The phrase “sleep like a baby” is common parlance for obtaining a night of deep, uninterrupted sleep. So, for many parents, finding out that their child suffers from poor sleep is surprising. A variety of factors could lead to sleep disorders in children and without treatment, this could impact their growth and development. To help families in Livonia, MI, our team offers orthotropic treatment.
What Causes Poor Breathing?
Issues with the growth and formation of oral tissues and the jaw could cause breathing to be obstructed during the night. Children may “sleep” through the night, but never reach the REM stage, feeling unrested during the day. These same issues also impact dental alignment, facial structure, and could increase the risk of sleep apnea later in life. Fortunately, we can help children, often as young as age three, maintain open airways throughout the night.
The Impacts of a Childhood Sleep Disorders
Breathing obstruction and sleep disordered breathing may leave your child feeling exhausted during the day, more likely to doze or have trouble staying awake. Others may experience moodiness and difficulty concentrating on work at school. Still others have emotional outbursts or even tantrums, and may be diagnosed as having ADD or ADHD. The lack of sleep could mean missing emotional milestones and falling behind in school.
You should watch for these common daytime difficulties, as well as issues with sleep. Children with obstructed breathing could snore, choke or gasp during sleep, wake up frequently, have trouble falling asleep and issues waking up in the morning. Kids could also experience night terrors, nightmares, sleeping talking or walking, and become emotional at bedtime. If one of more of the potential warning signs we’ve described sound familiar, then consider scheduling a diagnosis today.
Treatment with a Custom Oral Appliance
How does orthotropic treatment work? Well, we will thoroughly examine your child’s oral structures and jaw to identify the cause of poor sleep. We will then design and craft a custom-made oral appliance to be worn at night. The device repositions the jaw to keep airways open in the short-term, but in the long-term the device actually alters the growth and development of the jaw and oral structures in positive ways. As a result, kids enjoy better dental alignment, improved facial structure, and a limited risk of sleep apnea in their teen and adult years.
HELP YOUR LITTLE ONE SLEEP EASIER
Poor sleep could translate into difficulties at home and school. To find out how to help your child rest easier, then please contact our team today. James Stewart, DDS, and our team serve patients from Farmington Hills, Farmington, Plymouth, MI and the surrounding communities. To schedule a consultation, call our office today at (734) 425-4400.