Sleep Apnea & Jaw Misalignment In Lafayette, CO

If your child has any difficulties with mouth breathing or chronic snoring, it may be a sign of a deeper breathing issue, such as sleep apnea. Sleep apnea affects millions of people around the world—many of them undiagnosed.

Pediatric sleep apnea is less common than adult sleep, and it is often left undiagnosed and untreated. This can cause permanent developmental issues and sleep issues for your children. If you are worried about their sleep habits or airway health, come to us to get help.

What Is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a condition where the airways near the back of the throat can actually close while sleeping. This narrows the airflow or may even block it completely. Chronic snoring is often the result of nearly-closed airways.

Our brains have a natural response to a closing airway: we wake up so that we can restart breathing. The moments of wakefulness are usually so brief that the sleeper has no idea they ever happened. This can lead to the mistaken impression by the sleeper that they got a full night’s rest.

However, the constant wakefulness will dramatically disturb sleep from a few times a night to as many as hundreds of interruptions. Not only does this keep our bodies from getting the rest they need, but it can lead to tension and stress as well as low oxygen levels, both of which increase the risk of much more severe health issues down the line.

Man snoring
Little girl sleeping

Sleep Apnea In Children

Unfortunately, sleep apnea can have a profound effect on children. During the younger years, plenty of rest and good oxygen flow are absolutely vital to the growth and development of both the body and the brain.

Children who are not getting adequate sleep or oxygen may suffer developmentally in a number of ways. However, the good news is that Boulder County Smiles can help!

The Symptoms Of Pediatric Sleep Apnea

Early treatment of pediatric sleep apnea can often mean easier treatments or less invasive treatments. Look out for some of these symptoms of pediatric sleep apnea in your child:

  • Sudden irritability 
  • Headaches, especially in the morning
  • Hyperactivity or hypoactivity
  • Daytime drowsiness
  • Tendency to get sick often

One of these symptoms may be just part of childhood, but seeing 2 or more symptoms can indicate sleep apnea in your child. Call us today to get started and learn about your treatment options.

Misaligned Jaw Treatment

One of the most common causes of sleep apnea is jaw misalignment. The way the jaw sits while sleeping can pinch the airways shut. This is what causes mouth breathing or snoring. 

A temporary solution for jaw misalignment is to wear a night guard that keeps the jaw in place and therefore allows the airways to sit naturally. However, when children’s teeth and jaws are still developing, they are especially flexible and receptive to orthodontic adjustment that does that permanently instead of just at night.

Orthodontic Solutions

Orthodontic treatment at a young age can not only adjust the jaw alignment to help prevent airway problems, but it will allow the permanent teeth to come in straighter and healthier.

In fact, general orthodontics are extremely effective when employed at these young ages.

Pediatric Mouthguards

Sometimes a mouthguard or oral appliance, such as a HealthyStart® sleep guard can be the best solution for your child’s sleep apnea. Call our office to learn more about our custom airway appliances.

Talk To Us About Jaw Correction and Misaligned Jaw Treatment

Dr. Gordon West and Dr. Andrew Johns, along with their expert staff, provide sleep disorder treatment to patients who come to see them from across the Boulder County area, including Lafayette, Boulder, and Broomfield, CO.

If your child struggles with mouth breathing or suffers from chronic heavy snoring, it may be that they have a breathing disorder, such as sleep apnea. If your child suffers from breathing disorders, the long-term health effects can be quite serious. Talk to us today to get started with a diagnosis and treatment plan.