Reviewed by Dr. Paul Rubin, DDS
Reading time: three minutes.
Obstructive sleep apnea in children is often overlooked, but it can affect growth, behavior, dental health and overall health.
If your child snores, has trouble sleeping or seems overly tired during the day, it might be time to investigate. This guide will help you recognize the signs and take action.
Table of Contents
- What Is Sleep Apnea in Children?
- Does My Child Have Sleep Apnea? Take This Quiz
- Why Sleep Apnea in Kids Is a Big Deal
- Next Steps: What to Do If You Suspect Sleep Apnea
- Supporting Your Child’s Sleep and Oral Health
- Does My Child Have Sleep Apnea? Take This Quiz
- Why Sleep Apnea in Kids Is a Big Deal
- Next Steps: What to Do If You Suspect Sleep Apnea
- Supporting Your Child’s Sleep and Oral Health
Key Takeaway
If your child snores, has trouble breathing during sleep, or experiences daytime fatigue and behavioral issues, they may have pediatric sleep apnea. This condition can also impact dental health, leading to mouth breathing, teeth grinding, and improper jaw development. Early evaluation by a pediatric dentist and doctor can help protect both their sleep and smile.
What Is Sleep Apnea in Children?
Pediatric sleep apnea occurs when a child’s upper airway becomes blocked during sleep, causing pauses in breathing.
These breathing interruptions can happen multiple times per night, leading to poor sleep quality, restless sleep, and other health concerns.
Common causes include enlarged tonsils, nasal congestion, and structural issues in the jaw.
Does My Child Have Sleep Apnea? Take This Quiz
Answer the following questions to see if your child might have obstructive sleep apnea:
- Does your child snore loudly at least three nights a week?
- Have you noticed gasping, choking, or pauses in breathing during sleep, which are key signs of sleep apnea?
- Does your child breathe through their mouth instead of their nose, even when awake?
- Do they grind their teeth at night?
- Have they been diagnosed with ADHD or struggle with focus at school?
- Are they frequently tired during the day or struggling with daytime symptoms like trouble waking up, mood swings, or difficulty focusing?
- Do they complain of morning headaches or dry mouth after sleeping?
- Have you noticed bedwetting past the typical age?
- Have you seen signs of slow growth or difficulty gaining weight?
- Does your child have frequent colds, allergies, or sinus issues?
If you answered “yes” to several of these questions, your child may have sleep apnea. A professional evaluation is recommended.
Why Sleep Apnea in Kids Is a Big Deal
Ignoring childhood sleep apnea can lead to serious long-term effects and can also significantly impact dental development and oral health:
- Dental and jaw development problems: Mouth breathing and improper tongue posture caused by sleep apnea can lead to narrow dental arches, misaligned teeth, and an increased risk of orthodontic issues.
- Tooth grinding (bruxism): Many children with sleep apnea grind their teeth at night, which can wear down enamel, cause jaw pain, and contribute to TMJ disorders.
- Increased risk of cavities and gum disease: Mouth breathing due to sleep apnea reduces saliva flow, leading to dry mouth, higher cavity risk, and potential gum inflammation.
- Behavioral issues: Sleep deprivation can mimic ADHD symptoms, leading to difficulty focusing, mood swings, and hyperactivity.
- Poor school performance: Lack of restful sleep affects memory, learning, and brain function, making it harder for kids to concentrate in class.
- Slow growth: Interrupted sleep impacts hormone production, which is essential for healthy development, including proper jaw and facial growth.
Next Steps: What to Do If You Suspect Sleep Apnea
If your child shows signs of sleep apnea, a collaborative approach between a pediatric dentist and a pediatrician is key to diagnosis and treatment. Here’s what to do:
- Schedule evaluations with both a pediatric dentist and a doctor: A pediatric dentist can assess jaw development, airway structure, and signs of mouth breathing or teeth grinding, while a doctor can evaluate nasal passages, tonsils, and overall sleep health.
- Consider a sleep study: If needed, a sleep specialist may recommend a sleep study to monitor breathing patterns, heart rate, and brain activity during sleep.
- Explore treatment options: Depending on the cause, treatment may include:
- Removing enlarged tonsils or adenoids
- Orthodontic treatment to improve jaw alignment and airway space
- Using a CPAP machine in severe cases
- Addressing allergies or chronic nasal congestion to improve breathing
By working together, your child’s healthcare team can create a personalized plan to improve their sleep and overall health.
Supporting Your Child’s Sleep and Oral Health
Sleep apnea isn’t just about snoring—it can affect your child’s health, behavior, and dental development. If you’ve noticed signs of sleep apnea, early evaluation is key.
At Lonestar Kid’s Dentistry, we work alongside pediatricians to assess airway health, identify risk factors, and provide treatment options tailored to your child’s needs. Regular dental checkups from an early age can help us to monitor tooth and jaw development.
To book an appointment at our pediatric dental office in Frisco, call (214) 618-5200 or visit us at 6801 Warren Parkway, Ste 115, Frisco, TX.
📍Other locations
Lonestar Kid’s Dentistry in McKinney, TX
Lonestar Kid’s Dentistry in Prosper, TXWhat Is Sleep Apnea in Children?
Pediatric sleep apnea occurs when a child’s upper airway becomes blocked during sleep, causing pauses in breathing.
These breathing interruptions can happen multiple times per night, leading to poor sleep quality, restless sleep, and other health concerns.
Common causes include enlarged tonsils, nasal congestion, and structural issues in the jaw.
Does My Child Have Sleep Apnea? Take This Quiz
Answer the following questions to see if your child might have obstructive sleep apnea:
- Does your child snore loudly at least three nights a week?
- Have you noticed gasping, choking, or pauses in breathing during sleep, which are key signs of sleep apnea?
- Does your child breathe through their mouth instead of their nose, even when awake?
- Do they grind their teeth at night?
- Have they been diagnosed with ADHD or struggle with focus at school?
- Are they frequently tired during the day or struggling with daytime symptoms like trouble waking up, mood swings, or difficulty focusing?
- Do they complain of morning headaches or dry mouth after sleeping?
- Have you noticed bedwetting past the typical age?
- Have you seen signs of slow growth or difficulty gaining weight?
- Does your child have frequent colds, allergies, or sinus issues?
If you answered “yes” to several of these questions, your child may have sleep apnea. A professional evaluation is recommended.
Why Sleep Apnea in Kids Is a Big Deal
Ignoring childhood sleep apnea can lead to serious long-term effects and can also significantly impact dental development and oral health:
- Dental and jaw development problems: Mouth breathing and improper tongue posture caused by sleep apnea can lead to narrow dental arches, misaligned teeth, and an increased risk of orthodontic issues.
- Tooth grinding (bruxism): Many children with sleep apnea grind their teeth at night, which can wear down enamel, cause jaw pain, and contribute to TMJ disorders.
- Increased risk of cavities and gum disease: Mouth breathing due to sleep apnea reduces saliva flow, leading to dry mouth, higher cavity risk, and potential gum inflammation.
- Behavioral issues: Sleep deprivation can mimic ADHD symptoms, leading to difficulty focusing, mood swings, and hyperactivity.
- Poor school performance: Lack of restful sleep affects memory, learning, and brain function, making it harder for kids to concentrate in class.
- Slow growth: Interrupted sleep impacts hormone production, which is essential for healthy development, including proper jaw and facial growth.
Next Steps: What to Do If You Suspect Sleep Apnea
If your child shows signs of sleep apnea, a collaborative approach between a pediatric dentist and a pediatrician is key to diagnosis and treatment. Here’s what to do:
- Schedule evaluations with both a pediatric dentist and a doctor: A pediatric dentist can assess jaw development, airway structure, and signs of mouth breathing or teeth grinding, while a doctor can evaluate nasal passages, tonsils, and overall sleep health.
- Consider a sleep study: If needed, a sleep specialist may recommend a sleep study to monitor breathing patterns, heart rate, and brain activity during sleep.
- Explore treatment options: Depending on the cause, treatment may include:
- Removing enlarged tonsils or adenoids
- Orthodontic treatment to improve jaw alignment and airway space
- Using a CPAP machine in severe cases
- Addressing allergies or chronic nasal congestion to improve breathing
By working together, your child’s healthcare team can create a personalized plan to improve their sleep and overall health.
Supporting Your Child’s Sleep and Oral Health
Sleep apnea isn’t just about snoring—it can affect your child’s health, behavior, and dental development. If you’ve noticed signs of sleep apnea, early evaluation is key.
At Lonestar Kid’s Dentistry, we work alongside pediatricians to assess airway health, identify risk factors, and provide treatment options tailored to your child’s needs. Regular dental checkups from an early age can help us to monitor tooth and jaw development.
To book an appointment at our pediatric dental office in Frisco, call (214) 618-5200 or visit us at 6801 Warren Parkway, Ste 115, Frisco, TX.
📍Other locations