Startling Percentage of Children Suffer With Sleep Disorders

(Newswire.net — September 27, 2017) Winnetka, IL — Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB) is known as the silent crisis among America’s children. In fact, research shows that 9 out of 10 children suffer from one or more of the symptoms of Sleep Disordered Breathing, according to the Journal of the American Orthodontic Society, by Brooke Stevens, BS, University of Michigan and Earl O. Bergersen, DDS, MSD

The list of symptoms that children suffer from related to sleep and breathing issues is overwhelming and most unfortunately can be misdiagnosed or left untreated. They include:

• ADD / ADHD
• Bed Wetting
• Difficulty in School (Math, Science Spelling)
• Mouth Breathing and Snoring
• Restless Sleep
• Delayed or Stunted Growth
• Nightmares
• Irritability / Anger
• Morning Headaches
• Chronic Allergies / Eczema / Asthma
• Depression
• Tooth Grinding
• Swollen Adenoids / Tonsils
• Aggressive Behavior
• Daytime Drowsiness
• Peer Problems
• Frequently Wakes up at Night
• Sleep Talking / Walking

In these cases, conventional treatments such as medication, surgery, allergy testing, sleep aids, psychiatric testing are only short-term band aids that address outward symptoms but do not address the root cause of the problem.

Why are so many children being affected by sleep related breathing disorders?

Habits like prolonged pacifier (longer than 6 months), prolonged nipple bottle feeding (beyond 6-8 months), lack of breastfeeding, soft diet and finger sucking can be damaging to a child’s oral health. These habits encourage improper tongue position which guides the developing jaws out of correct alignment. The roof of the mouth is extremely pliable during childhood. Prolonged and repeated thumb and pacifier sucking actually causes the narrowing of the upper arch which not only results in crooked and crowded teeth, but obstructs the airway. Airway obstruction keeps the body from receiving the oxygen it needs. REM sleep is reduced affecting brain function, endocrine and immune systems.

How does a parent know if their child’s airway is obstructed?

Mouth Breathing and Snoring are two of the most common signs that a child is struggling to breathe and can add to the already existing health issues. Mouth breathing with sleeping causes airway constriction and does not improve in 82% of children from ages 2-12.

The natural position for healthy breathing is always inhaling and exhaling through the nose. The nose is designed to naturally filter the air. Mouth breathing and an obstructed airway can result in sleep apena, swollen tonsils and adenoids which can lead to chronic allergies, stunted growth and development and speech issues. The nose warms and moistens inhaled air, traps dust, pollen, bacteria and aids in phonation and quality of the voice.

The first call to action a parent can take?

HealthyStart™ by Ortho-Tain has developed tools, based upon research, that allows a parent to evaluate their child initially with a Healthy Start Self-Assessment and a Healthy Start Sleep Questionnaire which identifies 27 of the most prevalent sleep issues and asks the parent to assign a number from 1 to 5 to indicate the severity of each symptom. 

Understanding the importance of airway, proper breathing, quality of sleep and proper growth and development is essential for every child. These outward symptoms provide the dental professional the clues to evaluate the root causes and orthodontic conditions. These root causes are the same as the orthodontic problems we treat for straight teeth. Identifying symptoms early allows the dental professional greater success, easier treatment, and a more permanent result. 

To learn more or to visit the HealthyStart™ Certified Doctor Locator, visit: https://www.thehealthystart.com

REGISTER HERE!! Healthy Start is coming to New York! CE Course on Pediatric Facial Growth, Development and Airway – February 12, 2018.