As parents we have so much to do -- and while our kids sleep, we find ourselves rushing to do them. Straightening the house, prepping meals, paying bills. Not to mention connecting with the outside world via phone or pc for a few precious minutes..or catching up on favorite programs at night before exhaustion claims you and you fall into sleep.

Thing is, many of the signs of pediatric airway dysfunction are revealed while we sleep, and it would behoove us as our children’s healthcare champion to spend some time observing...watching...and listening as they dream. 

By the time my daughter was three I already observed an airway problem. From my years of attending Pedo/Ortho courses and seminars for SML, I was able to recognize a number of signs associated with her airway development. From Day One she was a challenge to put to bed. As she got older this didn’t change.  When snuggling before bed, (one of my favorite things to do) we noticed that once she was  asleep, the noise from her teeth grinding could wake up the neighbors -- or a least prevent her parents from getting a good night’s sleep. 

When children grind their teeth, it is a sign of a potential red-flag issue. They are trying to keep their airway open by gnashing their teeth from side to side (Snoring & Bruxing Screening Form).  This is just one of the things I was able to recognize as my daughter grew. I was pre-alerted to this issue by virtue of my career path -- not all parents are that lucky. 

Over the next few months we hope to discuss such problems -- potential red flags that parents should and can recognize as issues important to improving their own kids’ health and well-being.. We’ll discuss how dentistry plays an even bigger role in this arena than generally understood...and suggest resources and solutions to help increase adult awareness and knowledge of matters that impact our lives.

Here is a link to a great article published by the AAPMD, discussing the crisis we face with our children and their airways. 

Linked incorporate - https://www.aapmd.org/child-growth-and-development/osa-children-epidemic-facing

http://www.tmjsleepma.com/tmj-apnea-services/sleep-apnea-in-children