Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition that affects adults and children, though pediatric cases of sleep apnea often go undiagnosed. Our O’Fallon dentists have prepared this review of the signs and symptoms of childhood sleep apnea, so that you can readily identify this condition and report it to a dentist if necessary.
Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when a patient experiences blocked breathing as he or she sleeps. Oral tissues fall into the airway and make it difficult for the patient to maintain healthy oxygen levels. Many adult patients snore loudly, wake often during the night, and suffer from headaches.
Pediatric cases of sleep apnea may be harder to identify because children can’t verbalize their symptoms as completely as adults. So be on the lookout for these signs of sleep apnea problems in children…
1. you may get reports from you child’s teacher that your child is acting less motivated or is easily distracted
2. like adult patients, children often wake in the night because of low oxygen levels. If your child is usually a sound sleeper, but begins to suffer from sleep disruptions, sleep apnea may be the culprit.
3. your child may also begin to sleep on his or her stomach, and exhibit abnormal sweating.
Our dental team can help your child get the restful night’s sleep he or she needs with simple sleep apnea treatments. Left untreated, sleep apnea can impact your child’s life—creating chronic fatigue, headaches, focus and motivation problems, as well as neck and muscle discomfort.
We now offer sleep apnea treatments that are simple to use, unobtrusive, and non-invasive. Give our O’Fallon sleep apnea dentist office a call to learn more or to schedule a consultation for yourself or your child. The sooner you seek treatment, the sooner you’ll feel refreshed and rejuvenated after a thorough night’s sleep!