HealthyStart® in Winston-Salem, NC

What if your child could sleep better, breathe easier, and develop a beautiful smile — without traditional braces or invasive procedures? The HealthyStart® System makes it possible.

At Trenton B. Bottoms, DDS, we’re proud to offer HealthyStart in Winston-Salem — a revolutionary, non-invasive system that supports healthy facial growth, proper airway development, and naturally straight teeth in children. With no brackets, no wires, and no discomfort, HealthyStart is transforming how we think about early orthodontics and pediatric airway care.

What Is the HealthyStart® System?

HealthyStart is a series of custom-designed oral appliances that guide teeth and jaw development in growing children. It addresses not just crowding and alignment, but also the underlying causes of poor sleep, mouth breathing, and facial underdevelopment.

Unlike traditional braces that focus on straightening teeth after they’ve come in, HealthyStart works before those problems take root — correcting habits, guiding growth, and promoting full, healthy airway development.

What HealthyStart Can Help With

HealthyStart is designed to address a wide range of childhood concerns, including:

• Crooked or crowded teeth
  
• Overbite, underbite, or crossbite
  
• Mouth breathing and snoring
  
• ADD/ADHD-like symptoms linked to poor sleep
  
• Nightmares, bedwetting, and restless sleep
  
• Dark under-eye circles and daytime fatigue
  
• Open mouth posture or tongue thrusting
  

If your child has been diagnosed with “mild sleep apnea,” struggles with behavior or focus, or snores regularly, HealthyStart may help address the root cause: an underdeveloped airway.

How HealthyStart Works

The HealthyStart system uses a series of soft, comfortable oral appliances worn primarily at night. Each stage of treatment is tailored to your child’s age, needs, and development.

Stage 1: Habit Correction

The first appliance helps eliminate poor oral habits like mouth breathing, thumb sucking, or tongue thrusting.

Stage 2: Arch Development

Next, the appliance gently expands the arches, creating room for incoming teeth and allowing proper jaw growth and alignment.

Stage 3: Tooth Guidance

The final appliance guides the permanent teeth into their proper position — often eliminating the need for future braces.

All of this occurs naturally, with no drilling, no brackets, and no pain. Kids typically love the appliances because they’re soft, easy to wear, and completely non-invasive.

Benefits of HealthyStart®

• No braces, wires, or drilling
  
• Addresses root causes — not just the symptoms
  
• Promotes natural facial growth and symmetry
  
• Improves sleep and oxygen intake
  
• Reduces the risk of future orthodontic or surgical intervention
  
• Supports better behavior, focus, and school performance
  

Parents who’ve searched for a dentist near me offering holistic, airway-aware pediatric care are often amazed at how much HealthyStart can impact their child’s health — not just their smile.

Why Early Treatment Matters

By age 7, 90% of a child’s face has already developed. That means the earlier we identify airway, sleep, or alignment concerns, the better the outcome — and the less intervention needed later.

Dr. Bottoms evaluates each child’s facial growth, oral habits, and airway function as part of their routine dental visits. If HealthyStart is appropriate, we’ll create a phased plan to guide treatment naturally as your child grows.

Why Choose Dr. Trent Bottoms for HealthyStart?

• Airway-Aware Dentistry: We look beyond the teeth to understand breathing, sleep, and facial development.
  
• Conservative Philosophy: HealthyStart fits perfectly with our non-invasive, prevention-first approach to dentistry.
  
• Experienced in Pediatric Care: Our team creates a fun, supportive environment that helps kids feel safe and confident.
  

Personalized Planning: Every child is different — and every HealthyStart plan is customized to their growth and goals.