WHERE TO START WITH AIRWAY HEALTH AND CHILDREN

Suspecting that your child could have an airway disorder can be overwhelming. When it comes to airway health and children, the first step is education.

The Children's Airway First Foundation has created a comprehensive Resource Library with information from trusted sources and medical leaders to help parents seeking information on how they can best support and find treatment for children suffering from airway disorders.

The goal of the Children's Airway First Foundation Resource Library is to arm parents with foundation information about children's airway disorders, provide the latest information on treatments and medical innovations, and provide a safe environment in which parents can connect and share with other parents of children with airway issues. Education allows you to become a stronger, more informed advocate for your child's medical needs.

We have a number of resource types available such as book recommendations, research information, blogs, newsletters to help you stay current on the latest findings, and videos and podcasts from some of the country's top medical professionals specializing in children's airway disorders.

CAFF created Where to Start: First Steps to help parents start their journey of prevention and recovery for their children. We know there is a lot of information available on our website, and that could be overwhelming. First Steps is the perfect place for parents to begin.

AIRWAY HEALTH AND CHILDREN: WHEN TO SEE AN AIRWAY DENTIST

Believe it or not, it's actually never too early to see an airway-centric dentist. Children as early as 6-months to 12-months of age can benefit dramatically from receiving their first dental exam.

During the first exam, an airway-centric dentist will look at far more than just your child's teeth --- they will look for signs of possible airway disorders by:

• Examining your child's mouth to ensure there is enough room for the tongue to lay properly and for future teeth to come in

• Examining the roof of your child's mouth, ensuring it has the proper u-shape and not a high v-shape

• Checking for a tongue, cheek, or lip ties

Additionally, they will watch how your child is breathing --- watching for mouth breathing and other signs of possible airway issues.

Underdevelopment of dental arches and jaws in babies can lead to ADHD, depression, sleep issues, and other long-term health issues for children. When airway issues in children are spotted early, they can be quickly addressed, minimizing the damaging effects.

This is why seeking an examination from an airway-centric dentist as early as possible is critical for the long-term health of every child. Visit our Airway Management page to search for an airway-centric dentist in your area.

AIRWAY HEALTH AND CHILDREN: FINDING SUPPORT FOR PARENTS

CAFF was started by the parents of a child with an airway disorder, so we understand how much a supportive community can mean. That's why we started the Airway Huddle. This new forum is a place for parents to connect and share information and support.

To join the conversation, we ask that you become a member. Our goal is to protect the integrity of our forum and provide a safe place for parents to share and connect. This is why we require all participants to register first.

Click the link below to register, join the conversation, and become a member of the community: https://www.childrensairwayfirst.org/members.

AIRWAY HEALTH AND CHILDREN: THE STORY OF CANDY AND BRAD SPARKS

Meet Brad and Candy Sparks, the Co-Founders of Children's Airway First Foundation. In our first ever episode, they share a bit about why they started the foundation and why our mission is so critical to more than 400-million children around the world.

You can read the full story of Candy, Brand, and their daughter Savvy, on our website.