What Are the Symptoms of Sleep-Disordered Breathing in Children?

As a parent, you want to provide the best for your child’s growth and development. Although you may be concentrating on your child’s nutrition, playtime, and education, sleep is another critical factor that is usually overlooked. Sleep is essential to a child’s growth and development; however, many children present with sleep-related disorders that may affect their overall health. One of the most significant disorders that is underdiagnosed is called sleep-disordered breathing (SDB).  

In this blog, we will discuss the signs and symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing in children and how early intervention can significantly improve your child’s condition. If your child is having issues sleeping or exhibiting troublesome behaviors, it may be due to airway health. We will discuss how SDB can affect your child and what you can do about it from a medical standpoint.

What Is Sleep-Disordered Breathing (SDB)?

Sleep-disordered breathing refers to any disruption in the regular breathing pattern during sleep. This may range from mild snoring to more serious conditions, such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), in which the airway is partially or completely blocked. SDB is a condition caused by airway narrowing, making it difficult for the child to breathe during sleep.

Children who cannot breathe during sleep are deprived of deep, restful sleep, which their bodies need to flourish. This has adverse effects on their physical, emotional, and cognitive development. Unfortunately, most parents do not realize that poor sleep can result from breathing problems that may begin subtly.

Before you consider a sleep-disordered breathing treatment in Charlotte, NC, it’s crucial to understand the symptoms. 

Symptoms of Sleep-Disordered Breathing in Children

Sleep-disordered breathing is also a disorder that can remain undiagnosed for years because the signs are easy to overlook. These are some common symptoms that could suggest sleep-disordered breathing in children:

• Frequent Sleeplessness or Bedwetting: Insufficient sleep may lead to frequent awakenings in children. Bedwetting is another widespread problem because the body cannot easily enter deeper sleep cycles.
• Snoring or Gasping During Sleep: Noisy snoring, gasping, or choking in sleep might be caused by a blocked airway.
• Mouth Breathing: If your child always breathes through the mouth, especially when asleep, this may indicate blocked airflow.
• Daytime Fatigue or Hyperactivity: When children lack sufficient quality sleep, they often feel tired or hyperactive. Ironically, children can turn hyperactive due to a lack of sleep.
• Problem with Focusing or Emotional Control: Sleep deprivation may impair a child’s ability to concentrate at school and regulate their emotions, increasing the likelihood of frustration or irritability.
• Teeth Grinding (Bruxism): Children with sleep-disordered breathing often grind their teeth at night, which may lead to tooth erosion or jaw pain.
• Delayed Growth or Weight Loss: Severe sleep difficulties may disrupt growth hormone levels, resulting in stunted growth or difficulty gaining weight.
• Dark Circles Under the Eyes: These circles are usually caused by insufficient sleep.

When your child experiences any of these symptoms, consider sleep-disordered breathing. When untreated, these problems may deteriorate gradually with more serious health and behavioral concerns emerging.

How Sleep-Disordered Breathing Affects Your Child

When your child has difficulty breathing while asleep, it can lead to insufficient oxygen being delivered to their body. This can affect many different facets of their health, such as:

• Behavioral Issues: As a result of sleep-disordered breathing (sdb), children experience irritability, mood swings, and an inability to concentrate, which closely resembles ADHD or other behavioral problems.
• Cognitive Development: Since sleep supports the formation of memory and the development of the brain, children who experience sleep deprivation as a result of SDB will have a significant effect on the child’s academic performance, ability to concentrate, and learning capabilities.
• Development of Facial & Jaw Structure: A child who has chronic SDB may develop abnormal facial characteristics. For example, a child who sleeps with their mouth open is likely to create an elongated face, a narrowed palate, and misaligned teeth over time.

It is evident from this list that untreated SDB can create long-term consequences for a child by affecting everything from a child’s performance in school to how a child looks.

How We Screen for Airway Issues at Pure Hearts Pediatric Dentistry

At Pure Hearts Pediatric Dentistry in Steele Creek, we focus not only on sleep-disordered breathing treatment in Charlotte, NC, but also on their overall health and well-being. We are trained to assess not only the mouth but also the airway health. We provide gentle airway screenings during regular hygiene visits to help us determine whether there are any issues related to sleep-disordered breathing.

Identifying airway issues early can help your child avoid long-term problems. If we discover any airway issues during our screening, we can refer your child to a specialist for evaluation or provide a solution for the airway concern, such as:

• Myofunctional Therapy: A safe, non-invasive technique that helps to improve tongue and facial muscle function.
• Tongue-Tie Release: We can perform a simple procedure to release the restriction of your child’s tongue and restore proper oral and airway function.
• Palate Expansion: We can help your child with a referral to expand their palate, thereby improving their ability to breathe through their nose.

Our mission is to give your child a healthy, happy, and successful future. We understand there are many obstacles you may face when addressing airway issues, and we will be here to assist you throughout the process.

When to Seek Sleep-Disordered Breathing Treatment in Charlotte, NC

If your child is showing signs of sleep-disordered breathing, don’t wait for the problem to resolve on its own. Early intervention is key. At Pure Hearts Pediatric Dentistry in Steele Creek, we’re here to help your child breathe easier, sleep better, and grow stronger. Contact us today to schedule a comprehensive pediatric dental visit and airway screening.

Take Action for Your Child’s Health

Are you concerned that your child might be experiencing sleep-disordered breathing? Schedule a consultation with Pure Hearts Pediatric Dentistry in Steele Creek. Our team is dedicated to providing a safe and supportive environment for your child’s dental and airway health. Together, we can help your child live a healthier, happier life.

Common Questions Most People Ask

1. What are the typical symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing in children?

The children affected by SDB can have frequent nighttime waking, snoring, mouth breathing, daytime lethargy, and lack of concentration. The early symptoms consist of teeth grinding and speech delay.

2. What is the diagnosis of sleep-disordered breathing among children?

The diagnosis at our office may begin with a dental screening by a pediatric dentist; further evaluation may include a visit to a sleep specialist or an ENT doctor.

3. Will sleep-disordered breathing impact the performance of my child in school?

Yes, sleeplessness caused by SDB can result in lack of concentration, learning, and mood control, and can sometimes resemble symptoms of ADHD.

4. What are the possible treatments of sleep-disordered breathing in children?

With the assistance of myofunctional therapy, tongue-tie release, or palate expansion, it can be treated. In extreme cases, sleep apnea treatment may need to be referred.