Santa Cruz and Scotts Valley CA
Usually when we think of sleep apnea — a condition marked by interruptions in breathing during sleep — we think of the loud snoring associated with it and the continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines used to treat it. Rarely do we think about sleep apnea in children. But it exists and can result in poor quality sleep, behavioral issues and impaired growth. Fortunately, our airway dentist in Santa Cruz has been successful at treating cases of pediatric sleep apnea non-invasively. On today’s blog, we’re sharing how.
What is pediatric sleep apnea?
Pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) happens when a child’s airway becomes partially or completely blocked during sleep because of enlarged tonsils or adenoids, obesity or structural abnormalities in the airway.
What are symptoms of OSA in children?
Symptoms of OSA in children include loud snoring, restless sleep, excessive daytime sleepiness, difficulty concentrating and behavioral issues like hyperactivity.
How can dentistry help?
Our pediatric dentist in Scotts Valley can help address and correct your child’s OSA in several ways, including:
Screening
We can often spot signs of OSA — such as enlarged tonsils, a high-arched palate or a narrow airway — during the routine checkups and exams that you schedule with our office every six months.
Orthodontic interventions
Since malocclusion (or misaligned teeth) and structural jaw issues can contribute to sleep apnea, we may recommend orthodontic treatments such as braces and palate expanders. This can improve airway size and function, which will reduce sleep apnea’s severity.
Oral appliance therapy
Our sleep apnea dentist in Santa Cruz often recommends oral appliances to treat mild to moderate cases of childhood OSA. Using digital imagining of your child’s teeth and mouth, we create a soft, comfortable night guard that repositions the lower jaw and tongue to prevent the airway from collapsing.
Myofunctional therapy
Myofunctional therapy is basically physical therapy for the mouth. Exercises strengthen the tongue and orofacial muscles, promoting proper nasal breathing and improving airway stability.
Surgical interventions
When appropriate, our Scotts Valley pediatric airway dentist may recommend surgery with with an Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) specialist to remove the tonsils and adenoids. This can significantly and permanently alleviate airway obstruction in children.
What are the benefits of early intervention?
Dental interventions can significantly improve outcomes for children with OSA. Your child will enjoy more and better sleep, which is necessary for proper physical growth and cognitive development. Better sleep will also improve a child’s behavior and ability to concentrate. This can have a significant impact on academic performance and social interactions. If left untreated, OSA is linked to health problems like cardiovascular issues, obesity, and diabetes, so early intervention can mitigate these risks.
PEDIATRIC SLEEP APNEA TREATMENT IN SCOTTS VALLEY, SANTA CRUZ, AND LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA
Many people are surprised to find out the link between sleep apnea and dentistry. If you are in the Scotts Valley, Santa Cruz and Los Gatos area and have a child who you think may be suffering from OSA, please call Ebrahimian Integrative Dentistry at (831) 824-5111, or reach us online today. We are happy to work with parents to improve children’s overall health and well-being, setting them up for a healthy, happy future.
