Many children in the United States are having trouble breathing at night. When airways are obstructed, they may not be receiving the proper rest they need, even if it seems like they’re sleeping great. In today’s blog, we’re discussing when our Livonia, MI, patients should talk to us about orthotopic treatment and how addressing these breathing issues could impact child behavior.
The Impact of Breathing Issues
When children have trouble breathing at night, you may notice they tend to snore or breathe through the mouth. Without proper rest, children may be mistakenly diagnosed as having ADD or ADHD due to behavioral difficulties. They may fall behind in school and have issues at home, especially around bedtime or first thing in the morning. Signs you may need to see us include:
- Sleepwalking
- Crying out or yelling in sleep
- Waking up frequently
- Irritability before bed
- Nightmares and night terrors
- Drowsiness in the day
- Difficulty concentrating on tasks or following directions
What Causes Them?
The issue is usually tied to the development of the smile. As children grow, so do their oral tissues and jaw. Issues with development, including misalignment or oral tissues blocking airflow, make breathing during sleep problematic. As they grow older, these same issues increase the risk of obstructive sleep apnea, a serious disorder linked to high blood pressure, depression, stroke, and heart attack in untreated adults.
Orthotropic Treatment Options
In order to help children as young as age three, we may suggest orthotropic treatment. We will examine your child to assess the cause and severity of their breathing issues. From there, we provide a custom oral appliance, which will be worn at night. The device guides the development and growth of oral tissues, improving the ability to breathe and protecting them from serious issues down the road.
Does Your Child Need a Diagnosis?
We’re ready to perform an exam and see if your child benefits from orthotropic treatment! James Stewart, DDS, and our team serve patients from Livonia, MI, as well as Farmington Hills, Farmington, Plymouth, Northville, Novi, Dearborn Heights, Dearborn, Garden City, Westland, Redford, and the surrounding communities. To schedule a consultation, call our office today at (734) 425-4400.