Sleep Apnea Treatment For Children

Is Your Child:

• Sleeping with their mouth open or snoring all night?
• Wetting the bed – not just once, but multiple times a night?
• Dealing with chronic allergies or even mild asthma?
• Not sleeping through the night?
• Getting in trouble at school for behavioural issues or struggling to focus?
• Constantly feeling sleepy during the day?

Often, the root cause of these issues is simpler than you might think: they’re not able to breathe properly while they’re sleeping (or even during the day). 

There’s nothing tougher than watching your child struggle, but you’re not alone and we can help. With a passion for treating sleep apnea and the experience and training to do it well, Dr. Bangs can help your child get the rest they need.

What Is Pediatric Sleep Apnea?

It’s a condition where your child’s airway is obstructed while they’re sleeping, interrupting their breathing throughout the night and stopping them from getting deep rest.

Some Causes Of Sleep Apnea In Kids

1. Maxillary hypoplasia: this is when your child’s upper jaw hasn’t developed properly to leave enough space for their tongue, leading to it blocking their airway when they sleep.
2. Mandibular retrognathia: this is when your child’s lower jaw is set too far back, closing off their airway.
3. Your Tongue Position: your child’s tongue might be tied or might be resting in a position that blocks their airway.
4. Or all of the above

Signs Your Child Might Have Sleep Apnea

• Loud snoring (coupled with pauses or gasps)
• Restlessness and sleeping in unusual positions (e.g. with their head thrown back)
• Mouth breathing
• Bedwetting (especially when it’s constant or no longer age-appropriate)
• Daytime sleepiness or hyperactivity
• Concentration or memory difficulties
• Irritability and behavioral issues

Why Early Diagnosis Matters

If left untreated, sleep apnea can have serious long-term consequences for your child. They could face:

• Developmental delays, which could hold them back from progressing with their peers
• Behavioral problems (these usually show up as ADHD-like symptoms), which could get them into trouble at school
• Cardiovascular issues, which could give them life-long health problems
• Poor academic performance, which could jeopardize their future
• Growth problems or even developing asthma because their airway is too small

How We Can Help

When you visit us for the initial consultation, Dr. Bangs will walk you through:

• A preliminary health questionnaire
• A gentle exam of your child’s head and neck
• A CBCT scan and some intraoral photos & measurements
• An in-home sleep test (this is an overnight test to monitor their sleep)

What Treatment Looks Like

In your sleep consultation, Dr. Bangs will walk you through all your options. It’s your child’s mouth, it’s your child’s sleep, so you’ll work together to find the best way to move forward.

We can also work with your child’s pediatrician or a specialist if needed, to make sure your child is getting the most comprehensive care available.

Mostly, treatment involves a combination of the following:

Oral Appliance Therapy

Oral appliances are essentially custom-fitted mouthguards that your child will wear at night while they sleep. They gently reposition your child’s jaw to keep their airway open so they can breathe easily and sleep peacefully all night long. 

The benefits:

• They’re less invasive than surgery
• They’re far more comfortable for your child to sleep with than a bulky CPAP machine mask
• They can easily be swapped out as your child grows
• They’re easy for your child to put in or remove on their own

Breathing Education

Dr. Bangs will guide your child on proper breathing habits, tongue position and posture, and more. 

What You Can Look Forward To After Treatment

When kids get the help they need to breathe better at night, the results can be life-changing. Dr. Bangs has seen kids stop wetting the bed. She’s had parents tell her that teachers have even reached out, asking what they’ve done differently medication-wise because their child’s behavior has improved – and the answer is, “We didn’t do anything… We helped them sleep at night”.

Give Your Child The Lifelong Rest They Deserve

If you suspect your child may have sleep apnea, don’t wait for the symptoms to get worse. Schedule a consultation with our friendly team in Arlington today and make sure your child gets the peaceful rest they need.