The majority of people who suffer from sleep apnea have not even heard of the condition, and perhaps as many as 90% of the 12 million or more Americans who have it are undiagnosed. If you suffer from daytime sleepiness, can never seem to get enough sleep, have depression or another mood disorder, or have been diagnosed with cardiovascular conditions like high blood pressure or coronary artery disease, you may have sleep apnea.
Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
Part of the reason why so many sleep apnea sufferers go undiagnosed is that the symptoms may seem to be associated with many different conditions or may be dismissed by people altogether. Symptoms may include:
- Snoring
- Morning headaches
- Dry mouth and throat irritation
- Daytime sleepiness
- Chronic fatigue
- Loss of motivation
- Difficulty concentrating
- Memory problems
- Weight gain or difficulty losing weight
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that causes you to periodically stop breathing while you sleep. This condition can lead to several serious health problems if left untreated. At Lifeworks Dental, Dr. Kini Tran and Dr. Kim Nguyen provide appliances and devices to help treat sleep apnea and allow you to rest better at night. For more information about sleep apnea therapy and to make your appointment with our experienced dentists, please call Lifeworks Dental at (713) 956-5433.
Children and Sleep-Disordered Breathing
Only in the last 20 years has research established the connection between certain common childhood health issues and a single likely root: sleep-disordered breathing (SDB).
The symptoms associated with SDB can vary from one child to the next, but even mild SDB (mouth breathing, crowded teeth, snoring) can point to serious underlying health issues and the need for treatment.
Pediatric sleep disorders impact a child’s behavioral, cognitive, and physical development, with long-term consequences (Bonuck, Parikh, & Bassila, 2006; Montgomery & Dunne, 2007). Children with SDB are 40 to 100 percent more likely to exhibit behavioral and emotional problems, including hyperactivity, anxiety, depression, social issues with peers, and conduct problems, including aggressiveness (Bonuck, 2012). Children with crossbites (misaligned upper and lower teeth) are 3.3 times more likely to suffer from SDB, while children with convex facial profiles (i.e., receding chins) are 2.6 times more likely (Finland Study 2013, published in European Journal of Pediatrics).
The research is clear — SDB is the underlying condition that often gives rise to many childhood health issues.
Children with wide, forward dental arches who breathe through their nose sleep better, and children who sleep better perform better in school, behave better, and experience fewer health issues. Unfortunately, childhood sleep disorders are becoming far more prevalent among our youth, and far too many parents and healthcare providers are unaware of the dire consequences.
Bedwetting and Your Child’s Dental Development: How Are They Connected?
Bedwetting can be caused by a compromised airway, which can lead to sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). Over just the past 20 years, compelling research from around the world has forged important links between SDB and certain childhood health issues that plague as many as 9 out of 10 children.
The Importance of Your Child’s Airway: What Are the Side Effects of a Compromised Airway?
The central issue for many children suffering from the effects of SDB is a compromised airway. When a child’s airway is narrow, underdeveloped, or constricted in any way, the child will struggle to get enough oxygen at night and may resort to mouth breathing. Bringing the upper and lower jaws forward while making them wider can help open up the airway of a growing child.
Dangers of Mouth Breathing: Why Is It a Problem?
Mouth breathing is different from nasal breathing and often leads to further compromises in the airway. Mouth breathing is often cited as a contributing factor in a compromised airway and in patients who require orthodontic treatment. It can also prevent the proper function of the tongue and other orofacial muscles children need to speak, swallow, chew, and function. Mouth breathing can also cause the delicate tissues of the tonsils and adenoids to swell and become enlarged, which can further restrict the airway and thus perpetuate the cycle of needing to mouth breathe.
“We believe elimination of oral breathing, i.e., restoration of nasal breathing during wake and sleep, may be the only valid ‘finish line’ in pediatric sleep-disordered breathing.” – C. Guilleminault, S. Sullivan, 2014 – Stanford University
The Dental Connection
Many young children with SDB have dental arches that are underdeveloped, narrow, and positioned too far back. A normal human profile should have the lips and chin positioned well in front of the eyes with a strong jawline. Unfortunately, in most cases, such growth and development do not happen on their own.
In our modern world of limited breastfeeding and soft, processed foods, far too many of our children are simply not developing fully in their lower facial areas. If allowed to persist during their formative early years, this condition prevents proper growth and development of a child’s airway.
Early Treatment Is Critical
If these abnormal conditions are left untreated in children, by the time they are fully grown, there is little that can be done to correct them.
All too often, teeth become overly crowded and extractions are prescribed, followed by years of braces. Eventually, many of these children will grow into adults with SDB, who may eventually require CPAP machines to obtain the oxygen they need at night — all because their airways were never allowed to fully develop.
By expanding the entire anatomy of the upper and lower jaws, the airway can expand and develop to its full potential. If treatment intervention occurs during a child’s critical growing years, many of the symptoms associated with SDB greatly diminish or simply disappear.
Does your child exhibit any of the symptoms linked to sleep-disordered breathing?
Symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing include:
- Snoring or noisy breathing during sleep
- Mouth breathing during the day or at night
- Pauses in breathing or gasping for air during sleep
- Restless sleep or frequent waking
- Bedwetting beyond the typical age
- Difficulty waking up in the morning
- Daytime sleepiness or fatigue
- Behavioral issues such as hyperactivity, inattention, or aggression
- Poor academic performance
- Difficulty concentrating and memory problems
- Swollen tonsils or adenoids
Treatment for Sleep-Disordered Breathing
At Lifeworks Dental, we understand the importance of early intervention in treating sleep-disordered breathing in children. Our approach focuses on addressing the underlying causes and improving the overall development of your child’s airway. Treatment options may include:
- Orthodontic Appliances: Custom-made oral appliances that help expand the dental arches, reposition the jaw, and open up the airway.
- Myofunctional Therapy: Exercises that strengthen the muscles of the mouth, face, and throat to promote proper nasal breathing and tongue posture.
- Lifestyle and Dietary Changes: Recommendations for a balanced diet, proper hydration, and reducing allergens to improve overall health and support airway development.
- Collaboration with Other Specialists: Coordinating care with pediatricians, ENT specialists, and sleep specialists to ensure comprehensive treatment and management of SDB.
Why Choose Lifeworks Dental for Sleep Conditions?
At Lifeworks Dental, we are committed to providing comprehensive care for sleep conditions in both children and adults. Our experienced team uses the latest techniques and technology to diagnose and treat sleep-disordered breathing effectively. We take a personalized approach to your care, ensuring you receive the best possible treatment tailored to your specific needs.