Sleep Disordered Breathing in Children – Rexburg, ID

How Does SDB Develop in Children?

When your child is asleep, SDB and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can occur when the tissues found in the throat collapse and cause a blockage preventing air from flowing freely through the upper airway and nasal passage. As a result, your child’s sleep may be frequently interrupted, and the oxygen in their blood may decrease.

Why this happens can be attributed to numerous causes, including:

• Obesity or being overweight
• Down syndrome or Pierre-Robin syndrome
• Underdevelopment of the jaw or teeth
• Enlarged adenoids or tonsils

Symptoms of SDB

Although some signs of SDB are easily mistaken for other conditions like Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), it’s necessary that you be mindful of the following symptoms, as they can cause your child to develop SDB or OSA:

• Bedwetting
• Behavioral or social issues at home or school
• Extreme fatigue during the day
• Increased irritability
• Chronic snoring
• Mouth breathing
• Interrupted sleep due to ceased breathing
• Gasping for air while sleeping
• Morning headaches
• Sleepwalking or night terrors
• Difficulty learning new information

How is SDB Diagnosed?

The first step in diagnosing SDB in your child is to schedule a consultation with their medical physician. After answering a series of questions about your child’s health history and current symptoms, it may be necessary for your little one to undergo a sleep study. This will allow a sleep expert or physician to analyze data accumulated while your child sleeps that looks at their breathing patterns, oxygen levels, blood pressure, and heart rate.

Once the information is collected and reviewed, a formal diagnosis will be provided to you and your child. It is at this time that our team at Cornerstone Family Dental can step in to assist in providing the necessary treatment.

Effective Treatment for Children with SDB

Knowing how to treat SDB will be based on what is causing it in the first place. If your child’s inability to breathe and sleep at night is the result of improper development of the jaw and/or teeth, the HealthyStart program is a great way to help them start getting the rest they need while addressing what can become serious oral development issues. With the help of a custom-made orthodontic appliance, your child can adapt quickly to wearing the device at night while sleeping.

Not only can it cease non-nutritive habits like thumb sucking, but it can also help correct jaw development and positioning to ensure air flows freely when your child is asleep.

If you are unsure if your dental insurance company will cover the cost of treatment, don’t be afraid to talk to a member of our team who will be happy to help. Not only will we file any necessary paperwork and claims on your behalf, but we’ll also provide alternative payment methods to help with any out-of-pocket expenses.