Children’s Choice Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics — Washington DC (202-410-0088) — Does sleep apnea keep your little one from getting well-rested slumbers? Children’s Choice can help them get the rest they need through personalized treatments that’ll have them thriving in no time!
We can all agree that a good night's sleep is quite beneficial, leaving us feeling energized, refreshed, and ready to take on the day. Unfortunately, sleep-related breathing disorders, such as sleep apnea, interfere with millions of people’s chances of obtaining the restorative sleep they need.
When you hear about sleep apnea, you often think of adults being affected. But in truth, pediatric sleep apnea affects up to 4% of children. Find out more at https://www.mychildrenschoicedental.com/thrive-myofunctional-therapy
If your little one is suffering from sleep apnea, Children’s Choice Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics can help you find the best treatment approach. They provide individualized solutions, including myofunctional therapy, which entails a series of exercises for proper breathing, tongue placement, and swallowing to get your child resting easily through the night.
Pediatric sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by repeated interruptions in breathing during sleep. These pauses in breathing, known as apneas, can last for a few seconds to minutes. Two types of sleep apnea affect children: central sleep apnea and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The latter is more common and occurs when the airway repeatedly becomes partially or completely blocked, Children's Choice explains.
Studies have found that sleep apnea can affect a child’s behavior, cognitive development, emotional regulation, and physical growth. Muscle weakness within the tongue, mouth, and upper throat can lead to snoring and OSA, the clinic says.
To treat these issues, the Children’s Choice Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontic clinicians provide myofunctional therapy, a program consisting of regular exercises to strengthen the tongue and facial muscles used for chewing, swallowing, and breathing. Although the length of treatment may vary, myofunctional therapy generally lasts between 4 and 12 months.
During your child's initial visit, the dentist will perform a comprehensive assessment to determine the root cause of their sleep apnea. Once established, they'll develop a personalized treatment plan based on your child’s specific needs. You'll also be provided with detailed information to ensure your complete understanding and awareness of your child’s condition and the necessary treatments.
Depending on the severity of a child’s sleep disorder, the plan may involve other treatment methods, such as Rapid Maxillary Expansion (RME). RME is an orthodontic treatment technique that involves wearing a custom-made appliance to widen the upper jaw and expand the palate to provide more room for airflow.
One satisfied parent said: “Dr. A. and her team are absolutely amazing. They are all so sweet with the kids (and parents). Dr. A. is clearly very knowledgeable and explains and relays information in a very parent-friendly way as well. The office is beautiful and clean. We went to Dr. A. for concerns of lip tie and tongue tie for our child and we left feeling confident about what was going on, the next steps, and a plan of action.”
Since its establishment in 2014, Children’s Choice Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics has served the Central Northwest neighborhoods of Washington, DC, including Bloomingdale, Eckington, Truxton Circle, Edgewood, and Fort Lincoln. The clinic specializes in providing children, including those with special needs, with anxiety-free general oral care, orthodontic solutions, and advanced laser dentistry to address tethered oral tissues.
Children’s Choice Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics wants to help your little one say hello to a good night's rest. So don't hesitate to give them a call, or visit https://www.mychildrenschoicedental.com/thrive-myofunctional-therapy to learn more and schedule an appointment.
