Pediatric Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB) and Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) can manifest in a number of unusual ways in children. They may become inattentive, have trouble concentrating, and develop symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Symptoms of SBD and OSA
When a child is experiencing a lack of oxygen while asleep or disordered sleep patterns, it impacts every other area of their life. It’s essential that these issues be diagnosed and treated as early as possible. Symptoms can include:
- Snoring
- Behavioral problems
- Issues in school
- Bruxism
- Abnormal or disrupted sleep
- Nocturnal enuresis
- Nightmares
- Gasping
- Mouth breathing during the day
Learning more about these disorders is the key. Contacting Westlake, CA dental sleep medicine consultants can help.
Dentists Provide the First Line of Defense for Pediatric Patients
Pediatric patients see the dentist more frequently than they do their pediatricians. Because of this, dentists are their first line of defense against SBD and OSA. Knowing what to look for and recommending or referring a patient for treatment can drastically improve the quality of that child’s life.
For more information, reach out to Dr. Greenman and the DSM Solutions Team.