Sleep, Airway & Orthodontics, Part 1

Airway Orthodontics for Adults and Children

Sleep and airway-related orthodontics in children has become an area of great study over the past several years. We now know that children who snore or sleep with their mouths open on a regular basis tend to have an upper airway constriction. We also know that bed-wetting, ADD, ADHD, disruptive behavior along sensory processing disorder are all associated with sleep disruptions and sleep-disordered breathing.

Four percent of children have some sort of disrupted sleep – that’s why at Westwalk Orthodontic Group Norwalk, we screen all of our patients under the age of 18 for symptoms associated with sleep-disordered breathing.

Unfortunately, just knowing that there is some sort of sleep-disordered breathing is only the first step to addressing the problem. The cause of sleep-disordered breathing in children can be multi-faceted. Several possible causes include enlarged tonsils and/or adenoids, a narrow nasal airway with increased nasal resistance, a low tongue posture, a recessive lower jaw, or even obesity. When necessary, we work with your pediatrician, ENT, and speech pathologist to enact the best treatment plan for your child.

Next week, we’ll discuss how orthodontic treatment can affect positive change for a child with sleep-disordered breathing. know more about orthodontics and sleep apnea treatment at Westwalk Orthodontics Group.

Drs. Steve Cagliostro and Gary Romeo

Our Norwalk Westwalk Orthodontics Group office is located 10-15 min away from the maritime aquarium at Norwalk, Stepping Stones Museum for Children, Lockwood-Mathews Mansion, Sheffield Island Ferry, Norwalk Historical Society Museum, and Mill Hill Park.