Why Nasal Washes Are Essential for Babies & Children

For better nasal breathing, sleep hygiene, and healthy facial development

Nasal hygiene is just as important as brushing teeth — especially for little ones. A simple daily or as-needed saline nasal wash helps keep your child breathing through their nose, which directly affects sleep quality, jaw growth, behavior, and overall health.

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🌬 Why Nasal Breathing Matters

1. Optimal Oxygenation

When your child breathes through the nose, the air is warmed, filtered, and humidified — leading to better oxygen delivery to the brain and body.

2. Healthy Jaw & Facial Development

Nasal breathing keeps the tongue resting high on the palate.

This supports:

• Wider palate
• Better midface growth
• Improved airway development
• Reduced risk of crossbites, crowding, and long-face growth patterns

You can tie this directly to your interceptive, airway-centric philosophy at JuniorDental.

3. Better Sleep Hygiene

Clear nasal passages = quiet, restful sleep.

Improves:

• Snoring
• Mouth breathing
• Night-time awakenings
• Daytime focus, behavior, and school performance

Children who mouth-breathe often look tired, restless, irritable, or “hyperactive.”

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🤧 Why Nasal Washes Help

A saline wash:

• Flushes out mucus, allergens, dust, and viruses
• Reduces nasal congestion
• Prevents mouth breathing
• Supports faster recovery during colds
• Decreases risk of ear infections and sinus infections
• Improves feeding and sleep in babies

For kids who are often blocked, this is a game-changer.

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🍼 How to Do a Nasal Wash (Age by Age)

For Babies (0–12 months)

What you need: Sterile saline spray or ampoules (not pressurized jets)

How to do it:

1. Lay baby on their back or slightly turned to the side.
2. Gently insert a few drops or a gentle spray of saline.
3. Wait 3–5 seconds.
4. Use a nasal aspirator (manual or electric) to suction the mucus out.
5. Repeat on the other nostril.

Tip: Do this before feeds and before sleep for maximum benefit.

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For Toddlers & Children

What you need: Saline spray OR a gentle children’s nasal rinse bottle

How to do it:

1. Lean child slightly forward over the sink.
2. Insert the saline into one nostril and let it flow out the other.
3. Child breathes through the mouth while flushing.
4. Repeat on both sides.
5. Blow nose gently after.

If your child hates it:

Start with a simple spray → progress to a rinse as they get comfortable.

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⏰ How Often to Do It

• Daily during allergy season
• Before bedtime for sleep hygiene
• During colds: 2–3 times per day
• Before feeding for babies
• Before myofunctional exercises & aligner wear (your airway tie-in)