Although some children may grow out of their sleep apnea, the effects of this sleep disorder are
devastating, so getting treatment while it lasts is important. Here’s why your child may not
grow out of their sleep apnea and how treatment can make a difference.

Determine the Cause of Your Child’s Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea could be caused by different things, depending on your child’s specific
circumstances. Some of these causes include being overweight or obese, having cleft palate,
having chronic allergies, enlarged tonsils, or an under-developed respiratory system could all be
at the root of your child’s sleep apnea.

By discovering the cause, you can determine a solution with your child’s sleep specialist. If your
child has enlarged tonsils, they may need to have their tonsils removed, or if they’re
overweight, a weight management program may help alleviate their symptoms. Regardless,
getting treatment is important to stopping your child’s sleep apnea.

How Treatment Alleviates Symptoms

When your child receives the proper treatment for sleep apnea, their symptoms will lessen,
helping them to experience a better quality of life. Symptoms of sleep apnea for children could
include trouble sleeping, long pauses in breathing while sleeping, persistent mouth breathing,
snoring, and behavioral problems such as attention deficit disorder.

Due to its diverse range of symptoms, sleep apnea may be difficult to recognize for some
parents. When the core issue of your child’s sleep apnea is solved, they’ll sleep better at night
and get the rest they need to perform better during the day, therefore helping them overcome
sleep apnea.

Getting a Diagnosis

Getting a diagnosis is the first step in determining whether or not your child has sleep apnea
and then finding out the cause of their sleep apnea. Don’t attempt to diagnose your child’s
sleep apnea or figure out the cause, as it could be more harmful than helpful to them. A sleep
specialist is the best person to diagnose your child’s sleep apnea.

If a specific cause isn’t found for your child’s sleep apnea, an oral appliance may be able to help
your child breathe normally and sleep peacefully at night. Oral appliances are fitted by your
dentist and are more comfortable alternatives to CPAP machines, which can be cumbersome
and frightening for some children. Once a diagnosis is made, you and your child’s doctor can
discuss an appropriate form of treatment that’ll work the best for your child.

Are you seeing symptoms of sleep apnea in your child? If so, consider scheduling an
appointment with their dentist or pediatrician to get a referral to a sleep specialist. A sleep
specialist can diagnose your child’s sleep apnea and work with you to determine the best
solution. Since childhood sleep apnea can lead to a range of unpleasant symptoms, getting
treatment is the best way to help your child feel better!

The post Can Children Grow Out of Their Sleep Apnea? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Mouth breathing, especially while sleeping, is one of the most common signs of SDB. This sign may also be accompanied by snoring during the night and fatigue during the day. Perhaps your child is easily fatigued or frequently breathes through their mouth. These could be indicative of a sleep disorder that’s making your child tired during the day!

Poor Attention Span and Behavioral Issues

Because SDB disrupts your child’s sleep during the night, he or she may be experiencing an inability to focus during the day. Their fatigue combined with a poor attention span could result in behavioral problems that become evident at home or in the classroom. Your child may also perform poorly in school on account of their lack of focus, fatigue, and behavioral issues. These are all signs that could point to SDB.

Poor Sleep Quality

Does your child have trouble sleeping? Poor sleep quality could mean that your child is actually experiencing SDB in which they stop breathing at several points during the night. Signs of poor sleep quality include headaches upon waking in the morning, snoring, and wetting the bed. Even mild snoring could indicate a problem with SDB if your child is exhibiting other signs.

Altered Appearance

If your child’s natural posture includes a forward-leaning head, this could actually be less about poor posture and more about a sleep disorder. Combine this with obesity or venous pooling beneath the eyes and you could be seeing signs of SDB. Venous pooling under the eyes may also be referred to as allergy shiners and may be evidenced by dark circles underneath the eyes. All of these signs mean you should ask your doctor for a referral to a sleep specialist.

How Your Dentist Can Help

Dentists are often the first professionals to see signs of a potential sleep disorder in children. Your dentist can refer you to a sleep specialist if he or she suspects your child may be exhibiting symptoms of SDB. After a diagnosis, your dentist can help provide the treatment that the sleep specialist recommends, including oral appliances that can help keep your child’s airway open while sleeping!

Since SDB can lead to a variety of problems including the signs mentioned above in addition to an increased risk for heart disease and premature death, it’s crucial to be aware of the signs of SDB and visit your dentist regularly for checkups. Talk to your dentist if your child has any signs of SDB. He or she can help you see a sleep specialist to get a proper diagnosis and treatment to improve your child’s sleep and quality of life!

The post Signs Your Child Should Be Evaluated for Sleep-Disordered Breathing (SDB) appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.