All parents know that a good night’s sleep is crucial for our children’s health and development. Yet we may overlook seemingly harmless sleep disturbances, unaware of how serious they can be.
Signs of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) can range from mild issues like mouth breathing and snoring to more serious problems like pauses in breathing, known as sleep apnea. It is particularly important to recognize and treat SDB as early as possible. Left untreated, it can affect a child’s growth and development, especially during their early years. These consequences can amplify if left unaddressed.
The Telltale Signs
Identifying the signs of SDB is crucial for early intervention. Parents may dismiss symptoms like restless sleep or frequent nightmares as normal childhood sleep disturbances; however, these behaviors could indicate a deeper issue.
SDB in children can manifest through a range of physical and behavioral signs that parents should be aware of. The most noticeable indicators may include:
- Difficulty feeding as an infant.
- Open mouth posture with the tongue sticking out.
- Loud and regular snoring
- Pauses in breathing (apnea)
- Restless sleep with frequent tossing and turning.
- Frequent nightmares or night terrors
- Bedwetting
Physical signs like no spaces between baby teeth and misaligned jaws (narrow, open bite, deep bite, or crossbite), as well as stunted growth, can also point to SDB.
SDB affects sleep, it can also affect a child’s daytime functioning. Daytime signs may include:
- An unusual struggle to wake up in the morning.
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Dark circles under the eyes due to poor sleep quality
- Behavioral problems such as irritability, hyperactivity, and attention deficits
- Poor academic performance and difficulty concentrating
If parents notice any combination of these signs, they should seek a medical evaluation to determine if their child may be suffering from sleep-disordered breathing.
Unraveling the Mystery
Many healthcare professionals work together to determine if a child has SDB. Pediatricians can conduct a clinical evaluation. This may include a review of medical history and a physical exam while focusing on sleep habits and behavior. Questionnaires and home videos can also provide valuable insights into a child’s sleep patterns. In some cases, an overnight sleep study (polysomnography) in a specialized lab may be recommended, to accurately measure breathing and sleep patterns.
Underlying causes of SDB may be identified by dentists, ENTs (ear, nose, and throat doctors), and cranial osteopaths. For example, a dentist may notice that the teeth and jaw are misaligned. An ENT may notice enlarged tonsils. A cranial osteopath may see structural issues with the skull that could affect breathing.
The Path to Wellbeing
Treating SDB can have a profoundly positive impact on a child’s life. Improved sleep quality results in healthy growth and development and enhanced cognitive function. This leads to better attention, memory, academic performance, and improved behavior and mood. Early treatment of SDB in children can also aid in proper growth, particularly in the face and mouth, and better overall physical health. It can even lower the risk of developing serious health issues like heart problems. Addressing SDB early paves the way for a brighter, healthier future for children.
Doctors Lynda and Krystle Dean-Duru are Board Certified Pediatric Dentists with 20 years of experience and a passion for providing dental care to infants, children, teens, and patients with special-healthcare needs at their practice Ashburn Children’s Dentistry, Northern Virginia’s most awarded pediatric dental office. Through utilization of world-class advanced technology and a comprehensive, integrative approach reaching far beyond standard care, they strive to address the root cause of issues as early as possible before they potentially lead to developmental health concerns. Drs. Dean-Duru’s dedication to their profession extends even beyond their practice, as they actively engage in community outreach and education to promote oral-whole body health connection awareness.