Treatment for Child Sleep Apnea
If you suspect your child has sleep apnea, the first step is to contact Miami Designer Smiles to discuss the need for a sleep study. During the sleep study, your child’s breathing will be monitored to count interruptions, how often they wake, and how many hypopnea episodes they have. After the sleep study, if it is determined that your child has sleep apnea, we will determine the best treatment course.
Treatment options for child sleep apnea include:
Avoiding allergens
If your child has allergies contributing to chronic congestion, we recommend that you work to prevent airway irritants and allergens, including tobacco smoke.
Weight loss
Being overweight or obese can contribute to the development of sleep apnea or make existing sleep apnea worse. If this is the case, you may want to seek nutrition information from your child’s pediatrician.
Removal of the tonsils and adenoids
If the cause of your child’s airway obstruction is enlarged tonsils and adenoids, having them removed surgically can improve the flow of air through the airway.
Medications
Some children see improvements in their sleep apnea with the use of topical nasal steroids. Allergy medications may also benefit those with sleep breathing issues caused by sinus congestion.
Positive airway pressure therapy
With continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment, air is sent through a mask worn over your child’s nose or nose and mouth. This air helps to keep the airway open. Doctors often treat pediatric OSA with positive airway pressure therapy either through a CPAP or BiPAP machine. This treatment may be prescribed for children with severe sleep apnea.
Oral appliances
Oral appliances therapy, also known as mandibular advancement devices, may be right for your child if permanent teeth have erupted. These appliances can help prevent airway obstruction and interruptions in your child’s breathing by moving the lower jaw and tongue forward. Oral appliance therapy is used by our Miami Designer Smiles team and is increasing in popularity for children with mild to moderate sleep apnea.
Jaw Development Orthodontics
Jaw development orthodontics can help improve sleep apnea by helping the jaws to achieve their full genetic potential. When the jaws reach their genetically intended size, the airway is widened and breathing improves.
Want to learn more about how oral appliance therapy can help treat child sleep apnea? Miami Designer Smiles partners with a sleep-specialized physician who can help diagnose potential airway issues during sleep. We also offer a low-radiation CBCT scan to evaluate the airway and work with ENT specialists for evaluation and appropriate treatment to maximize the airway.
Learn more by calling us now.