With school holidays around the corner, it’s a good time to book the kids in for their dental check-up.
Main Street Dental participates in the Child Dental Benefits Schedule.
If your child is aged between 2 and 18 years, they might be eligible for dental treatment up to $1052.
Sleep apnea in children
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that causes children to stop breathing for short periods during sleep.
This can happen multiple times a night and can disrupt their sleep.
Symptoms of sleep apnea in children include:
Snoring;
Pauses in breathing;
Restless sleep;
Snorting, coughing, or choking;
Mouth breathing;
Nighttime sweating;
Bed-wetting;
Sleep terrors;
Daytime sleepiness;
Problems with attention and learning;
Hyperactivity; and
Behavioral problems.
Causes of sleep apnea in children include:
Enlarged tonsils and adenoids;
Obesity;
Allergic rhinitis;
Craniofacial abnormalities; and
Neuromuscular disorders.
Diagnosis of sleep apnea in children
If you are concerned that your child might have sleep apnea, talk to your doctor.
They might recommend that your child have a sleep study. A sleep study is a test that monitors your child’s breathing, heart rate, and other vital signs during sleep.
The best healthcare provider to screen your children is the dentist. All children should start seeing the dentist from the age of 2 or, if sleep apnea is suspected, maybe earlier.
Treatment for sleep apnea in children
Treatment depends on the cause of the condition. Some common treatments include:
Removal of enlarged tonsils and adenoids;
Weight loss;
CPAP therapy;
Medications; and
Surgery.
Complications of sleep apnea in children
Untreated sleep apnea can lead to a number of complications, including:
Daytime sleepiness;
Problems with attention and learning;
Hyperactivity;
Impulsivity;
Aggression;
Behavioral problems;
High blood pressure;
Heart problems; and
Stroke.
Prevention of sleep apnea in children
There is no guaranteed way to prevent sleep apnea in children. However, there are some things you can do to reduce your child’s risk, such as:
Maintaining a healthy weight;
Avoiding exposure to smoke and other irritants; and
Getting regular medical checkups.
Call Main Street Dental on 5367 5355 or visit 223 Main Street, Bacchus Marsh.
