At Rosehill Dentistry, we understand that children's growth and development heavily depend on quality sleep. Even if your child gets enough hours of sleep, disruptions from Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB) can prevent them from reaching the restorative deep sleep they need. That's why our dental team in Lenexa, KS, offers the HealthyStart® system, a solution designed to address SDB and enhance your child's sleep and complete well-being. With early intervention, our Lenexa, KS dental team can create lasting benefits for kids' smiles and total-body health.
Understanding Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB)
Sleep Disordered Breathing (SBD) occurs when breathing is interrupted during sleep, ranging from simple snoring to more severe conditions like sleep apnea. This often happens due to airway obstructions or narrowing, resulting in decreased oxygen levels and poor sleep. In children, the effects of SDB can negatively influence their health, behavior, and developmental progress. Untreated SDB may contribute to challenges such as concentration difficulties, symptoms similar to ADHD, and concerns with jaw development and dental alignment.
Recognizing the Signs of SDB
While some SDB symptoms, such as snoring and daytime fatigue, are easily recognized, others can be less obvious. Parents should be aware of a range of potential indicators:
- Loud or disturbed breathing during sleep
- Consistent mouth breathing
- Restless sleep patterns
- Bedwetting beyond the expected ages
- Teeth grinding (bruxism)
- Frequent awakenings or difficulty maintaining sleep
- Daytime drowsiness or struggle to wake up
- Hyperactivity, attention deficits, or ADHD-like behaviors
- Mood swings, irritability, or behavioral problems
- Enlarged tonsils or adenoids
- Early detection is critical, as untreated SDB can hinder a child's growth and development.
How HealthyStart® Can Make a Difference
At Rosehill Dentistry, the HealthyStart® program provides a gentle, non-surgical approach to managing SDB in children. It involves the use of custom-fitted oral appliances to guide proper jaw and airway development, fostering nasal breathing and preventing problems like snoring and mouth breathing.
By addressing these issues early on, HealthyStart® aims to improve sleep quality, concentration, and overall health by supporting healthy dental alignment, which could reduce the need for future orthodontic treatment. Additional benefits of implementing HealthyStart® for our young patients include addressing:
- Underdeveloped jaws or narrow dental arches
- Misaligned bites (overbites, underbites, crossbites)
- Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) discomfort
- Open-mouth posture and incorrect tongue placement
- Improper swallowing or tongue thrusting
- Speech difficulties related to oral development
- Chronic allergies or sinus congestion associated with mouth breathing
- Improved sleep and reduced sleep apnea symptoms
- Enhanced airway development for sustained breathing function.
Healthier Sleep for Healthier Smiles
Because high-quality sleep is important for children as they develop and grow, Rosehill Dentistry is here to help. With our non-invasive, natural approach to addressing Sleep Disordered Breathing in children, we encourage healthy sleep, better focus, and optimal overall health. The HealthyStart program also promotes proper dental alignment, potentially reducing the need for braces later on in life.
Ready to learn more about the HealthyStart® program and better sleep quality for your child? Contact us today!
Before & After Photos
