As a parent, you work hard to keep your child healthy. But what if some common childhood behaviors and health complaints were connected to something less obvious? A child’s breathing pattern, especially during sleep, is a critical component of their development. When the structure of their mouth, jaw, or throat obstructs their breathing, it can cause a dental airway issue. These problems can impact everything from mood to growth, often in ways you might not expect.
To help you recognize the subtle signs, our Fort Worth pediatric dentist has put together a list of some unexpected signs of dental airway issues. Once you spot the issues, you can access the right care at Aviator Pediatric Dentistry.
What Is a Dental Airway Issue?
Sleep-disordered breathing in children occurs when something partially or fully blocks the upper airway during sleep. This can be caused by:
- Enlarged Tonsils or Adenoids
- Narrow Palate
- Recessed Jaw
- Chronic Allergies
The obstruction makes it difficult for a child to get enough oxygen while they sleep. Their body has to work much harder to breathe, leading to fragmented sleep and a cascade of other health and behavioral problems.
1. Hyperactivity and Poor Focus
If your child struggles to sit still, pay attention in school, or control their impulses, you might suspect ADHD. However, these behaviors are also classic signs of sleep deprivation. A child who isn’t getting restorative sleep due to a compromised dental airway will be tired during the day. For kids, fatigue often looks like hyperactivity as they try to fight off sleepiness.
Getting an assessment for an airway issue could provide you with alternative options to treat your child’s hyperactivity and avoid them needing to take ADHD medication unnecessarily.
2. Mood Swings and Irritability
We all get a little cranky when we’re tired. For a child with an undiagnosed airway issue, this crankiness can become their baseline.
Constant interruptions to their sleep cycle prevent their brain and body from fully recovering at night. This can lead to increased irritability, moodiness, and difficulty with emotional regulation.
3. Chronic Bedwetting
Bedwetting beyond the typical age of potty training can be a frustrating and sensitive issue. It can also be a sign of a dental airway problem like obstructive sleep apnea.
The exact reason why there’s a connection is still being studied. However, correcting the airway problem is linked with a decrease in bedwetting, making it worth checking out with our Fort Worth pediatric dentist.
4. Mouth Breathing and Dry Mouth
Take a moment to observe how your child breathes, both when they are awake and asleep. Do they often have their mouth open?
Chronic mouth breathing is a major red flag. It dries out the mouth, which increases the risk for cavities, bad breath, and inflamed gums. It also indicates that breathing through their nose is difficult, a primary sign of an airway obstruction.
5. Snoring, Gasping, or Pauses in Breathing
Snoring in children is not normal. While an occasional light snore during a cold is acceptable, regular, loud snoring is a sign that the airway is partially blocked.
Pay close attention to other sounds, such as gasping for air, choking, or noticeable pauses in breathing during sleep. These are serious indicators that your child’s dental airway needs immediate attention from a Fort Worth pediatric dentist.
6. Restless Sleep and Odd Sleeping Positions
Children with airway issues often toss and turn all night trying to find a position that opens their airway. You might find them sleeping in strange positions, such as with their head hanging off the bed or propped up on multiple pillows. This constant movement prevents them from entering the deeper, more restorative stages of sleep.
7. Dark Circles Under the Eyes
Those dark, purplish circles under your child’s eyes, often called “allergic shiners,” aren’t just from staying up late. They can be a sign of chronic nasal congestion and poor oxygenation related to a compromised dental airway. This pooling is a direct result of the body struggling to get enough air.
8. Frequent Headaches, Especially in the Morning
Waking up with a headache is a miserable way to start the day. For children with dental airway issues, morning headaches are often caused by a lack of oxygen during the night. This is a clear physical symptom that their sleep is not as restful as it should be.
9. Slowed Growth or Failure to Thrive
Growth hormone is primarily released during deep sleep. When a child’s sleep is constantly fragmented because of a dental airway problem, their body may not produce enough of this crucial hormone.
Our Fort Worth pediatric dentist can track your child’s growth and development, and a drop in their growth curve can sometimes be linked back to poor-quality sleep.
10. Behavioral Problems and Excessive Temper Tantrums
Difficulty managing emotions is common in young children, but excessive or frequent temper tantrums can be linked to chronic exhaustion. A child who is constantly sleep-deprived has a much lower tolerance for frustration. What may look like a behavioral issue could actually be a cry for help from a tired body and brain.
What to Do If You Suspect a Dental Airway Issue
If you recognize several of these signs in your child, don’t panic. The first step is to consult with a professional who understands the connection between oral structures and breathing.
At Aviator Pediatric Dentistry, we can perform a comprehensive evaluation of your child’s mouth, jaw, and facial development to identify potential airway obstructions. We can assess your child’s palate width, jaw alignment, and other oral factors that contribute to healthy breathing. From there, we can guide you toward the right solutions, such as:
- Oral Appliance Therapy
- Early Orthodontic Intervention
- Maxillary Skeletal Expanders
- Help from Another Specialist
It Isn’t Just a Phase—Help Your Little One Breathe Easier
Your child’s ability to breathe properly is fundamental to their health, happiness, and development. Don’t dismiss these unexpected signs.
If you are concerned about your child’s breathing or have noticed any of the symptoms discussed here, book a visit to Aviator Pediatric Dentistry today. Let our Fort Worth pediatric dentist help your child get the restful sleep they need to thrive.