At West Arvada Orthodontics, we take your child’s health seriously. That is why we are dedicated to treating pediatric sleep-disordered breathing. Dr. Friedman obtained her master’s degree while performing pioneering research in the dental sleep apnea field. Her breakthrough research was published in 2009 and has been quoted over 50 times in subsequent airway research articles. She has lectured to a dozen different groups on airway and sleep apnea topics.

It is one of Dr. Friedman’s passions to help children breathe better. To learn more, call our office to schedule a consultation.

What Is Kids Sleep-Disordered Breathing?

Kids sleep-disordered breathing is a general term for breathing problems experienced during sleep. When a child’s breathing is disrupted during sleep, the body reacts as though the child is choking. The child’s heart rate increases and blood pressure rises as the child wakes. This can happen frequently throughout the night leading to consistently poor sleep and other associated issues. Your child’s sleep-disordered breathing can range from loud snoring to sleep apnea (temporary cessation of breathing while asleep or resting).

How Is Kids Sleep-Disordered Breathing Treated?

Each case is different, so your child’s treatment will depend on the causes and severity of their sleep-disordered breathing. To alleviate your child’s breathing problems, schedule an appointment with Dr. Friedman. Our orthodontist will perform a thorough examination to get to the root of your child’s issues.

Some cases can be treated with oral appliances that reposition the jaw to promote normal breathing. If needed, your child’s breathing can also be improved by opening the airway via orthopedic treatment. This can help improve a child’s breathing for their entire life, preventing sleep and breathing problems like obstructive sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea is a life-threatening disease where a person is not able to breathe at certain times during the night. The risk of developing this disease increases with some types of jaw discrepancies, age, and weight.

What Are The Symptoms Of Kids Sleep-Disordered Breathing?

Sleep and breathing problems in children are associated with a variety of issues ranging from mild to severe throughout a child’s life. These issues commonly include but are not limited to:

• Snoring: Loud snoring is the most noticeable symptom. Snoring is often interrupted by gasping or snorting noises as your child wakes throughout the night.
• Slow growth: Children suffering from sleep-disordered breathing may not be able to produce growth hormones, causing abnormally slowed growth and development.
• Obesity: Sleep-disordered breathing may cause an increased resistance to insulin and daytime fatigue due to poor sleep. These factors often contribute to obesity in children.
• Cardiovascular Problems: Sleep-disordered breathing and obstructive sleep apnea are associated with increased risk of high blood pressure and other heart issues.
• Learning difficulties: Attention deficit disorders have been linked to sleep-disordered breathing. Children can also become moody and disruptive due to poor sleep, affecting their ability to participate and pay attention in school.
• Bed-wetting: Sleep-disordered breathing can cause increased urine production throughout the night, which can lead to bed-wetting.