Sleep Disordered Breathing in Children – Rexburg, ID

Mouth Breathing

You may think that mouth breathing is a funny or harmless quirk that your child will eventually outgrow, but it’s far more serious than that. If your child is breathing through their mouth regularly, it’s likely because they aren’t breathing or swallowing correctly. Unless this is addressed, it can lead to short- and long-term oral health issues. It can even disrupt the development of their facial structures!

Bed Wetting

Bed-wetting before the age of 7 isn’t usually a cause for concern, mainly because your child may still be developing nighttime bladder control. However, you might want to consult their pediatric dentist or doctor if this habit continues after age 7. It’s sometimes an indication of obstructive sleep apnea in children.

Night Terrors

As a parent, you’ve likely had to comfort your child after the occasional nightmare in the past. Well, a night terror is much more disruptive than that. It can cause your little one to become inconsolable, no matter what you try. It’s typically caused by over-arousal in the central nervous system (CNS) during sleep. A night terror is not typically considered a dream, but more so a sudden reaction of fear that happens during the transition from one sleep stage to another.

ADHD/ADD Symptoms

Attention deficit/hyperactive disorder (ADHD) is a chronic condition that affects millions of children. It encompasses a combination of persistent problems, like difficulty paying attention, hyperactivity, and impulsive behavior. If you notice any of the following symptoms, your little one may have ADHD:

• Daydreaming
• Fatigue
• Forgetfulness or trouble concentrating
• Irritability or Behavioral/social issues at home

How the Healthy Start Program Can Help

Think your child may have sleep apnea? Don’t wait – it’s always best to seek treatment sooner rather than later! At Cornerstone Dental, we can address the problems associated with sleep-disordered breathing and help your child enjoy a better overall quality of life. Our team will conduct a detailed oral examination, discuss the issues they’re facing at home, take impressions of their smile, and send them off to a lab for the creation of a custom-made oral device. Not only will this appliance help them rest better, but it can fix their tongue placement, jaw, and teeth alignment! It can even put a stop to any structural changes that occur because of improper breathing.

The Effects of Bed Wetting & Sleep Disordered Breathing

One of the biggest effects of bed wetting in children is a lack of confidence. In fact, it’s not uncommon for those with nocturnal enuresis to experience disrupted social skills, anxiety, and behavioral problems. As for disordered breathing, there are both short-term and long-term effects to consider. In the immediate future, your little one may suffer from things like daytime drowsiness and difficulty concentrating. In the long run, there are other consequences to consider, like frequent illness and damage to their immune system.

Solutions for Bed Wetting from Sleep Apnea in Kids

Fortunately, our team at Cornerstone Dental is here to provide your child with the help they need to breathe soundly throughout the night and prevent the side effects of sleep apnea, such as bet wetting. One solution is VIVOS, which is an oral appliance that is designed to re-establish a normal, healthy airway. In addition to preventing their airway from becoming blocked, this solution will ensure your child’s bite develops properly too. So, if your child is struggling with nocturnal enuresis and you believe that sleep apnea is the culprit, talk to our team about the available solutions!

Why Does My Child Breathe Through their Mouth?

Usually, mouth breathing is the result of a child’s inability to breathe comfortably through their mouth. This can be caused by anatomical issues, such as a deviated septum or other nasal obstructions.

Other possible causes of mouth breathing include:

• Nasal congestion caused by a cold or allergies
• Tongue tie, which causes the mouth to remain open most of the time
• A child has simply developed the habit of mouth breathing

Additional Symptoms of Mouth Breathing

If you have noticed that your child often breathes through their mouth, you are already well on your way to determining if they are a true “mouth breather.” However, other symptoms may also be present. For example, your child might:

• Snort when they cry or laugh
• Snore during sleep
• Breathe loudly
• Grind their teeth

It is also common for mouth breathers to experience an increased risk of dental problems. That is because breathing through the mouth can dry out saliva. In turn, oral bacteria have an opportunity to cling to the teeth and multiply. Cavities, bad breath, and gum infections may result.

Keep in mind as well that there is such a thing as a “partial mouth breather.” Some children can breathe well through their nose when they are awake. However, when they lie down, slight shifts in their orofacial structures might cause mouth breathing to occur.

How We Can Help

If you are concerned about your child’s mouth breathing, bring them in for a visit with our experienced team. After a thorough evaluation, we should be able to determine the cause of the problem. From there, we can recommend an appropriate treatment plan.

For example, if a tongue tie is present, we can perform a simple procedure to free up the tongue. Thereafter, your child might require therapy to learn how to hold their tongue in its proper position and adopt healthier breathing habits. If a narrow jaw is the problem, we may recommend a form of orthodontia to guide the growth of the oral structures.

Whatever course of action we recommend, you can be confident that we will guide your family through every step of the process. Feel free to ask lots of questions. We want you and your child to commit to the treatment with confidence.