Myofunctional Therapy for Sleep Disorders in Children | Tongue Tie India

MOUTH BREATHING AND SLEEP DISORDERS IN
CHILDREN

“Jaw Position & Sleep Quality”

Mouth Breathing,
Sleep Apnea,
Snoring

Sleep is important for the overall emotional, mental, physical, and behavioral well-being of a child. Pediatric sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) refers to the obstructions to breathing like mouth breathing, noisy breathing in infants, snoring, etc. In short, it is the disturbance in regular respiratory patterns & ventilation that a child experiences during sleep.

One of the early signs of SDB is kids’ mouth breathing during sleep, which can slowly progress to snoring in children and sleep apnea. Sleep-disordered breathing symptoms include:

Changing positions often while sleeping
Nasal congestion in the morning
Sleeping with an open mouth
Audible breathing sounds
Loudly snoring in teenagers
Bed-wetting
Learning difficulties
ADHD
Limited attention and concentration
Stunted growth
Hyperactive behaviour
Crankiness even after a full night’s sleep

It can also cause obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which is a condition that sometimes blocks/obstructs the upper airway for 5-10 seconds during sleep. Untreated obstructive sleep apnea can lead to behavioral, neuropsychiatric, and developmental issues in kids. It can also increase the risk of metabolic disorders, cardiovascular disease, and obesity, among others. Ensure to seek assistance from the best mouth-breathing specialist for kids to gain complete knowledge on this topic.

HOW IS SLEEP DISORDERS IN CHILDREN DIAGNOSED?

Paediatric sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is diagnosed based on:

If your child is a restless sleeper or displays any of the above symptoms, then you must consult with a children’s sleep disorder specialist to avail immediate solutions. An airway-focused specialist/dentist will conduct a thorough examination to identify issues causing sleep apnea and breathing problems in your child.

IS YOUR CHILD HABITUALLY MOUTH BREATHING?

Mouth breathing can present in an array of symptom which only get more severe with age hence it is best to identify and correct it as early as possible.

PAEDIATRIC SLEEP-DISORDERED BREATHING (SDB) TREATMENTS

To successfully treat sleep disorders in preschoolers and infants, we follow a multidisciplinary holistic approach.

Once the likely cause of sleep disorder or obstructive sleep apnea is identified, we can treat SDB with:

We aim to treat not only the symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing but also ensure to enhance the child’s overall wellness. Another SDB treatment includes Correction of Tongue Function and Mobility. It can help improve nasal breathing and correct the position & function of the tongue, which can open up the airway passage.

In the case of enlarged tonsils and adenoids causing pediatric SDB, a combination of breath retraining and myofunctional therapy is used. Surgery (tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy) may be recommended only in cases where conservative approaches may not be successful. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is another effective pediatric sleep apnea treatment that must be considered by individuals. Also, if excess weight is causing sleep apnea or breathing problems, pediatric sleep specialists may suggest dietary & lifestyle changes to maintain a healthy weight.

Frequently Asked Questions

CAN SLEEP APNEA AFFECT CHILDREN?

Yes, sleep apnea can affect children. Usually newborn snoring is an early sign of sleep apnea. Hyperactivity, porr attention and concentration are very common signs of sleep apnea in children. But, with timely diagnosis and treatment, sleep apnea in children can be treated effectively.

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF PEDIATRIC SLEEP DISORDERS?

Some of the signs of pediatric sleep disorders may include tossing and turning in sleep, snoring in kids, crankiness, sleeping with an open mouth, ADHD, bedwetting etc. If you notice these symptoms in your child, ensure to seek assistance from pediatric sleep specialists. Dr. Ankita Shah is one of India’s most preferred doctors for diagnosing and providing personalized treatments for sleep disorders in children.

I HAVE SLEEP APNEA. CAN MY CHILD DEVELOP IT TOO?

Yes, having a family history of sleep apnea increases the risk of sleep apnea in your child. If you are worried about sleep apnea affecting your child, then you can seek guidance from Dr. Ankita Shah, a renowned sleep apnea specialist in India. She will help you identify the root cause of your child’s sleep apnea and provide the best solutions for it.