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Kids Orthodontics Related To Sleep Apnea
Orthodontics are a branch of dentistry commonly associated with the proper positioning of jaws and teeth. Although straight teeth can improve someone’s appearance, there is much more to orthodontics than a pleasing smile. With the aid of a palatal expander ortho can do way more than straighten teeth.
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Interceptive orthodontics focuses more on the treatment of malocclusions which are misalignments of your bite closer to the jaw. In children, it is best to assess this early on as their skeletal development is still in progress. This serves the dual purpose of addressing airway issues due to misaligned jaw structure while also reducing treatment time for second stage ortho when adult teeth fully develop.
In the past, orthodontic treatment did not roughly begin until ages 12 to 14. The American Academy of Orthodontics now says all children should have an orthodontic assessment no later than age 7 due the long-lasting impact on their health.
What are signs of sleep disorder in kids?
Children and Adolescents are best recommended to get 9 hours of sleep a day. Lack of sleep can have a profound affect on children's behavior as it may negatively affect their performance in school, ability to form social relationships, or cause excessive day time drowsiness and irritability.
Some signs to keep an eye on that may indicate a sleep disorder in your child include:
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Snoring
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Trouble falling asleep
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Breathing pauses throughout the night
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Problems staying asleep through the night
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Trouble staying awake during the day
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Sudden decrease in daytime performance
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Bedwetting
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Teeth grinding
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Trouble waking up in the morning
How DO We TReat sleep apnea & snoring?
The dental solution to treating obstructive sleep apnea is to utilize a comfortable, removable oral appliance. Patients diagnosed with sleep apnea may be familiar with traditional C-PAP machines which can sometimes be clunky and uncomfortable for patients to use routinely.
Oral appliances treat sleep apnea by pulling your jaw or tongue forward while you sleep. The purpose of this much smaller oral device is to keep your airway open through the night to avoid pauses or sudden stops in your breathing. Reduced airflow triggers your brain to wake up just enough to keep breathing, so you will also feel better rested upon waking up.
For trouble with snoring (even without a sleep apnea diagnosis) our providers are capable of removing the Palatal Tissue. The removal of this tissue serves both the purpose of stopping your snoring while also preventing the risk of sleep apnea in the future.
If you (or your partner) suffers from either of the above conditions, feel free to schedule your free consultation below or reach out to our team today!​​
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