Ensuring Restful Nights and Healthy Sleep for Your Child's Well-being
Pediatric sleep concerns, under the expert guidance of Dr. Nikki Shafiei at San Marcos Pediatric Dentistry, encompass a range from disrupted breathing patterns during sleep, such as mouth-breathing, snoring, heavy breathing, to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). These issues arise when the muscles at the back of the throat relax, causing a narrowing of the airway during your child’s inhalation. Dr. Nikki Shafiei adopts a collaborative approach at San Marcos Pediatric Dentistry to effectively address and manage these pediatric sleep challenges, prioritizing your child’s overall health and comfort.
How Does Your Child Sleep?
When asked about your child’s sleep, the typical response is often, “they sleep fine.” However, Dr. Nikki Shafiei at San Marcos Pediatric Dentistry understands that many parents may not share the same room with their child, prompting a thorough examination of the child’s sleep habits. Apart from establishing a bedtime routine, managing screen time, and creating a serene sleep environment, Dr. Nikki Shafiei takes into account other signs if your little one continues to wake you during the night, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of your child’s sleep patterns and potential concerns.
What are the signs?
Insufficient oxygen during sleep can lead to inadequate oxygen supply to your child’s brain. Irregular breathing serves as an indicator of potential airway obstruction, which may manifest in the following symptoms:
- Snoring
- Teeth grinding (bruxism)
- Heavy breathing
- Gasping/waking with a startle
- Holding of breath
- Mouth breathing
Even if your child appears to sleep through the night, the quality of their sleep may be compromised. Indicators of poor quality sleep in your child may include:
- Tossing and turning
- Waking in a tangle of blankets
- Sleeping in odd positions (head extended back, on their tummy with bottom-up)
- Difficulty falling asleep
- Difficulty staying asleep
- Bedwetting
Symptoms often associated with ADHD might actually indicate an underlying sleep issue. When children fail to reach their REM cycle, it can lead to impaired executive functioning skills, encompassing areas such as working memory, cognitive flexibility, and inhibitory control. The following are some symptoms associated with this:
- Hyperactivity or fidgeting
- Emotional or irritable behavior
- Easy distractibility
- Daytime sleepiness
- Difficulty focusing or hyper-focusing
- Challenges with learning
- Issues with organizational skills
How to diagnose it?
Pediatric sleep issues present a complex challenge that requires accurate diagnosis. Recognizing the signs is just one aspect of unraveling the puzzle. If Dr. Nikki Shafiei suspects abnormal breathing during sleep, she aims to identify the root cause and collaborates with your ENT specialist to delve into the underlying factors. This process entails a comprehensive understanding of your child’s sleep environment, craniofacial structure, and functionality. Dr. Nikki Shafiei may utilize the following diagnostic tools to gain a comprehensive understanding:
- Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire
- Imaging (cone beam computed tomography or CBCT)
- High-resolution pulse oximetry (HRPO)
- Orthodontic models
- Oral motor functional assessment
- Breathing assessment
