Sleep helps children grow and develop to their fullest potential. Unfortunately, many children experience sleep disorders that impact their health and well-being.
The Need for Sleep
While children need less sleep than infants, they still need about eight to twelve hours of sleep depending on their age. Sleep helps the body and mind repair, re-energize, grow, develop, and create permanence for what the child has learned during the day.
Body and Brain Struggles
When a child is not getting enough sleep, their body and brain will start to feel it. Sleep deprivation may show up as the inability to focus or concentrate, mood swings, compromised immunity, and even stunted growth because of a deficiency in hormone release during sleep.
Common Sleep Disorders with Children
- Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)
- Bruxism (nocturnal clenching and grinding of the teeth)
- Snoring
- Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS)
- ADD/ADHD*
*Some studies say that one out of four children diagnosed with and treated for ADD/ADHD may actually have a sleep disorder that is resulting in their issues with focus and behavior.
Sleep Disorder Symptoms
If your child is experiencing the symptoms listed below, they may benefit from an evaluation with Dr. Patel at Preston Dental Loft in Cary, NC.
- Sleeplessness
- Daytime tiredness
- Mouth breathing
- Snoring or Paused breathing
- Mood swings
- Night terrors
- Wetting the bed
- Learning struggles
- Concentration or hyperactivity issues
- Head/jaw/facial/teeth pain
Dentistry and Sleep Solutions
While you may not think of dentistry when it comes to sleep, dental sleep medicine has solutions to help children sleep better while also improving facial development and growth. Dental sleep medicine with Dr. Patel focuses on breathing issues, sleep habits, and the oral health factors that may contribute to sleep disorders. Sleeping struggles related to obstructive sleep apnea and bruxism may also be directly linked to dental issues like teeth crowding, dental malocclusion, swallowing disorders, and speech problems.
The HealthyStart® System
The HealthyStart® System is a non-invasive, pain-free solution for parents who want to help straighten their children's teeth without braces or want to address Sleep Disorder Breathing symptoms early in their child's life before it worsens with age.
Through a series of customized, comfortable sleep appliances, a wide range of symptoms of Sleep Disordered Breathing can be addressed and corrected, such as mouth breathing, inability to focus, academic challenges, bedwetting, snoring, nightmares, underdeveloped jaw, and an underdeveloped airway. As a HealthyStart® provider, Dr. Patel will discuss a customized plan with you to ensure optimal results from the HealthyStart® System for your child.
Schedule a Visit
If you have sleep related concerns for your child, Preston Dental Loft would love to help. We can provide a thorough assessment and effective treatment solutions in many cases. And if the situation needs further attention from another medical professional, we will connect you to the right provider.
