Common Isn’t Normal: 10 Things Parents Think Children Will Outgrow—But Often Don’t
As parents, we often hear phrases like:
“He’ll grow out of it.”
“She’s always been like that.”
“His dad did the same thing.”
While some childhood behaviors are completely normal phases, others may be signs that something deeper deserves attention.
At Balvich Family Dentistry, we spend a great deal of time evaluating children’s breathing, sleep quality, jaw development, and oral function. One of the most common things we hear from parents is:
“I had no idea those things could be connected.”
Here are ten signs that are common—but not necessarily normal.
1. Mouth Breathing
Children are designed to breathe primarily through their noses.
When a child constantly breathes through their mouth, it may affect:
- Sleep quality
- Facial development
- Jaw growth
- Concentration
- Oral health
2. Snoring
Many parents are surprised to learn that regular snoring is not considered normal in children.
Snoring can be a sign that air is having difficulty moving through the airway during sleep.
3. Teeth Grinding
Grinding may be related to:
- Airway resistance
- Sleep disruption
- Stress
- Bite imbalances
While occasional grinding may occur, chronic grinding deserves investigation.
4. Bedwetting
Many children eventually outgrow bedwetting.
However, persistent bedwetting can sometimes be associated with sleep-disordered breathing and poor sleep quality.
5. Restless Sleep
Children should not spend the night tossing, turning, kicking, or changing positions constantly.
Frequent movement can indicate that sleep is not as restorative as it should be.
6. Hyperactivity
Some children who appear hyperactive are actually tired.
Poor sleep often shows up as excess activity rather than sleepiness.
7. Difficulty Focusing
Concentration challenges can have many causes.
One often-overlooked contributor is poor quality sleep.
8. Frequent Headaches
Morning headaches can sometimes be linked to:
- Poor sleep
- Teeth grinding
- Airway issues
- Muscle tension
9. Food Aversions
Children who avoid certain textures or foods may have underlying oral function challenges.
10. Constant Fatigue or Irritability
A child who is constantly tired, moody, or irritable may not be getting the restorative sleep they need.
The Good News
The earlier these issues are identified, the more options families often have.
Our goal is not to diagnose every child with a problem. Our goal is to identify opportunities for healthier growth, better breathing, and better sleep.
If you recognize several of these signs, we invite you to complete our Sleep & Breathing Questionnaire and learn more about your child’s airway health.
