Sparkling White Dental’s Role in Sleep and Breathing Issues
Poor sleep and breathing issues can significantly impact our lives. It can lead to chronic fatigue, reduced cognitive function, and various health problems.
At Sparkling White Dental, we value the role that we can play in timely intervention during childhood and adolescence. Through early diagnosis and treatment of sleep and breathing disorders, we can potentially prevent a lifetime of complications. Our preventative approach to treating paediatric sleep apnoea and childhood sleep breathing disorders means your child can grow up enjoying uninterrupted, healthy sleep and avoiding the issues that can persist into adulthood.
Sleep and breathing disorders in children can significantly impact their overall health and development. Common disorders include:
Early detection and treatment are imperative. Untreated sleep disorders can result in difficulties with attention, learning, and behaviour, as well as increased risks of cardiovascular problems and metabolic issues later in life.
At Sparkling White Dental, we provide sleep disorder screening for kids and sleep disorder diagnosis for kids to ensure these conditions are addressed promptly and effectively. Diagnosis of sleep-disordered breathing involves a comprehensive approach and includes clinical examinations both inside and outside the mouth, sleep studies, and oximetry.
Our airway-focused health approach focuses on identifying and managing airway obstructions that may contribute to sleep and breathing disorders. Essentially, the human mouth is designed for eating, while the nose is for breathing. Nasal breathing is critical for the normal development of the airway. When a child breathes through the nose with closed lips and the tongue resting against the palate, the tongue acts as scaffolding, supporting the proper sideways growth of the upper jaw, leading to a wider airway.
A well-developed upper jaw guides the lower jaw to grow in a form that is both aesthetically pleasing and functionally important.
Mouth breathing is a common issue that can affect both children and adults, leading to various health problems such as dry mouth, increased risk of tooth decay, and poor sleep quality. At Sparkling White Dental, we can diagnose and treat mouth breathing, also helping to improve nasal breathing and overall respiratory health.
At Sparkling White Dental, we are dedicated to providing comprehensive care for sleep and breathing disorders. Our goal is to ensure that every child receives the early intervention they need to enjoy a lifetime of healthy, restful sleep. Our services include:
Paediatric sleep apnoea treatment at Sparkling White Dental involves a combination of therapies designed to open the airway and improve breathing during sleep. Treatment options may include:
A procedure to address restricted tongue movement, which can contribute to sleep and breathing disorders. By releasing the tongue-tie early, we help children develop proper oral and airway functions.
Using orthodontic appliances to widen the upper jaw, improving nasal airflow and creating more space for proper tongue positioning, which can enhance breathing during sleep.
Evaluating the size and health of adenoids and tonsils to determine if their removal is necessary to eliminate airway obstructions that contribute to sleep apnoea and other breathing issues.
Exercises designed to strengthen the tongue and orofacial muscles, promoting proper breathing and swallowing patterns, which can reduce snoring and improve sleep quality.
Guidance on lifestyle changes and sleep hygiene practices that support healthy breathing, such as maintaining a smoke-free home, using air purifiers, and establishing a consistent bedtime routine.
Creating specially designed devices that help keep the airway open during sleep, such as mandibular advancement devices, which reposition the jaw to prevent airway collapse.
By addressing these issues early, we can help children develop healthy breathing patterns and sleep habits, improving their quality of life and reducing the likelihood of long-term health problems.
Our childhood sleep breathing disorders treatment aims to address the root causes of breathing difficulties during sleep. This may involve correcting dental or skeletal abnormalities, identifying potentially underlying causes of breathing difficulties such as allergies or asthma, and educating families on healthy sleep practices. By tackling these issues early, we can help children achieve better sleep quality. Educating both children and their families on healthy sleep practices is an important aspect of our approach. Particularly, maintaining a regular sleep schedule, creating a conducive sleep environment, and understanding the impact of diet and lifestyle on sleep quality.
Behavioural and lifestyle interventions, such as encouraging nasal breathing, promoting good oral hygiene, and suggesting exercises that strengthen the muscles involved in breathing, are also integral to our treatment.
If you have concerns about your child’s sleep and breathing, our team may be able to help. The Sparkling White Dental team is here to provide the care and support your family needs to ensure a lifetime of healthy, restful sleep.
Schedule a consultation with us today to explore your options.
