oral hygiene routine becomes extremely important, or you might develop other oral health issues.

Regular Dental Checkups

If you have a high-arched palate, it is advised that you visit your dentist regularly to have your teeth examined. Dental issues arise easily in people with an arched palate, considering improper brushing technique due to a narrow palate.

In the case of infants and babies, it is crucial to choose a family dentist in Chandler to reverse the high-arched palate. The condition becomes difficult to treat once the kids grow up.

Assistive Devices

For people with high-arched palates, devices such as oral irrigators, tongue scrapers, and flossers effectively clean the hard-to-reach areas.

Final Words

A high-arched palate is not just a cosmetic concern but affects oral functionality and, thus, your overall well-being. Parents are advised to notice the symptoms in their babies and consult a family dentist for any abnormalities.

Peace of Mind Dental Studio is a well-known cosmetic dentistry practice in Chandler, where you can find the best treatment for high-arched palates. For more information, contact us today!

Frequently Asked Questions

Que: Is high-arched palate reversible?

Ans: Yes, reversing the high-arched palate in infants is easy. However, in adults, it requires surgical intervention and other exercises.

Que: Can high-arched palate be treated without surgery?

Ans: Yes, it is possible to treat this condition through orthodontics and myofunctional therapy.

Que: What if I don’t seek treatment for a high-arched palate?

Ans: People live with high-arched palate. The tips to live a quality life with a high-arched palate have been shared above. However, in severe cases where speech, chewing and swallowing are significantly affected, professional intervention is advised as it might lead to dental issues. Contact Peace of Mind Dental Studio for details!

Written by Dr. Silverman

Dr. Silverman is the co-founder of Peace of Mind Dental, a Chandler Arizona, general dentistry practice.

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