Getting ample nutrition is crucial to the growth of your child. They need to consume all of the good stuff for physical and mental development.
Eventually, they will explore different flavors as their sense of taste becomes more refined. While your child might not like Brussels sprouts today, they could get around to liking it as they enter puberty.
The only time you would be worried is if your child only wants to eat one or two types of food. Nothing else. If you notice this behavior in your child, then you might as well dig a little deeper and find out why.
Although it’s easy to point out that your child simply has a preference for a specific type of food, there could be other factors that cause picky eating. One of these is the presence of an airway issue.
Uncovering the Causes of Picky Eating
There are numerous causes of picky eating in children. According to a 2018 study by researchers from the University of Bristol, the condition can be the result of the following:
- Early feeding difficulties;
- Late introduction of lumpy foods at weaning;
- Being pressured to eat or early choosiness; and
- Poor dietary variety in meals.
Another reason why some kids reject certain food is food neophobia. In this case, kids are reluctant to eat anything that’s unfamiliar to them. This can also pose a challenge to parents who want to make sure their children get ample nutrition across all the food groups.
However, the problem isn’t always psychological as in the case of children that have sensory processing issues.
Problems in the airway can also cause picky eating. And this has a lot to do with how the facial structure of your child changes as they grow.
An airway issue occurs when your child’s air passages become blocked or restricted. This can lead to breathing difficulties. Left untreated, an airway issue can make it harder for your child to chew or swallow.
For this reason, picky eating could be the result of an airway blockage in your child. Then again, it’s only one of many symptoms that can grow worse over time.
Picky Eating is Not Your Only Worry
If you are having trouble getting your child to eat certain types of food, you may want to treat this as an airway problem. To be sure, check for other symptoms, such as:
- Breathing through the mouth
- Teeth grinding during sleep
- Wheezing
- Shortness of breath
- Coughing
- Bedwetting
Immediate diagnosis and treatment are critical to eliminating airway blockages that get in the way of proper breathing and nutrition.
In most cases, the condition will become so severe that it will further disrupt the normal development of your child’s facial features as they grow into adulthood.
If you notice any of the following, you may want to schedule an examination at an airway-focused pediatric dental clinic.
At Children’s Choice, we provide a holistic approach towards better oral health in your child. We can also detect the presence of airway issues and work towards a tailored solution.
Give us a call today to learn more or schedule a consultation.