Airway & breathing for children
Mouth breathing, snoring, tongue-tie and oral habits are parent questions first. This is where we look at how a child breathes, sleeps and uses their tongue — not only how their teeth look.
Almost nobody in Dubai has a real page for this. Parents arrive with the same questions: my child snores, they sleep with their mouth open, the paediatrician mentioned a tongue-tie. Airway care is how we answer those — with assessment, habit retraining, myofunctional work, frenectomy when it is needed, and expansion when the jaws are part of the story.
Airway assessment
How the jaws, tongue and nasal airway work together in sleep, growth and daytime breathing.
Learn more →Oral habit retraining
Thumb sucking, tongue thrust, nail biting and open-mouth posture — habits that shape the face if they stay.
Learn more →Myofunctional therapy
Tongue posture, lip seal and nasal breathing exercises that train the muscles around the airway.
Learn more →Tongue-tie & frenectomy
Laser frenectomy for a tight tongue or lip tie that is affecting feeding, speech, or how the tongue rests.
Learn more →Infant ties & feeding
Baby oral health visits that look at latch, lip and tongue ties, and the start of nasal breathing.
Learn more →Expansion overlap
A narrow upper jaw is an airway issue as much as an orthodontic one. Expansion often sits across both pillars.
Learn more →Questions parents type first
Why does my child snore?
Snoring in children is not just a noisy night. It can mean the nasal airway is small, the tongue sits low, or the jaws have not grown enough to keep the airway open in sleep. We look at the mouth, the tongue and the face together.
Is mouth breathing a dental problem?
Yes. Mouth breathing dries the mouth, changes tongue posture and can narrow the upper jaw over time. The earlier we catch it, the more we can guide growth instead of correcting it later.
When does a tongue-tie need treatment?
When the tie limits tongue lift, feeding, speech or the ability to rest the tongue on the palate. Not every visible tie needs a frenectomy — that is why assessment comes first.
Read more parent questions on Dental Topics, or browse All Services.
The skilled hands that care for your smile
At JuniorDental, our friendly, award winning pediatric dental team will ensure you and your child are well looked after
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Dr. Rafif Tayara
Founder & pediatric dentist
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Dr. Micheline Katramiz
Pediatric dentist
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Dr. Marianne Saade
Orthodontist
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Dr. Philippe Chanavaz
Oral and maxillofacial surgeon
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Dr. Julie SU
Pediatric dentist
Dr Rafif Tayara
Co-Founder & Pediatric dentis
Dr. Rafif Tayara is a leading pediatric dentist, Sleep Dental Medicine specialist qualified from Tufts University, a top 1% Invisalign First Provider based in Dubai and Netherlands, and founder of JuniorDental and The Pediatric Academy.Voted "Best Pediatric Dentist 2025", she’s a frequent speaker and educator, sharing on topics such as interceptive orthodontics, airway development, and modern pediatric dentistry.
She has practiced in both private clinics and hospital-based settings in North America, the Middle East, and GCC countries. Her practice blends modern pediatric dentistry, with her own expansion protocols in interceptive orthodontics, and myofunctional therapy to address the root causes of dental and airway issues in growing children, and revolves around a multi-disciplinary team of ENT doctors, speech and feeding therapists, sleep surgeons and physiotherapists. She is also highly skilled in treating and managing special needs children and has played a significant role in raising oral health awareness in the Middle East and GCC region through various media channels, conferences and
She is also the author of the children’s book “Danny and Sarah Go to Dr. Smile,” which helps children overcome dental anxiety through an engaging and reassuring story — reflecting her commitment to making dental care a positive, empowering experience.
A proud mum of three, Dr. Tayara combines her professional expertise with a deeply personal understanding of what families need — creating an environment where every child feels safe, understood, and cared for. Her mission is simple yet powerful: to help children breathe, grow, and smile better for life.
You can find her on:
Instagram @doctortayara.
LinkedIn @doctortayara.
Linktr @doctortayara.
Website @doctortayara.
She has practiced in both private clinics and hospital-based settings in North America, the Middle East, and GCC countries. Her practice blends modern pediatric dentistry, with her own expansion protocols in interceptive orthodontics, and myofunctional therapy to address the root causes of dental and airway issues in growing children, and revolves around a multi-disciplinary team of ENT doctors, speech and feeding therapists, sleep surgeons and physiotherapists. She is also highly skilled in treating and managing special needs children and has played a significant role in raising oral health awareness in the Middle East and GCC region through various media channels, conferences and
She is also the author of the children’s book “Danny and Sarah Go to Dr. Smile,” which helps children overcome dental anxiety through an engaging and reassuring story — reflecting her commitment to making dental care a positive, empowering experience.
A proud mum of three, Dr. Tayara combines her professional expertise with a deeply personal understanding of what families need — creating an environment where every child feels safe, understood, and cared for. Her mission is simple yet powerful: to help children breathe, grow, and smile better for life.
You can find her on:
Instagram @doctortayara.
LinkedIn @doctortayara.
Linktr @doctortayara.
Website @doctortayara.
Dr. Micheline Katramiz
Pediatric dentist & Invisalign First provider
Meet Dr. Micheline Katramiz, our Specialist Pediatric Dentist at Junior Dental!
Dr. Micheline brings warmth, expertise, and a deep passion for children’s oral health. As a mom of two herself, she understands how to make every child feel safe, heard, and comfortable at the dentist.
She specializes in a full range of pediatric dental treatments including crowns, fillings, pulp therapy, laughing gaz, and general anesthesia (GA) for more complex cases. She is also a certified Invisalign First provider, offering early orthodontic solutions for growing smiles.
Dr. Micheline brings warmth, expertise, and a deep passion for children’s oral health. As a mom of two herself, she understands how to make every child feel safe, heard, and comfortable at the dentist.
She specializes in a full range of pediatric dental treatments including crowns, fillings, pulp therapy, laughing gaz, and general anesthesia (GA) for more complex cases. She is also a certified Invisalign First provider, offering early orthodontic solutions for growing smiles.
Dr. Marianne Saade
Orthodontist
Dr. Marianne Saade is an American board-certified orthodontist.She obtained her Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies (CAGS) in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Master of Science in Dentistry (MSD), and Fellowship in Orthodontics from Boston University’s Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine.She has practiced in the United States, Lebanon, and the UAE, bringing extensive international experience to her patients.In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Saade serves as a Clinical Assistant Professor at Boston University and remains actively engaged in academic research, with publications in respected international journals.Fluent in English, French, and Arabic, Dr. Saade is dedicated to creating healthy, confident smiles by combining the latest advancements in orthodontic care with a personalized and compassionate approach.
Dr. Philippe Chanavaz
Oral and maxillofacial surgeon
Meet Dr. PhilippeChanavazDr. Philippe Chanavaz is a highly accomplished oral and maxillofacial surgeon in Dubai, dedicated to delivering advanced and patient-centric care. With a medical background rooted in both dental and surgical excellence, Dr. Chanavaz has earned a reputation as a pioneer in the fields of dental implantology, bone regeneration, and complex maxillofacial procedures.
Dr Julie Su
Pediatric dentist
Dr. Julie SU is graduated from the Paris Descartes Faculty of Dentistry. She later completed postgraduate certificates (CES) in Prosthodontics and Periodontology, as well as certification in Conscious Sedation, reflecting her comprehensive and versatile clinical background. As a mother of three, Dr. Julie SU understands how important it is for children to feel safe, heard, and comfortable during dental visits. She is passionate about creating positive, stress-free experiences that help children build confidence and healthy dental habits from an early age. Fluent in French, English and Chinese, she has practiced in both France and the UAE, always caring for children with attention to detail, patience and empathy. Her practice includes a full range of pediatric dental treatments, including cavity management, pediatric crowns, pulp therapies, and nitrous oxide sedation, all delivered in a gentle and child-friendly environment.
Frequently asked questions
Here are some of the most common questions asked by parents regarding their child's oral health
When should my child have their first dental visit?
How can I prevent cavities in my child’s teeth?
When should I start brushing my child’s teeth, and how much toothpaste should I use?
Does my child need dental X-rays, and are they safe?
Will my child need braces?
