Baby & Child Growth and Development Visits in Madison, NJ
A closer look at how your child breathes, feeds, sleeps, and grows
Ages 0 to 6 are foundation years
At Adams Dental, we like to see babies and young children before there is a toothache, a cavity, or a question about crooked teeth. The mouth is part of a child’s growth story. How a child breathes, feeds, sleeps, swallows, rests the tongue, and chews can shape jaw development, facial growth, tooth alignment, and airway health for years afterward.
The first 6 years are when the face, jaws, palate, and airway are still forming. They are also when children build the patterns they will repeat every day: nose or mouth breathing, where the tongue sits at rest, whether the lips close without effort, how food gets chewed and swallowed, and how well sleep holds through the night.
We’re not looking to find a problem in every child. We are looking early, so we can tell you what is going well, what is worth watching, and when a small amount of support now may save a longer road later.
Why this visit is different from a checkup
A standard visit focuses on teeth, cavities, and cleaning. Those matter, and we do them. This one is a 30-minute screening with one of our doctors, and the focus is how the whole oral system is working together: mouth, airway, tongue, lips, cheeks, jaws, palate, sleep, and feeding.
When those parts develop in step with each other, they support healthy breathing, feeding, sleep, speech, chewing, and facial growth. When something is off, finding it early gives us gentle options.
What we evaluate
Every visit is shaped around your child, so not all of this applies to every family. Here is the full range of what we may look at.
Breathing and airway
– Nasal breathing and signs of mouth breathing
– Tonsil size and signs of airway restriction
– Snoring, restless sleep, frequent waking, or noisy breathing
– Frequent congestion, allergies, or ENT history
Tongue, lips, and cheeks
– Tongue rest posture and tongue mobility
– Lip and cheek function
– Open-mouth posture or difficulty keeping the lips closed
– History of tongue tie, lip tie, or feeding challenges
Jaw and bite development
– Palate shape and jaw development
– Tooth spacing, crowding, or bite development
Feeding, chewing, and habits
– Feeding history, chewing, and swallowing patterns
– Pacifier, thumb, or oral habits
– Speech concerns or oral motor patterns
Birth and early history
– Labor and delivery history
– Early feeding and latch history
– Cranial and upper cervical strain patterns
Together, this tells us whether your child’s mouth, airway, and facial structures are heading in a healthy direction.
Who should be seen
We recommend an early growth visit for babies and young children, and especially when a parent has noticed one of the following.
Feeding and eating
– Difficulty nursing or bottle-feeding
– Clicking while feeding
– Reflux-like symptoms
– Picky eating or trouble chewing
– Feeding texture sensitivities
Breathing and sleep
– Noisy breathing
– Mouth breathing
– Snoring
– Restless sleep or frequent waking
– Frequent congestion or allergies
– Enlarged tonsils or adenoids
Mouth and tongue posture
– Open-mouth posture
– Difficulty keeping lips closed
– Low tongue posture
– Tongue thrusting
– History of tongue or lip tie
Habits, speech, and teeth
– Thumb sucking or prolonged pacifier use
– Speech concerns or delays
– Crowded baby teeth
– Dental wear or grinding
Development and regulation
– Sensory processing differences
– Difficulty focusing
– Behavioral hyperactivity or fatigue
Your child does not need to have any of these to benefit from a visit. Many parents come simply to hear that breathing, feeding, sleep, and jaw growth are on track.
“The best dental experience my kids ever had. Dr. Adams and the staff are really patient, kind, and masters of what they are doing. In my kids’ case, it is palate expansion, airway improvement, and myofunctional therapy.”
— Lyubov B.
“I spoke with Dr. Adams regarding my son’s facial asymmetry and I was impressed by the depth of her knowledge and expertise. Dr. Adams has a holistic understanding of dental health. She listened to my concerns attentively and patiently and provided me with a thorough explanation and compassionate advice.”
— Maria C.
“My whole family is being looked after wonderfully by the staff at Adams Dental. Dr. Adams has a holistic approach that goes beyond dentistry and takes the whole person into account, kids as well as adults.”
— Lutz P.
After the screening
Before you leave, the doctor will walk you through what they saw and what it means. For many families, the plan is to keep an eye on things and check back as your child grows.
If something comes up that needs a longer conversation, we’ll invite you back for a comprehensive consultation with Dr. Adams. Depending on what your child needs, it may involve habit guidance, feeding or chewing support, myofunctional therapy, lactation support, an airway evaluation, bodywork, a referral to your pediatrician or an ENT, or early growth-focused dental care. We stay in the conversation with those providers rather than handing you a list and sending you off.
Resources for your child’s health and happiness
We want you to feel confident about your child’s growth and development. Our team is here to make sure you’re equipped to make an informed decision about their care. Please reach out with any questions about feeding, breathing, sleep, or jaw growth. Or explore our dentists’ curated library of recommended resources for parents.
Investing in your child’s care
Adams Dental is a fee-for-service practice, so it’s no problem if you don’t have insurance. Our out-of-network policy allows us to provide your child with personalized care that’s never dictated by insurance.
For those with insurance, our team is happy to complete and submit dental and medical insurance claims on your behalf. Growth and development visits are sometimes covered by dental insurance depending on your policy. Payment options also include CareCredit financing and treatment schedules to fit your budget.
Questions? Call us at (973) 377-6500
Schedule a growth and development visit at Adams Dental
If you have noticed mouth breathing, snoring, an open mouth at rest, feeding trouble, restless sleep, crowded baby teeth, or you would simply like a trained set of eyes on how your child is growing, we’d like to meet you. The first visit runs 30 minutes with one of our doctors, and you’ll leave knowing whether anything warrants a longer conversation. Working with growth early is easier than correcting it later. Call us at (973) 377-6500 to get started.
Our Office
Find our office at the corner of Madison Avenue and Kings Road, next to Rose Hall.
One Kings Road
Madison, NJ 07940
Monday: 8am–6pm
Tuesday: 7:30am–4:30pm
Wednesday: 7:30am–4:30pm
Thursday: 7:30am–4:30pm
Friday: 7:30am–2pm
Saturday: 7:30am–1:30pm
A Practice Rooted in Compassion, Connection and Integrity
Book your appointment online or call us at (973) 377-6500. We look forward to getting to know you.
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We don’t believe in “one-size-fits-all” dentistry. Our Madison dentists look beyond your teeth and consider your entire well-being. This custom-tailored approach is rooted in open communication and collaboration to find the right solution to fit your health, lifestyle, and goals.