Symptoms of Narrow Palate
A narrow palate can lead to several breathing problems and teeth misalignment. Here’s a look at how symptoms may appear at different life stages.
In babies
Babies with a narrow palate may have difficulty nursing or feeding from a bottle. Improper suction from a narrow palate can potentially lead to air bubbles when nursing that leads to excessive gas. Other potential symptoms in babies, include difficulty:
- nose breathing
- latching when nursing
- sleeping
- breathing at night
- clearing nasal fluids
In children
A narrow palate can cause breathing issues in children that lead to a habit of mouth breathing or obstructive sleep apnea. It can also cause dental problems such as:
- crowded teeth
- crossbites
- impacted teeth
- increased risk of poor oral health
Your child may also develop speech variances, especially with sounds that involve contact of the tongue against the palate.
In adults
Adults may have many of the same symptoms as children. Once the mouth is fully developed, treatment becomes more difficult and usually requires surgery.