Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder in which a complete or partial blockage of airways disrupts normal breathing patterns during sleep. It has a significant impact on oral health and can be detrimental to overall health. Children should not snore or breathe with their mouths open. As a matter of fact, twenty percent of children who snore have sleep apnea. Up to four percent of children have sleep apnea, but it is more difficult to detect in kids than in adults.

In addition to leaving children with general sleep deprivation resulting in exhaustion, difficulty concentrating at school, irritability and hyperactivity, sleep apnea affects their oral health. Sleep apnea has a moderate to severe connection to gum disease and temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ or TMD). TMD leads to worn, cracked or broken teeth, pain when chewing, chronic headaches, neck and shoulder pain.

Oral appliance therapy is a great treatment option for many patients. Oral appliances for children are different from those that treat adult patients. Since the child is still growing, their appliances are designed to move or develop with the patient. Oral appliances hold the airway open and to help your child breathe properly at night. The dentist will usually recommend an oral appliance for children since it is non-invasive, easy to use and can develop with the child.