Does your child snore at night? Is your child a chronic mouth breather? 

In recent years, research in sleep quality in children has received a lot of attention. About 12-15% of children are affected by sleep-disordered breathing, with the highest occurrence in children between ages 3 and 5. About 3-12% of preschool and school-aged children habitually snore during sleep. If left untreated, the health of the child is compromised. As a result, we may see bedwetting, daytime sleepiness, failure to thrive, behavioral problems, and decreased quality of life. 

Many parents have asked us why we care as dentists since sleep-disordered breathing have nothing to do with the mouth. The truth is, the mouth is very much connected to the body and reveals a lot about our child’s growth and development, or lack there of.  Habits such as poor tongue posture, mouth breathing, extended pacifier use, and abnormal swallowing pattern lead to dental crowding, crossbites, and high and narrow upper jaws, to name a few. To learn more, visit our orthodontics page.

 As a part of our practice mission in providing comprehensive care to our growing patients, we now offer complimentary airway screenings for all our patients. Both Dr. Bracy and Dr. Cindy understand the importance of a good airway in a growing child and they would be happy to answer any questions or concerns that you may have!