Stop The Snoring!!!

So, we’ve already established snoring isn’t sexy, nor is it healthy in adults. Rather, it can be a symptom of a more serious problem, obstructive sleep apnea, which can shorten your lifespan by at least 10 years. But what does it mean if your child snores?

In children, snoring is not a sign of health, but rather of some form of airway obstruction, resulting in the child then receiving less oxygen. Snoring may disrupt sleep, making it harder to get that child up in the morning. Additionally, he or she may fall asleep or doze off more readily in school and also may not be able to concentrate as well, resulting in poorer grades. Some children, when lacking sleep, become more “hyper,” while others may become more lethargic.

When these symptoms are occurring, we have noticed that children can become mouth breathers. Mouth breathers can have more inflamed gums, anterior open bites, as well as changes in the shape of their mouths. Frequently the palate will narrow, and crowding and crossbite may occur, because with mouth breathing the child’s tongue is not in its proper position, guiding growth.

Changes within the mouth can also affect the outer appearance and shape of the face. When children snore, they often grind their teeth. There are a couple of schools of thought behind this; one posits that in grinding, the neck muscles are stiffened, which can help keep the airway open. Large adenoids can block the Eustachian tubes and grinding can help equalize the pressure. Continuous grinding of the teeth can result in nerve exposure, tooth pain and flattening of the teeth. In adolescents, headaches and face pain may result. Grinding can disrupt the sleep of others, if it is loud enough.

So, what are some causes of airway obstruction in children? Enlarged tonsils and adenoids, deviated septum, nasal obstructions, oral habits (thumb sucking, pacifier) and allergies are just a few.

Allergies can lead to swollen nasal turbinates, chronic runny noses and chronic sore throats, along with earaches. Children with allergies also exhibit “allergic shiners,” or dark bags under their eyes. If your child snores, grinds or has some bite changes, an evaluation of the tonsils and adenoids is warranted. After removal, studies have shown children sleep better and can focus better, resulting in better grades and behavior in school. In some cases, ADHD was greatly alleviated, or even eliminated.

The next time your child is at the dentist or physician, have the tonsils evaluated, especially if snoring is a problem. Ask for a referral to the ENT or allergist if you hear your child gasping for breath while sleeping. Breathing with excessively enlarged tonsils and adenoids is like breathing through a straw—very difficult, indeed.

Stop the snoring and help everyone get a better night’s sleep!