Small Patterns Early in Life Can Lead to Bigger Issues Later
The way a child breathes, sleeps, swallows, and grows is deeply connected.
When those patterns are functioning well, the jaws and airway tend to develop more naturally.
When they are not, children may begin to show signs such as mouth breathing, restless sleep, crowded teeth, speech challenges, or difficulty feeding.
These issues are often dismissed as things a child will simply outgrow.
In many cases, they are signals that the underlying foundation deserves a closer look.
Specialized Pediatric Care with a Whole-Child Perspective
Dr. Emily Wang leads pediatric care at BEST, bringing decades of experience helping children establish healthy foundations for lifelong oral health. A Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Wang earned her degrees from the University of California, Berkeley and the University of California, San Francisco before completing her pediatric dentistry residency at the University of Southern California and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.
Recognized as USC’s Resident of the Year and elected to the prestigious Omicron Kappa Upsilon dental honor society, Dr. Wang is passionate about providing evidence-based, compassionate care in a welcoming environment. She believes that every child deserves an experience built on trust, education, and prevention, while recognizing that healthy growth, breathing, and development are just as important as healthy teeth.
Working alongside Dr. Chris Chui, Dr. Wang helps families identify concerns early and develop thoughtful treatment plans that support healthy smiles and healthy development for years to come.
Clues That Growth and Development May Need Attention
Parents often seek an evaluation when they notice:
- Mouth breathing
- Snoring or restless sleep
- Dark circles under the eyes
- Crowded teeth
- Thumb sucking or prolonged pacifier use
- Speech concerns
- Difficulty chewing or swallowing
- Tongue-tie concerns
- Frequent congestion
- Behavioral challenges or difficulty focusing
- Slow or challenging feeding in infancy
These signs do not always point to one specific issue, but they often suggest that a more comprehensive assessment would be helpful.
Looking at Growth Through a Wider Lens
At BEST, we evaluate how key systems are developing, including:
- Airway and breathing
- Jaw growth and facial development
- Tongue posture and oral function
- Sleep quality
- Bite and dental development
- Feeding and swallowing patterns
This helps us identify where support may be beneficial and what interventions, if any, are most appropriate.
Comprehensive Care for Growing Children
Depending on your child’s needs, care may include:
- Growth and development evaluations
- Early orthodontic and airway guidance
- Myofunctional therapy
- Tongue-tie evaluation and laser frenectomy
- Sleep and airway assessment
- Collaboration with ENT, lactation, speech, and other providers
Our goal is to guide growth in a way that supports healthy breathing, function, and long-term stability.
Supporting Development While Growth Is Still on Your Side
Children are constantly growing.
That creates an opportunity to address issues earlier, often with more conservative and effective interventions.
By identifying patterns during development, we can help support healthier breathing, better sleep, improved function, and a stronger foundation for the future.
Featured Services
Comprehensive Growth & Development Evaluation
A detailed assessment of breathing, facial development, oral function, and sleep.
Early Orthodontics & Airway Development
Guided treatment to support jaw growth and create more room for the teeth and airway.
Myofunctional Therapy & Tongue-Tie Care
Functional therapies that help improve tongue posture, swallowing, and breathing patterns.
Early Insight Can Make a Lasting Difference
If you are concerned about your child’s breathing, sleep, feeding, or development, we can help you understand what is happening and what steps may be worth considering.