What Causes Sleep Apnea in Children?

December 13, 2021

Does your child snore loudly? Do they struggle with night terrors or bed-wetting? Are they often irritable? All of these symptoms may be related to sleep apnea. While many people believe that obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a disorder that is exclusive to adults, the truth is that it can afflict individuals of any age. In this post, we’ll discuss why children may suffer from OSA and how a custom oral appliance may be able to help your little breathe easier at night.

Enlarged Tonsils or Adenoids

Enlarged tonsils or adenoids are the most common cause of sleep apnea in children. The extra tissue can completely or partially block the airway while the child is asleep, leading to dangerous disruptions in breathing. If large tonsils or adenoids are responsible for your little one’s difficulties, an ENT doctor might recommend that your child undergo surgery to remove the offending tissues. However, a custom oral appliance, which will reposition your child’s jaw at night to allow for easier breathing, may be a viable (and much more conservative) alternative.

Obesity

According to the CDC, more than 13 million children in the U.S. between the ages of 2 and 19 are obese. Excess body weight is a significant risk factor for sleep apnea in individuals of all ages. If your child is overweight, working with your child’s doctor to design an effective weight loss plan is a wise idea. However, you should consider other ways to address your child’s OSA throughout their weight loss journey.

A doctor might recommend that your child uses a CPAP machine to address their OSA. However, many children may find it difficult to tolerate the discomfort of wearing a CPAP mask every night. Countless parents have found that a custom oral appliance, designed by a sleep dentist, is a comfortable and convenient CPAP alternative.

Nasal Congestion

Nasal congestion, such as what might occur as a result of allergies or a deviated septum, can hinder proper breathing through the nose. If your child habitually breathes through their mouth, airway collapse (and sleep apnea) is much more likely.

Finding an effective allergy treatment may be able to stop your child’s OSA. However, it is still a wise idea to talk to a sleep dentist or other OSA expert to make sure your child gets the relief they need. If a deviated septum is responsible for your child’s nighttime mouth breathing, an oral sleep appliance may be a viable alternative to surgery.

We’ve discussed just a few risk factors for OSA in children. Other risk factors include asthma, a narrowed airway, and tongue tie. Regardless of what is causing your little one’s breathing difficulties, seeking medical guidance will prove to be the best and fastest way to help them get the high-quality sleep they need.

About the Author

Dr. Kenneth Mogell, a board-certified specialist in sleep medicine with over 10 years of experience treating sleep breathing disorders is the practice’s founder and primary practitioner. The practice has three South Florida locations: Melbourne, Vero Beach, and Boca Raton. To learn more about Florida Dental Sleep Disorders and Dr. Kenneth Mogell, contact our team at 844-294-7559We accept Medicare, Tricare and most medical insurance!