Healthy Start Sleep Apnea Therapy for Children – Las Vegas, NV
Better Childhood Sleep Leads to Improved Lives
At iSleepSolutions, Dr. Pam West and her compassionate team recognize the profound impact inadequate sleep can have on a child's development. From dental concerns like misaligned bites and mouth breathing to behavioral challenges and bedwetting, every aspect is interconnected. The good news is, Dr. West offers an innovative solution that not only enhances your child's ability to breathe freely but also effectively addresses the various problems associated with disrupted sleep patterns – introducing Healthy Start for Kids. To discover more about this exceptional program, we invite you to reach out to our office by filling out this form in the link below.
Sleep Disordered Breathing 101
If your child is experiencing sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), you will notice that they have a hard time breathing through their nose and instead, they will become what is known as a “mouth breather.” This improper method of breathing can negatively impact their facial development as well as lead to behavioral and social issues.
Learn More About Sleep Disordered Breathing in Children
What Are the Signs and Symptoms?
If you are unsure what to look for, the most common signs and symptoms associated with SDB include:
- Loud snoring
- Dark circles under the eyes
- Bedwetting
- Nightmares or night terrors
- ADD/ADHD
- Behavioral and social challenges
- Difficulty resting at night
- Ceased breathing while asleep
- Breathing through the mouth and not the nose
- Crowded teeth
If your child exhibits any of these signs or symptoms, contact our office as soon as possible.
Learn About Child Sleep ApneaFree Consultation
How the Healthy Start Program Can Help
As it is with any dental, medical, or other health-related problem, it is always best to seek treatment sooner rather than later. With Dr. West’s help, she can address the problems associated with SDB and give your child a chance to have a better quality of life.
After examining your child’s mouth and discussing the issues they are facing at home, she can take impressions of their smile, which are sent off to a lab. There, technicians work to build a custom-made oral device that your child will wear to improve their quality of sleep. Apart from helping them to rest better, this device will also address their tongue placement, jaw, and teeth alignment, putting a stop to any current structural changes that can occur because of improper breathing.
What is the Process?
While the Healthy Start program may not be the right method of treatment for every child, Dr. West and her team will evaluate and examine your child to make sure they are exhibiting the symptoms and experiencing the structural changes and problems that are most closely associated with SDB.
Should they believe your child is a qualified candidate, she will create a customized treatment plan for you to review. This will explain the process of receiving an oral device and how it will work to improve your child’s sleep patterns and facial development.
After taking impressions of their teeth, a custom-made oral appliance will be created to ensure it fits comfortably within their mouth while they sleep. Based on the severity of your child’s SDB, Dr. West will recommend how long and when your child will need to wear the device.
Within a short amount of time, you and your little one will begin to notice a significant difference in how they are breathing and sleeping. You will also see a change in their way their jaw, teeth, and facial features appear, giving them an enhanced aesthetic that boosts their confidence levels and leads to improved behavior at school and home.
Healthy Start for Kids FAQs
When it comes to better understanding your kid’s sleep apnea, you likely have a lot of questions. This is completely normal, and the team at iSleepSolutions is ready to help. With the goal of helping little ones achieve better rest while breathing easier and avoiding more serious complications in the future, Dr. West and her team wish to put your mind at ease and provide greater clarification about the Healthy Start program. Below, you will find a list of FAQs to help you get started. If you have any additional questions and would like to schedule a free consultation, contact us today.
How likely is a child with a sleep breathing disorder to develop ADD/ADHD?
Although not all children with sleep breathing disorders develop ADD/ADHD, statistics state that nearly 20% of children with a moderate case of SDB are 12.1 times more likely to have this condition.
Will my child be able to bite through the oral appliance?
After visiting a sleep center and starting your child on the Healthy Start Program, they will receive a soft appliance in the beginning because we want them to become accustomed to the material and process. As a result, they can bite through their oral appliance. Fortunately, if this happens, you can alert Dr. West and our team, and we will give them a stronger, more durable appliance that will make it much more difficult to bite through.
What is the best way to clean this appliance?
When your child wakes in the morning and removes their oral appliance, it can be cleaned using a soft-bristled toothbrush and a small amount of toothpaste. After it is thoroughly cleaned, it should be rinsed and shaken to ensure any excess water is gone. While you do not want the appliance to become brittle, it is best if it is allowed to air dry for a short while (20-30 minutes). After this time, it can be placed in a protective case.
Do orthodontic problems that occur in baby teeth correct themselves when permanent teeth erupt?
It is highly unlikely this will happen, as most research states that the eruption of permanent teeth does not suddenly clear up any ongoing orthodontic problems. This is why the Healthy Start Program can be so beneficial, as it will address tooth alignment, jaw placement, and current structural issues that can negatively impact your child’s facial features and ability to breathe freely at night.