Pediatrics

Child Sleep-Related Breathing Disorders

Sleep Services for Children

Addressing OSA in children requires specialized training. Adult therapies are not just ineffective on pediatric patients, but can be incredibly dangerous. Therapies such as Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) and Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT) have been known to arrest skeletal development of the growing child.

This is why we offer specialized therapies specifically designed to harness the growth of the child, not cause problems with it. We work to increase the airway volume and address the obstructions we find so that pediatric patients can sleep better now and for the rest of their lives. Pediatric OSA treatment is ideal, as the corrections made can ensure that the condition never returns.

Sleep Apnea Symptoms for Children

Sleep disorders in children are conditions that prevent them from getting the oxygen needed while they sleep, creating a form of suffocation.  Obstructive sleep apnea in children is being increasingly recognized as a cause of attention and behavior problems as well as learning and developmental problems. Symptoms include:

• Snoring
• Mouth breathing
• Restlessness during sleep
• Sleeping in odd positions
• Periods of not breathing
• Teeth grinding
• Night terrors
• Mood changes
• Poor concentration
• Bed wetting
• Headaches
• Frequent infections

Orofacial Pain for Children (TMD/TMJ)

The good news with children is that they are still in developmental stage and the earlier the problem is diagnosed and treated the better the results!

CRANIOFACIAL PAIN SERVICES FOR CHILDREN – MAY INCLUDE 1 OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING:

• Comprehensive diagnostics
• Non-surgical treatment plan for rehabilitation
• Orthopedic orthodontic development
• Nutritional counseling
• Supplement regimens
• Physical medicine treatment (Laser therapy, phonophoresis)
• Multi-discipline Referral Coordination

Orofacial pain, although most commonly thought of as a disorder affecting only adults, can present in children at an early age.  It may be milder or it may simply seem milder because unlike adult onset conditions, these young children have always had symptoms of jaw pain and headaches or difficulty in normal functions of opening, chewing, swallowing, speaking and communications. As sad as it sounds, they know no difference and assume pain and/or difficulties with function are normal and what everyone experiences. Unfortunately, if undiagnosed and left untreated, the symptoms and condition increase with age.

Pediatric Symptoms Indicating the Need for Treatment

• Headaches – recurring or chronic
• Earache or ear symptoms of stuffiness or ringing
• Neck Pain or Stiffness
• Facial Pain
• Jaw joint sounds – clicking, popping or grating
• Limited ability to open or close mouth
• Jaw locking (opened or closed)
• Sensitive, loose or worn down teeth
• Pain or soreness in the TM joints
• Dizziness or Pain or difficulty chewing or swallowing
• Extreme sensitivity to light
• ADHD
• Bed wetting