#437: Palate Expanders for Toddlers: What Parents Should Know with Dr. Nora Zaghi

Wondering if your toddler is too young for a palate expander? My daughter got hers at three and a half, and Dr. Nora and I are sharing exactly what the process really looked like.

Dr. Nora Zaghi of Breathe Kids Dental joins me to walk through the real process of getting a palate expander for a toddler, using my daughter Adena's journey as our example. You'll hear the signs of sleep and breathing problems in young kids, from snoring and mouth breathing to restless sleep, ADHD-like symptoms, and slow growth. We cover how providers decide if a child is a candidate, what the clicks actually do to the palate and the floor of the nose, why some kids get both an upper and lower expander, and how long the activation and holding phases last. Dr. Nora also explains why she cautions against stock silicone mouthpieces, how to find a provider when there isn't one near you, and what her study found about expansion and enlarged tonsils and adenoids.

Topics Discussed in this Episode:

• Why Toddlers Under 7 May Need Airway Expansion
• Why Pulling Teeth Can Shrink a Child's Airway
• Is My Child a Candidate for a Palate Expander
• Signs of Sleep Apnea in Kids
• Why to Avoid Over-the-Counter Silicone Appliances
• Are Expanders Uncomfortable for Young Kids
• Will My Child Need More Than One Expander
• Expander Hygiene and Cavity Risk

Show Notes:

• Learn more about Dr. Nora and Breathe Kids Dental

• Follow @dr.norazaghi on Instagram

• Click here to learn more about Dr. Elana Roumell's Doctor Mom Membership, a membership designed for moms who want to be their child's number one health advocate!

• Click here to explore Steph Greunke, RD's Mindset and Metabolism Substack, nuanced discussions on fat loss and behavior change for women.

• Watch this episode on our Youtube channel @medschoolformoms

• Listen to today's episode on our website

Meet Dr. Nora Zaghi, a board-certified pediatric dentist who is redefining children's dental care by looking beyond teeth and focusing on the health and development of the whole child.

Through her work at Breathe Kids Dental, Dr. Nora takes a functional and holistic approach to pediatric dentistry, exploring the important connections between oral health, breathing, sleep, jaw development, nutrition, and overall well-being.

Passionate about prevention and early intervention, she helps families better understand how everyday habits—including thumb sucking, pacifier use, chewing, and swallowing—can influence a child's oral and facial development. Her approach emphasizes parent education, individualized care, and collaboration with allied health professionals to support healthy growth from an early age.

Dr. Nora also incorporates innovative, minimally invasive dental techniques, including laser dentistry, ozone therapy, and advanced imaging technology, with a focus on preserving healthy tooth structure and using biocompatible materials.

At the heart of her mission is a simple but powerful belief: children's oral health is deeply connected to their overall health, and empowering parents with the right knowledge can m