When it comes to sleep apnea, how can we help our children

One of the most important things we can do as medical/dental professionals is to help prevent problems from occurring in the first place. When it comes to Sleep Apnea, as we were discussing this in our last post, with adults, the best we can do is manage it, but with children we can actually cure it. If you think about it, the mouth is one of 2 openings to the upper airway. One is the nose, and the other is the mouth. The healthiest way to breathe is through the nose. The cilia (little hairs in your nose) filter the air to remove allergens, bacteria etc., the nose also humidifies the air. When a person breathes through their nose, the tongue normally postures up against the hard palate and the lips close together and seal the oral cavity. The final position of the teeth in the dental arches is a neutral one found between the outward pressure exerted by the tongue and the inward pressure of the muscles of the lips and cheeks. Early in life for many children, the nose may block due to allergies to the environment, milk, and other foods and items. This forces the person to breathe through their mouth. In order to do that, the tongue must drop down towards the floor of the mouth. Now, the inward force from the muscles of the lips and cheeks cause the dental arch to become constricted. This can lead to the palatal vault rising upward and in turn cause an increase of nasal resistance. Parents should pay attention to the breathing patterns of their children. Do they snore? Do they breathe through their mouth, or through their nose? Do they have food allergies. If these are found, have the family doctor refer you to a pediatric ENT (ear-nose-throat) to eliminate the problem. In future postings I will elaborate on this issue. If you have any questions or comments, you can always reach me at drmartyfrankel@rogers.com, 416-770-8526, or on Facebook at Dr. Marty Frankel - Smiles by Design.