Adenoid Hypertrophy/Enlarged Adenoids: Increased size of the adenoid.
What are Adenoids? The adenoids are a mass of soft tissue behind the nasal cavity. Like lymph nodes, adenoids are part of the immune system and are made of the same type of tissue (lymphoid tissue).
Tonsillitis: Is an infection or inflammation of the tonsils
What are Tonsils? The tonsils are balls of lymph tissue on both sides of the throat, above and behind the tongue. They are part of the immune system, which helps the body fight infection.
The problem that can arise with enlarged tonsils and adenoids is obstructed airflow, (sleep apnea) which leads to mouth breathing and sleeping disorders.
The location of the adenoids and tonsils has a large affect on the airway. If tonsils and adenoids become enlarged from illness, allergies or are genetically enlarged it lessens the airway and affects breathing habits, sleep habits, and overall health.
Mouth breathing is associated with structurally altering cranio facial growth; including narrow maxilla (upper) arch, poor bite/posterior cross bite, long anterior face height, anterior open bite and abnormal positioning of the mandible (lower jaw). Mouth breathing also affects saliva production and increases chances of decay.
Sleep disorders are medically associated with reduced systemic growth, hypertension, weight gain, and behavioral problems like ADD and depression. It is also found to significantly affect learning abilities and is associated with early development of Alzheimer’s and Dementia. Fragmented sleep affects memory, making it incapable of forming new synaptic connections necessary to encode a memory and also damages the prefrontal cortex of the brain, which is the site that is associated with memory and behavior.
The best way to prevent any of these issues is to see your Golden, CO dentist for a full exam so we can help determine the risk and/or prevent any long term problems.
Give us a call 303-526-9155