Is your child’s sleep being disrupted by loud snoring, breathing pauses or restless tossing and turning? Sleep apnea could be robbing them of the restorative rest they need to thrive.
At 949 Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, our compassionate doctors provide advanced pediatric sleep apnea treatment to help your child sleep better and live life to the fullest.
Pediatric sleep apnea can have profound effects on your child’s health, happiness and development. But with our tailored treatment plans, we can help them finally achieve the peaceful slumber their growing bodies require.
Understanding Pediatric Sleep Apnea
Pediatric obstructive sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder in which a child’s breathing is disrupted during sleep. It occurs when the upper airway becomes partially or completely blocked, causing the child to stop breathing repeatedly throughout the night. These breathing pauses can last anywhere from a few seconds to over a minute.
When breathing is obstructed, oxygen levels drop and sleep is extremely fragmented. This prevents the child from reaching the deep, restorative stages of sleep needed for healthy development. If pediatric sleep apnea is left untreated, it can have detrimental effects on a child’s cognitive performance, behavior, cardiovascular health, and more.
There are several factors that can contribute to obstructed breathing and sleep apnea in children:
- Enlarged tonsils and adenoids are the most common cause. When the tonsils and adenoids become swollen, they block the airway and make breathing difficult.
- Children with a family history of sleep apnea are at increased risk. There is often a genetic predisposition.
- Being overweight or obese can narrow the airway and make obstruction more likely during sleep.
- Certain medical conditions like Down syndrome and cerebral palsy can impact airway anatomy and muscle tone, increasing the chance of developing sleep apnea.
- Structural abnormalities such as a small jaw, overbite, or irregularities with the tongue and throat muscles may crowd the airway and cause obstruction.
Symptoms of Pediatric Sleep Apnea
Some of the most common symptoms of pediatric sleep apnea include:
- Loud snoring or noisy/labored breathing during sleep
- Intermittent pauses in breathing
- Gasping or choking noises when waking up
- Mouth breathing or open-mouth sleeping
- Frequent bedwetting
- Excessive daytime sleepiness/fatigue
- Morning headaches
- Irritability, hyperactivity or aggression
- Difficulty concentrating during the day
- Failure to thrive or lack of growth
- Bedtime resistance or difficulty falling asleep
If your child frequently exhibits these signs, pediatric sleep apnea may be the cause. Contact us today to schedule your child’s evaluation
Your Child’s Smile, Our Specialty
The Hidden Health Risks of Pediatric Sleep Apnea
According to the Sleep Foundation, sleep apnea affects over 1-5% of children . When left untreated, pediatric sleep apnea takes a major toll on your child’s well-being:
| Risk | Description |
| Fragmented sleep cycles | Children are deprived of restorative REM sleep, leaving them fatigued and sleepy during the daytime. This impairs concentration, mood, memory formation, and ability to learn. |
| Reduced oxygen levels | Low oxygen saturation stresses the cardiovascular system. This elevates the risk for developing hypertension, heart disease, and respiratory issues like asthma. |
| Hormone disruption | Disruption of growth and appetite hormones can hinder development and increase susceptibility to obesity. |
| Bedwetting and behavioral problems | Bedwetting, anxiety, and behavioral problems like irritability, hyperactivity, and aggression frequently present as well. |
Diagnosing Pediatric Sleep Apnea
Pediatric sleep apnea is typically diagnosed through a multi-step process involving:
- Our healthcare provider reviews the child’s symptoms and medical history. We will ask questions to understand the nature and duration of any symptoms.
- A physical exam will be conducted, focusing on the nose, throat, mouth, and airway. They will look for any structural abnormalities like enlarged tonsils, a narrow airway, or a recessed chin, which can obstruct breathing during sleep.
- In some cases, a sleep study or polysomnography test will be ordered. This test involves monitoring the child’s breathing, oxygen levels, heart rate, and sleep stages overnight. Sleep studies can definitively diagnose sleep apnea and determine its severity.
- The final diagnosis of pediatric sleep apnea is made by a sleep specialist or other qualified provider based on the child’s medical history, a physical exam, and results of any sleep studies.
Prompt and accurate diagnosis is important for establishing the right treatment plan to manage pediatric sleep apnea.
Join the Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics family for dedicated, child-friendly dental care that makes every visit a fun experience.
Banish Sleep Apnea for Good with Our Cutting-Edge Treatments
The first step is identifying the underlying cause of your child’s breathing impairment so we can tailor an effective solution. Our advanced treatment options include:
Oral Appliances
Oral appliances are custom-made devices that fit your child’s mouth and work by repositioning the jaw, tongue, soft palate or a combination of oral structures to prevent airway obstruction during sleep.
Impressions of your child’s teeth are taken to create an acrylic resin appliance molded specifically for their mouth. The appliance gently shifts the position of oral anatomy to open up blocked breathing passages.
Myofunctional Therapy
Myofunctional therapy involves facial exercises and muscle training techniques designed to strengthen the tongue and muscles around the mouth. A myofunctional therapist will create a customized program of exercises to help your child train their facial and throat muscles to maintain open, unobstructed breathing patterns.
The exercises are focused on reducing abnormal muscle contractions, encouraging proper tongue position, and developing a normal resting posture for the lips, jaw and tongue.
Laser-Assisted Procedures
Laser technology can be used to remove enlarged tonsils, adenoids and other excess tissue that is obstructing airflow in the throat. Our patented laser technique is a low-risk, in-office procedure that can ablate obstructing tissue with minimal pain and quick recovery compared to traditional tonsillectomy surgery.
A flexible fiber-optic laser is inserted through the mouth to precisely target and vaporize problematic tissue. The laser emits a beam of light energy that gently removes tissue without significant bleeding or need for sutures.
Orthodontic Correction
Misaligned jaws and dental issues like overbites can narrow air passages and contribute to pediatric sleep apnea. Orthodontic treatment such as palatal expanders or Invisalign clear aligners may be recommended to properly align the jaw and teeth, opening up the airway.
Expanders widen the palate, making more room for the tongue and enlarging nasal airflow. Invisalign uses a series of customized, transparent aligners to gradually shift teeth into optimal position over time.
Pediatric Dental Surgery
For severe pediatric sleep apnea, traditional surgical procedures like tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy may be required. We can perform gentle in-office tissue removal. Or we collaborate with highly-skilled ENT surgeons to determine if more invasive surgery is warranted based on your child’s condition. The tonsils and adenoids are completely removed during surgery to eliminate the obstructing tissue.
Our integrative approach combines the optimal mix of therapies to get your child breathing freely and sleeping soundly again.
Your Child’s Smile, Our Specialty
Why Parents Trust 949 Pediatric Dentistry for Sleep Apnea Treatment
When it comes to your child’s care, you deserve the confidence of choosing an exceptional pediatric dentistry team. Here’s how we set ourselves apart:
- Unparalleled Expertise: Our doctors have dedicated years to studying sleep disorders and breathing impairment in children. We stay current on the latest sleep apnea research and clinical advances.
- Customized Care: We tailor treatment to your child’s unique sleep apnea causes and needs, integrating both dental and medical therapies for the best outcome.
- Cutting-Edge Technology: From oral appliances to laser dentistry, we offer the most advanced sleep apnea treatments available. Our high-tech tools and techniques are safe, effective and minimally invasive.
- Coordinated Care: We work hand-in-hand with your child’s pediatrician, ENT specialists, sleep labs and other healthcare providers for comprehensive treatment.
- Family-Focused: Our caring, kid-friendly team understands that involving the entire family is key. We provide guidance and support so you can help your child build long-term healthy sleep habits at home.
Let Your Child Sleep Better Tonight
Don’t let another restless night go by. If your child suffers from loud snoring, breathing troubles or constant fatigue, their sleep apnea could be treated. Contact 949 Pediatric Dentistry today to schedule a comprehensive sleep evaluation.
Our experienced doctors utilize the most advanced therapies and tailor treatment specifically to your child’s needs. We’ll help your child sleep soundly and wake up ready to embrace each day. The rest they’ve been dreaming of is within reach.