Pediatric Sleep Apnea Treatment In Valencia, CA

Helping Children Sleep Better In Valencia

If your child snores, breathes through their mouth at night or seems unusually restless while sleeping, it may be worth taking a closer look at their breathing. Sleep apnea can affect children in ways that are not always easy to recognize, and signs may show up during the day as well as at night. Because the development of your child’s mouth, jaw and airway can play a role in how they breathe while sleeping, we can look for potential concerns during your child’s dental visits and recommend next steps for pediatric sleep apnea treatment when appropriate.

Young child sleeping with mouth open, representing signs of pediatric sleep apnea and sleep-disordered breathing in valencia, ca.

How Valencia Smiles Can Help Your Child Sleep

Dentists are often the first to see things in your child’s mouth that may be contributing to their sleep problems. Dentists play a key role in early intervention by understanding how the structures of the jaw and mouth can also lead to sleep-disordered breathing in children. By evaluating the child’s upper airway and breathing patterns, we can determine your child’s risk and make a referral for proper diagnosis if necessary.

Restful sleep is crucial for the good health and wellbeing of your child. If you have questions about or suspect your child may have sleep apnea, we encourage you to contact our office or request an appointment for pediatric sleep apnea treatment! This way, we can help assess and determine the best next steps for your child.

Signs Your Child May Have Sleep-Disordered Breathing

There are many signs and symptoms that may indicate that your child is struggling with breathing issues while they sleep and may benefit from pediatric sleep apnea treatment.

Some of these include:

  • Snoring
  • Night sweats
  • Sleep talking
  • Sleepwalking
  • Bedwetting
  • Coughing or choking while sleeping
  • Daytime sleepiness
  • Difficulty controlling emotions
  • Headaches in the morning
  • Waking up with a sore throat or dry mouth
  • Restlessness
  • Behavioral problems like hyperactivity, impulsiveness and rebelliousness
  • ADHD

Pediatric Sleep Apnea Treatment

At Valencia Smiles Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry, our goal is to help your child with their sleep apnea as much as we can. Our team will recommend personalized pediatric sleep apnea treatment for your child depending on the cause and symptoms of their sleep issues. Some of the most common treatments include:

Surgery

If your child’s case of sleep apnea is caused by enlarged tonsils and adenoids, they may need to have surgery to open up their airways.

Myofunctional Therapy

Myofunctional therapy uses mouth and throat exercises to improve symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea and snoring in children. Your child’s tongue and mouth may have muscle weakness that contributes to their condition, but myofunctional therapy works to strengthen those muscles. Therapy includes specific exercises to strengthen the muscles, which can help open your child’s airways. The exercises can be done at home, which makes this an excellent, non-invasive pediatric sleep apnea treatment option.

Orthodontic Treatment

Orthodontic treatment uses maxillary expansion and mandibular advancement devices to create more space in the mouth. These devices include a palate expander, which expands the palate of your child’s mouth, or Invisalign® First, a clear aligner system that can also expand your child’s palate. These pediatric sleep apnea treatment devices improve the flow of air through your child’s airway.

Allergy Treatment

Treating any allergies your child may have can help with your child’s condition. Allergies and sinus inflammation can cause airways to constrict, which can also cause poor tongue posture. Treatment can include allergy/antihistamine medication, allergy shots for more severe cases, using a humidifier at night, and avoiding allergens, such as cigarette smoke.

CPAP

If necessary, your child may use a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine. This is usually only used in severe obstructive sleep apnea cases in children that has not been helped by other treatment methods. However, it can be a difficult adjustment for children and may require behavioral support.

No Treatment

If your child is only experiencing very mild symptoms, we may recommend monitoring them over time. Without administering pediatric sleep apnea treatment, mild symptoms may resolve with time.

Pediatric Sleep Apnea Treatment FAQs

If you have concerns about your child’s sleep, you may not know whether their symptoms are something to watch at home or a reason to seek professional care. We are here to help you understand what may be affecting your child’s sleep and determine the appropriate next steps for their care.

Does Snoring Always Mean My Child Has Sleep Apnea?

Not necessarily. Occasional snoring can happen for many reasons, including congestion or illness. However, frequent or loud snoring, especially when combined with other signs of sleep-disordered breathing, may be worth discussing with your child’s dentist or healthcare provider.

Start by scheduling an appointment with your child’s pediatric dentist and sharing what you have noticed at home. We can look for signs that may indicate sleep-disordered breathing and help determine whether your child would benefit from further evaluation, pediatric sleep apnea treatment or a referral to another provider.

A sleep study may be recommended when further evaluation is needed to determine whether your child has sleep apnea. Because every child is different, our team can help you understand whether a referral for additional testing may be appropriate based on your child’s symptoms and evaluation.

Yes, poor or interrupted sleep can affect how a child feels and behaves during the day. Some children may experience daytime sleepiness, difficulty concentrating, mood changes or behavioral concerns. If you have noticed changes in your child’s behavior along with nighttime symptoms, it is worth bringing them up during your child’s appointment.

If your child regularly snores, has trouble breathing while sleeping, wakes frequently, sleeps restlessly or experiences daytime changes that concern you, it is worth talking with a healthcare professional. You know your child best, and you do not have to wait until their symptoms become severe to ask questions about pediatric sleep apnea treatment. We can help you understand what may be contributing to your child’s sleep concerns and what to do next.

One Office for Growing Smiles in Valencia, CA

From a child’s first dental visits to braces, Invisalign® and adult orthodontic treatment, Valencia Smiles Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry is here to support your family through every stage of the smile. Experience personalized pediatric dental and orthodontic care in a comfortable, family-focused office in Valencia, CA.