My child snores, should I be worried?

Snoring in children may seem amusing, but anyone whose sleep is disturbed by a snoring child will find it far from funny. Your child’s breathing should be silent and subtle, both when they are awake and asleep – so if your child snores at night it could indicate an obstruction of the airways related to a range of underlying conditions. Fortunately, your KIDS dentists can help.

Why is snoring bad for my child’s health?

Snoring is linked to sleep apnoea, where the muscles and soft tissues in the throat relax and collapse sufficiently to cause a total blockage of the airway; as well as with disorders of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). This joint acts like a sliding hinge, connecting your child’s jawbone to the skull.

Research finds that over time, poor sleep patterns can lead to children developing attention issues – it is estimated that two-thirds of children with an ADHD disorder have interrupted sleep, and snoring can play a significant role in this.

How can I stop my child snoring?

Sleeping on the back and being overweight will both contribute towards snoring, so these are two areas to address first, if applicable. Placing a cushion or soft toy behind the small of your child’s back can help encourage them to sleep on their side. This is only suitable for children aged two and over, and given how much children wriggle around at night, it is unlikely to offer a long-term solution!

At KIDS Mackay, we can carry out an assessment of your child’s breathing issues and, in consultation with your GP or sleep practitioner, correct any snoring. Non-invasive intervention for children between the ages of three and twelve can be undertaken by our skilled KIDS dentists. Wearing a removable Myobrace at night, and following a series of activities, your child will retrain their tongue and jaw muscles and thus promote a more natural breathing pattern to stop snoring.

What treatment options are available for my child?

Myobrace is a simple and effective pre-orthodontic treatment, worn for 1-2 hours each day and whilst sleeping. The custom-fitted Myobrace device works by providing light pressure on the hard palate, gently reshaping it over time. Your child will also be given a personalised programme of Myobrace app-based exercises to encourage correct tongue placement and help the teeth and jaw realign to their natural position. Regular appointments at KIDS help us monitor progress and make any adjustments that may be required to your child’s app programme.

The friendly, professional team at KIDS are always happy to answer any questions you may have and discuss treatment options tailored exactly to the needs of your family.

We offer Complimentary Myobrace Consultations. Submit the form below and we will get back to you shortly to arrange your Complimentary Consultation.