How your child breathes is important.

It's important to encourage nasal breathing (breathing through the nose), especially while sleeping, rather than mouth breathing. Breathing through the nose helps the lungs get more oxygen and uses the nose as a filter to block some small particles from reaching the lungs. Ideally, except when you're sick, every breath should be through the nose.

Mouth breathing brings unfiltered, cold, and dry air directly into the lungs. It can also lead to issues with jaw development, crowded teeth, and poor swallowing habits. Additionally, mouth breathing can sometimes cause gum disease or tooth decay due to dry mouth.

Parents should keep an eye on their child's breathing habits during the day and remind them to breathe through their nose. If your child struggles to keep their lips together, it could be due to something like enlarged tonsils and adenoids making it difficult to breathe through the nose. If you think there might be a problem, it's a good idea to talk to your child's pediatrician.

Children's Airways

Why parents should pay attention to their child’s breathing

What signs should parents watch out for?

In addition to mouth breathing, caregivers should also listen for any breathing sounds, like snoring, during sleep. Breathing should ideally be silent and through the nose.

It's a good idea to observe your child's sleep habits and look for any signs that their sleep might be disturbed. Some indicators of sleep-disordered breathing to watch for include:

• Unusual sleep positions
• Bed-wetting
• Sweating
• Teeth grinding
• Frequent awakenings

During the day, your child may also exhibit behavioral signs. Often, children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are actually experiencing poor sleep, and the symptoms can appear similar:

• Daytime drowsiness
• Difficulty concentrating
• Irritability or moodiness
• Fidgeting and hyperactivity

Who do I go to for sleep apnea?

Oxygen is crucial during sleep because it supports proper rest and healing. A lack of oxygen while sleeping can be caused by enlarged tonsils or abnormalities in the orofacial area, which includes teeth, jaw, nasal passages, and more. If you notice any of these issues, it's important to seek treatment.

Most children with sleep disorders find relief after having their tonsils removed. Others might benefit from non-surgical approaches like rapid palatal expansion, functional orthodontics, or orthodontic correction. These methods aim to correct harmful oral postures, enlarging and stabilizing the airway.

While parents often turn to their pediatrician with these symptoms, it's worth noting that a well-trained dentist can also diagnose and treat sleep problems. That’s what we here at Orofacial Pain TMJ & Sleep of Oklahoma do! We specialize in Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (TMJ), as well as sleep disorders. We’re skilled in evaluating and treating issues related to orofacial, dental, skeletal, and airway development.

Recent studies on sleep and TMJ have also highlighted the role of bruxism, which involves clenching or grinding teeth during sleep. This condition can lead to jaw pain, facial muscle discomfort, headaches, and neck pain, and is closely linked to sleep and TMJ disorders.

The sooner a child receives treatment, the better. This is a critical time for facial growth and development. Deep sleep is also necessary for the release of growth hormones; without it, a child's growth could be affected.

Educating yourself about sleep disorders is essential for your child's well-being.

The importance of sleep

A good night's sleep is vital for everyone, especially children. Many children struggle with breathing issues during sleep and parents might not even notice.

It's not just the amount of sleep that matters for your child but the quality of that sleep, as well. Sleep recharges energy and is essential for physical growth and mental development. If your child isn't getting enough quality sleep, it can lead to behavioral problems, impaired brain development, and high blood pressure. That's why it's so important to pay attention to your child's airway and their breathing, both during sleep and while they're awake.

Here are some signs that your child might be experiencing sleep-disordered breathing:

• Snoring
• Constant sleepiness
• Difficulty concentrating at school
• Irritability or crankiness in the mornings
• Finger sucking
• Dark circles under the eyes, often called allergy shiners
• Enlarged tonsils
• Mouth breathing