If Your Child Snores, Consult Your Dentist!

Parenting is a challenging profession! It is actually the most difficult job there is. It can be very unsettling when you see anything unusual in your children, such as a sudden coughing fit, a string of sneezes, or thunderous snores. Make sure you contact a Cumming, GA pediatric orthodontist for help.

Why do people snore?

Pediatric sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), a generic term that refers to breathing problems while sleeping, is what happens when kids snore.

Children’s snoring may be caused by a variety of factors, including:

• Allergies: seasonal allergies outside or indoor allergies to pet dander, dust, or mold.
• Obstructive sleep apnea in children: loss of oxygen because of confined or obstructed airways
• Dental problems including crowded teeth, crooked teeth, or thin palates that block the airways.
• The adenoids and tonsils are larger.

Does snoring result from swollen tonsils? They can, for sure! The most frequent reason for irregular breathing while you sleep is this: Adenoids, the glands in the rear of the nasal cavity, can enlarge or become infected, obstructing the airways and making it harder to breathe during sleeping.

If my infant or child snores, should I be worried?

To evaluate whether snoring is a cause for concern, it is critical to identify the underlying cause.

Baby or newborn snoring

If your baby is breathing loudly but lightly, this is probably typical. Because their nasal passages are smaller than adults, newborns may make noise when they sleep. This can result in noisy breathing, particularly if they have excess mucous or dryness.

If you are worried about your baby snoring, please contact your pediatrician.

Infants snoring

Children may also snore lightly, which is typical. It is crucial to see your pediatrician right away if you find your child snoring noisily or having breathing pauses while they sleep. It is critical to have sleep apnea evaluated and remedied as promptly as possible because it is a hazardous condition that prevents the brain from receiving enough oxygen.

You should also rule out the risk of any additional medical disorders, such as allergies, asthma, or swollen tonsils, that may be contributing. 

Adolescents snoring

Teenagers who snore may have swollen tonsils or adenomas, sleep apnea, allergies, dental misalignment, or other health issues. If tonsils are thought to be the culprit, see your doctor or an ENT (ear, nose, and throat), specialist, to rule out medical issues.

A potential treatment, orthodontics

You should consult an orthodontist for an evaluation if your child snores due to a dental malocclusion or a narrow palate.

Orthodontics can be beneficial for straightening teeth, enlarging a small palate, leveling the jaw bones, and opening up the airways in the mouth.