Understanding Sleep Disordered Breathing in Children
Sleep disordered breathing (SDB) in children is more common than many parents realize—and often goes unnoticed or misdiagnosed.
SDB is an umbrella term that includes conditions like snoring, upper airway resistance syndrome, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
These disorders can significantly affect a child’s health, development, and quality of life if not addressed early.
Signs and Symptoms of Sleep Disordered Breathing
Many signs of SDB are subtle and can mimic other childhood concerns.
If your child experiences any of the following, it could be worth investigating further:
- Loud or habitual snoring
- Mouth breathing during the day or night
- Restless or disrupted sleep
- Frequent waking or bedwetting
- Nighttime sweating or teeth grinding
- Dark under-eye circles (“allergic shiners”)
- Difficulty waking up or morning fatigue
- Hyperactivity, impulsivity, or poor concentration during the day
- Behavioral issues often misdiagnosed as ADHD
Parents often don’t associate these symptoms with a breathing issue during sleep—but the connection is real and important.
What Happens If It’s Left Untreated?
When a child’s airway is compromised during sleep, the body and brain receive less oxygen, affecting every system.
The consequences of untreated SDB can include:
- Impaired cognitive development and memory
- Learning difficulties and poor academic performance
- Delayed growth due to disrupted growth hormone release during sleep
- Mood swings and emotional dysregulation
- Increased risk of cardiovascular issues later in life
- Abnormal facial and jaw development due to chronic mouth breathing
Early intervention is critical. Addressing the root cause of the problem can prevent a lifetime of complications.
Our Approach: Functional Orthodontics for Airway Development
At TMJ & Sleep Therapy Centre of Phoenix-East, we treat sleep disordered breathing by orthopedically redeveloping the airway using functional orthodontics.
Rather than relying on CPAP machines or simply treating symptoms, we focus on:
- Expanding and guiding proper jaw growth
- Improving tongue posture and nasal breathing
- Creating space in the mouth for the tongue and airway
- Correcting craniofacial underdevelopment linked to SDB
This non-invasive, growth-guided approach helps children not only breathe and sleep better but also sets the foundation for long-term health,
proper facial development, and improved quality of life.
