This article is by Dr Mark Burheene from the Ask A Dentist website
Untreated sleep-disordered breathing in children doesn’t just lead to snoring—it impacts their growth, learning, and long-term health.
The consequences include:
- Learning difficulties: Poor sleep reduces focus, memory, and overall academic performance. Children struggling with this may seem “behind” at school.
- Behavioral struggles: Disrupted sleep can mimic ADHD symptoms—hyperactivity, impulsivity, and difficulty concentrating—leading to misdiagnosis.
- Chronic fatigue: Tired kids don’t always “look tired.” They often act out, have meltdowns, or seem unmotivated during the day.
- Cardiovascular issues: Poor breathing stresses the heart, leading to increased blood pressure—even in children.
- Facial and dental changes: Mouth breathing and sleep-disordered breathing can result in narrow palates, crowded teeth, and changes in facial growth (like long face syndrome).
The good news? Early intervention can prevent these issues and change your child’s future. Here’s where to start:
What Can Parents Do?
Palatal Expansion
- Why it matters: Expanding the upper jaw creates more space for the tongue and airway, improving breathing during sleep. It can also help prevent orthodontic issues like crowded teeth later on.
- What to do: Ask your dentist about early orthodontic options like a palate expander. The earlier, the better—expansion is most effective in younger kids while their jaws are still developing.
Myofunctional Therapy
- Why it matters: Weak tongue and airway muscles contribute to mouth breathing and snoring. Strengthening these muscles trains your child to breathe through their nose naturally, improving sleep and overall health.
- What to do: Look for a myofunctional therapist (or ask your dentist for a referral) to guide your child through simple exercises that retrain oral posture and tongue function.
Treat Enlarged Tonsils and Adenoids
- Why it matters: Enlarged tonsils and adenoids can physically block your child’s airway, making nasal breathing difficult. Removing these obstacles can have an immediate and dramatic impact on sleep.
- What to do: If your child snores, breathes through their mouth, or seems tired during the day, talk to your pediatrician about evaluating their tonsils and adenoids.
Encourage Nasal Breathing
- Why it matters: Nasal breathing supports deep, restful sleep, better oxygenation, and proper jaw development. Mouth breathing, on the other hand, can lead to poor sleep quality, dry mouth, and dental issues like cavities and gum disease.
- What to do: Encourage daytime nasal breathing and consider tools like mouth tape (for older children under supervision) to promote nasal breathing at night.
Sleep Study and Evaluation
- Why it matters: A sleep study can diagnose sleep apnea or other breathing issues, ensuring you get the right treatment for your child.
- What to do: Ask your dentist or pediatrician for a referral to a pediatric sleep specialist or sleep center.
Why Early Intervention Matters
Every parent wants their child to grow, learn, and thrive. Addressing sleep-disordered breathing early gives them the best chance to:
- Stay focused and perform well in school.
- Avoid unnecessary behavioral diagnoses.
- Feel rested, energized, and happier during the day.
- Prevent long-term health issues like high blood pressure and cardiovascular stress.
- Develop healthy teeth, jaws, and facial structure.
If you suspect sleep-disordered breathing in your child—whether it’s snoring, mouth breathing, or bedwetting—don’t wait. Early treatment is effective, and it could change the trajectory of their life.
Resources to Help You Take Action
- The 8-Hour Sleep Paradox: Learn hw sleep impacts your entire body, from teeth to heart health.
- Sleep Wrecked Kids by Sharon Moore: A must-read for parents to understand and advocate for better sleep for their children.
