5 Signs Your Child's Tonsils Are Ready to Come Out

He Always Breathes Through His Mouth

When his tonsils and adenoids are enlarged, your child may feel as though his nose is plugged, so he'll start breathing more through his mouth. Then it's a chain reaction: As he breathes through his mouth for extended periods—you'll see and hear this even during the day—the saliva in his mouth can quickly dry out. "The dryness creates a welcoming environment for bacteria that increases his risk of getting cavities," says John Rutkauskas, D.D.S., chief executive officer of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry in Chicago.

The bottom line? Keep an eye out for potential problems, talk to your kid's doctor, and listen to your instincts. Those pesky "seasonal allergies" might actually be something more. If you catch the early warning signs of tonsil or adenoid trouble, your child will breathe a lot easier, and so will you.