As pediatric dentists, we are specialists with expertise in the development and growth of children’s mouth and jaw. Many factors can affect a child’s growth trajectory and health. Our office is on a mission to ensure that every child is screened, evaluated, and treated for airway and sleep disorders.

Sleep screening involves evaluating a child for signs of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), such as snoring, mouth breathing, or interrupted sleep, which can affect growth, development, and overall health.

Children with structural airway and respiratory dysfunction often sleep with their mouths open and their heads tilted back. Many are trying to compensate for their anatomical impairments. Our team can help identify sleep issues using facial alignment such as poorly defined cheekbones, crooked teeth, an elongated or narrow face, and set-back jaw.

Red flag symptoms include:

● Snoring or audible breathing
● Pauses in breathing
● Gasping for air
● Mouth breathing/open mouth partway
● Restless sleep/tosses and turns
● Multiple awakenings
● Late-stage bedwetting
● Teeth grinding
● Difficulty awakening and daytime sleepiness
● Poor concentration, ADHD diagnosis
● Fatigue and Irritability even after getting plenty of rest
● Chronic early morning headaches
● Chronic allergies or ear infections
● Constant dry mouth, cracked lips, or sore throat

Undiagnosed sleep and airway disorders can have long-term impacts on emotional, mental, and oral health. Could your child be suffering from undiagnosed sleep disordered breathing? Speak to one of our doctors at your next visit!

Our pediatric dentists and orthodontists offer integrated oral health care to diagnose and help treat this multidisciplinary problem, all under the same roof. In some cases, using an orthodontic palatal expander can help expand the upper jaw and the floor of the nose to help foster and promote nose breathing!

To learn more about sleep screening at Alameda Pediatric Dentistry, please contact us at (510) 521-5437. We look forward to hearing from you!