HealthyStart

HealthyStart® in Austin TX with Dr. Amanda Hartman

At Forest Family Dentistry's Burnet Road location in Austin, Dr. Amanda Hartman provides airway focused dental care for children through the HealthyStart® system. If you have a child who snores, grinds their teeth, breathes through their mouth, wets the bed, or seems chronically tired no matter how much sleep they get, there is a good chance that an airway issue is at the root of it. HealthyStart® was designed specifically to address these issues early, during the years when a child's jaw and airway are still actively developing, so that bigger problems down the road can be avoided entirely.

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What Is HealthyStart®?

HealthyStart® is an early orthodontic and airway treatment system that uses a series of soft, comfortable oral appliances worn during sleep or for short periods during the day. The appliances are custom fitted to each child and work gently over time to encourage nasal breathing, guide the teeth into proper natural alignment, support healthy jaw and facial development, and open up the airway so children can breathe freely while they sleep.

Unlike traditional braces, HealthyStart® does not involve brackets or wires and it is completely non-invasive. Most children adapt to the appliances quickly and parents often start noticing improvements in sleep quality, behavior, and focus within the first few months of treatment.

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Signs Your Child May Benefit from HealthyStart®

Many parents are surprised to learn that some of the most common childhood struggles have a dental and airway connection. Your child may be a good candidate for a HealthyStart® evaluation if they snore or make noisy breathing sounds during sleep, grind their teeth at night, breathe through their mouth during the day or while sleeping, wake up tired even after a full night of sleep, struggle with focus or attention during the day, have been diagnosed with ADHD or behavioral concerns, experience restless sleep or bedwetting, have crowded or crooked teeth coming in, or have chronic congestion, dark circles under the eyes, or recurring ear infections.

None of these symptoms are things to just wait it out. Early evaluation can make an enormous difference in a child's development, health, and quality of life.

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Why Early Treatment Matters

The years between ages two and twelve are a critical window for jaw and airway development. Addressing breathing and alignment concerns during this time takes advantage of natural growth process, which means results are faster, more comfortable, and longer lasting than trying to correct the same issues in adolescence or adulthood. Many HealthyStart® patients also reduce or eliminate the need for traditional braces later on, which is an outcome parents understandably love.

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Meet Dr. Amanda Hartman

Dr. Amanda Hartman is a certified HealthyStart® provider and one of the most experienced airway focused dentists in Austin. With over fifteen years of clinical experience and a genuine passion for pediatric development and whole body wellness, she brings a level of expertise and warmth to this area of care that is rare to find. She takes the time to thoroughly evaluate each child, explain her findings in plain language, and build a treatment plan that fits your child's specific needs and your family's schedule.

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If you are looking for a HealthyStart® provider in Austin TX or wondering whether your child's sleep or breathing concerns have a dental connection, we would love to help. Book a consultation with Dr. Hartman at our Burnet Road location and let us take a closer look.

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