If your child, usually vibrant and energetic, starts to struggle with daily activities due to constant fatigue, it may be time to seek a specialist for sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). Perhaps you’ve noticed changes, such as loud snoring or difficulty concentrating on homework, that have pointed to signs of a condition that impacts their health and development. Recognizing these signs early is essential to help your child get back to living a healthier, happier life.
At Airway Dental & More, we are committed to ensuring that every child enjoys the benefits of a restful night’s sleep. Utilizing advanced diagnostic technology and a holistic approach to care, our team assesses each child’s individual needs. We provide customized treatment plans that may include dental appliances, behavioral modifications, and innovative therapies. Our team empowers parents and children with the tools and knowledge to overcome this condition.
12 Symptoms of Sleep Disordered Breathing in Children
Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) should not be overlooked, as ignoring symptoms can result in various health complications. Consulting the dental professionals at Airway Dental & More will help you effectively manage and treat your child’s condition right away. The following are the key signs to watch out for:
- Loud Snoring: While occasional snoring may not be a concern, consistent, loud snoring is often the most noticeable and common symptom of SDB in children.
- Pauses in Breathing: Look for episodes where the child seems to hold their breath or stop breathing during sleep, often followed by gasps or choking sounds.
- Restlessness During Sleep: Children with SDB may seem to struggle while sleeping; they might toss and turn frequently, have unusual sleeping positions, or even fall out of bed.
- Night Sweats: Excessive sweating during sleep can be a response to the effort of trying to breathe through blocked airways.
- Behavioral and Cognitive Issues: Daytime sleepiness, attention deficits, and learning problems can arise because disruptive sleep affects the brain’s ability to rest and regenerate.
- Growth Problems: Chronic sleep disruption can interfere with growth hormone production, potentially leading to growth issues.
- Bedwetting: Surprisingly, SDB can be linked to an increase in nighttime bedwetting episodes beyond the age when children normally gain bladder control.
- Morning Headaches: Waking up with a headache may be a sign that the body isn’t getting enough oxygen during sleep—a common issue in children with sleep-disordered breathing.
- Tongue Tie: This condition can restrict the movement of the tongue, potentially leading to breathing and feeding difficulties, which may exacerbate SDB symptoms during sleep.
- Frequent Nightmares: Children experiencing SDB may have disrupted sleep architecture, which can lead to an increase in nightmares and night terrors.
- Thumb Sucking: Persistent thumb sucking, especially beyond the toddler years, may be associated with oral structural changes that contribute to airway obstruction during sleep.
- Teeth Grinding (Bruxism): Often occurring as a response to stress or an attempt to open the airway, teeth grinding is a common symptom observed in children with SDB.
If not addressed, SDB can lead to a myriad of health complications, from hypertension and heart disease to diabetes and weight issues. Particularly in children, the stakes are even higher. SDB may slow their development, leading to learning challenges, behavioral problems, and difficulties in school performance.
Emotional issues like anxiety and poor task management might also surface, affecting their daily lives and overall happiness. The consequences may have a ripple effect, influencing their ability to focus during the day and even diminishing work performance later in life.
How We Treat Sleep Disordered Breathing
At Airway Dental, we adopt a comprehensive approach to treating SDB in children, focusing on ways to address the symptoms and causes of airway conditions. Our treatment methods include the following:
- Evaluation and Diagnosis: First, we thoroughly assess the condition and airway anatomy using state-of-the-art diagnostic tools. This may include sleep studies, which help us understand the specifics of the breathing interruptions that occur during sleep.
- Behavioral and Lifestyle Modifications: We advise on changes in bedtime routines and sleep hygiene to help alleviate symptoms. This can include adjusting sleeping positions, managing allergies that affect breathing, and establishing a calming bedtime routine.
- Dental and Orthodontic Solutions: Depending on the child’s needs, we may recommend orthodontic interventions. These can include dental appliances that help open the airway during sleep or orthodontic treatments to correct structural abnormalities contributing to SDB.
- Myofascial Therapy: This involves techniques aimed at relaxing and releasing muscular and fascial tension in the face and neck. Myofascial therapy can help improve the structural and functional aspects of breathing.
- Medical Management: If indicated, we collaborate with pediatricians and specialists to manage any associated conditions like enlarged tonsils or obesity, which can contribute to SDB.
- Continuous Monitoring and Support: SDB can affect a child’s growth and development, so we ensure ongoing monitoring and adjustments to treatments as needed. This is to secure the best possible outcomes and support overall health and well-being.
Our goal is to provide a supportive, comprehensive care plan that promotes better sleep, improves daily life, and enhances the long-term quality of life for our young patients.
Schedule an Airway Dentistry Appointment at Airway Dental & More
If you’ve noticed any signs of Sleep Disordered Breathing in your child, such as loud snoring or pauses in breathing, don’t wait to seek help. At Airway Dental, we specialize in diagnosing and treating sleep disorders in children, ensuring they can achieve restful sleep and healthy development. Our team uses advanced diagnostic tools and personalized treatment plans, including myofascial therapy and orthodontic solutions, tailored to your child’s unique needs.
You can rest assured we will diligently work to achieve restful sleep for your child with our expertise in airway dentistry. Contact us today at (904) 268-4466 or fill out our contact form to schedule a comprehensive evaluation. Let’s work together to improve your child’s sleep quality and overall well-being.
