Sleep apnea is a breathing problem that affects adults and children and causes interruptions in breathing while sleeping. Although it is often associated with daytime fatigue and snoring, however, it can also cause adverse effects on the dental health of your child.
Sleep apnea is a cause of numerous dental problems that can affect your child’s oral well-being and growth, ranging from the misalignment of their teeth to the delayed eruption of teeth.
Sleep Apnea and Oral Health
Let’s look at how sleep apnea may affect children’s dental health, the importance of dentists in identifying and treating it, and the reasons why regular dental exams are essential for maintaining healthy oral health in children.
Impact of Sleep Apnea on Children’s Dental Health
- Malocclusion: Sleep sleep apnea may cause misalignment or malocclusion of teeth. If children suffer from sleep apnea, their breathing becomes impaired, and they might grind or clench their teeth while asleep – this can cause changes in the way teeth are positioned and can cause difficulty in chewing and biting and speech problems, headaches, and jaw pain.
- Delayed Tooth Eruption: Sleep breathing disturbances may also cause delayed tooth eruption. If breathing patterns are disrupted in sleep, their bodies make less of the growth hormone needed to develop teeth and bones, causing delays in teeth eruption. This can seriously affect a child’s bite and cause general dental health concerns.
- Dry Mouth and Gum Disease: Sleep apnea can lead to gum disease. If a child suffers from sleep apnea, their breathing becomes affected, and they might breathe through their mouth instead of their nose. The breath in the mouth can cause a dry mouth, reducing the saliva. Saliva is vital to keep the mouth healthy and clean The growth of bacteria could cause gum disease if it isn’t sufficient.
- Teeth Grinding Children who suffer from sleep apnea grind their teeth during the night, known as bruxism. Grinding can cause wear and tear and lead to tooth loss or sensitive teeth.
Sleep apnea among children should be detected in the early stages. The signs include snoring, gasping or choking in sleep or restlessness, and fatigue during the day. If your child suffers from sleep apnea, it is essential to consult a dentist or pediatrician right away so that they can send them to be evaluated by a sleep expert.
Role of Dentists in Sleep Apnea
- Dentists play a crucial role in diagnosing sleep apnea and treating the condition among children. You can follow this link for more info about the importance of dental check-ups and oral maintenance.
- Regular dental visits let your dentist look for indications of malocclusion, delayed tooth eruption, or other dental issues that may be indicative of sleep apnea.
- If your child is identified with sleep apnea. If that is the case, their dentist will work with their doctor and sleep specialist to create an effective treatment plan that could include Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) or oral devices designed to keep the airways open during sleep. If you’re looking for treatment for sleep breathing disorders in Ocean, NJ, you can search the web for reputable facilities and contact them immediately to schedule an appointment.
Importance of Regular Dental Check-Ups
- Regular dental exams for children are essential to ensure good oral health.
- Dental exams can help prevent gum disease, cavities, and various dental problems from forming.
- Your dentist can provide advice on the correct brushing and flossing techniques.
- Your dentist might recommend sealing treatments or fluoride treatments to safeguard your child’s teeth from decay.
Conclusion
Sleep Apnea can significantly impact your child’s dental health, such as malocclusion, delayed tooth eruption, dry mouth, and grinding of teeth. Parents should be aware of the signs for children and consult their pediatric dentist or dentist to determine if it is likely.
The early treatment of sleep apnea in children can help prevent problems in the long term and improve overall health and development. Be sure to keep a regular dental check schedule to ensure any problems come up in the early stages.
