The jaw, airway, and bite develop rapidly during childhood — and what happens during those critical years has lifelong implications for how a child breathes, sleeps, chews, and looks. At Kind Kids Dental, growth and development assessment is not an afterthought. It is a core part of every checkup.
Dr. Kasey Hall, DMD, completed a two-year pediatric dental residency at St. Joseph Hospital for Specialty Care in Providence, Rhode Island, where he trained alongside children with complex developmental, medical, and airway needs. That experience informs every growth assessment at our Clackamas practice. Families in Happy Valley and Clackamas who have concerns about how their child’s teeth, jaw, or breathing are developing can learn more about our approach through our full range of services or get started on the new patients page.
At each visit, Dr. Kasey evaluates:
When we identify a concern, we explain it clearly and discuss whether watchful waiting, intervention, or referral is the right next step. Early assessment does not always mean early treatment — but it does mean nothing gets missed. We coordinate with orthodontists, ENTs, and other specialists when a concern goes beyond what we can address in the dental chair, and we stay involved throughout that process.
Why Early Growth Assessment Matters
The window during which jaw and facial development can be guided most effectively is narrow. Between ages 2 and 10, the bones of the face and jaw are still actively growing and respond to intervention in ways that are simply not possible once growth is complete. A child with a narrow upper jaw, a habit of mouth breathing, or a tongue tie that went unaddressed in early childhood may face more complex orthodontic or airway problems as a teenager or adult. Catching these issues early — even when treatment is not yet needed — means we can monitor, guide, and act at exactly the right moment.
Signs Parents Should Watch For
You don’t need to wait for your child to complain about something to bring it to our attention. Parents are often the first to notice the early signs of a developmental concern. If your child snores regularly, breathes through their mouth during the day, seems restless during sleep, has dark circles under their eyes, or you’ve noticed their teeth coming in crowded or in an unusual order — mention it at the next visit. You can also reach out directly through our contact page if you’d like to discuss a concern before scheduling.
At Kind Kids Dental, Dr. Kasey evaluates jaw growth, eruption timing, airway signs, and oral habits at every checkup — not just when a concern is flagged. Families in Clackamas and Happy Valley can schedule a first visit or an assessment on our contact page.
Schedule an AppointmentFrequently Asked Questions About Growth and Development
At what age should my child have a growth and development assessment?
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends a first dental visit by age 1 or within 6 months of the first tooth erupting. Growth and development assessment begins from that first visit and continues at every checkup. By age 7, most children have enough permanent teeth that an orthodontic evaluation is also recommended to establish a baseline and catch any developing concerns early.
My child snores. Should I be worried?
Occasional snoring is common in children, especially during a cold. But habitual snoring — most nights, regardless of illness — can be a sign of sleep-disordered breathing with a dental or airway component. At Kind Kids Dental, we screen for airway concerns including mouth breathing, snoring, and narrow palate at every visit. If we see something that warrants further evaluation, we will explain it clearly and discuss whether a referral makes sense.
What is a tongue tie and how do I know if my child has one?
A tongue tie (ankyloglossia) is when the band of tissue connecting the underside of the tongue to the floor of the mouth is shorter or tighter than normal, restricting tongue movement. It can affect feeding in infants, speech development in toddlers, and jaw growth and oral posture in older children. We assess for tongue and lip tie at every visit and discuss findings with parents.
Does mouth breathing really affect how my child’s face develops?
Yes — this is well-established in the pediatric dental and orthodontic literature. When a child breathes through their mouth consistently, the tongue drops away from the roof of the mouth rather than resting against it. Over time this can lead to a narrower upper jaw, a longer lower face, and changes in bite alignment. Addressing the underlying cause earlier is always better than later.
What is the difference between a growth concern and something that just needs to be watched?
Not every developmental finding requires treatment. Some things benefit most from monitoring over time. Others — like a significant crossbite, a tongue tie affecting feeding, or signs of mouth breathing — may warrant earlier intervention. Dr. Kasey explains findings clearly at every visit and distinguishes between what we are watching, what we are addressing, and what may require referral to an orthodontist, ENT, or other specialist.
Will my child need braces if we catch things early?
Early assessment does not guarantee that braces will be avoided, but it does mean that any orthodontic treatment needed will be better planned and potentially simpler. In some cases, early intervention — like addressing a habit, managing space loss, or referring for a palate expander — can reduce the complexity and duration of later orthodontic treatment. Learn more on our non-invasive treatment options page.
Book an appointment
Let’s keep those tiny teeth shining! Schedule your child’s visit with our team by clicking the link below or calling our office at 503-658-3384. We look forward to seeing you!
