Does Your Child Snore or Sleep Restlessly? It May Be More Than Just Sleep

Does your child snore, sleep with their mouth open, toss and turn throughout the night, or sleep in unusual positions? Do they frequently have a blocked or runny nose? These may seem like small childhood habits, but sometimes they can indicate that your child is struggling to breathe comfortably during sleep.

Healthy breathing plays an important role in a child's sleep, growth and development. Persistent mouth breathing may be associated with nasal obstruction, enlarged adenoids or tonsils, allergies, tongue posture, or developing jaw and dental patterns.

Parents may also notice teeth grinding, dry mouth, restless sleep, frequent waking, daytime tiredness, difficulty concentrating, or changes in chewing and swallowing.

This is why airway-related problems often need a team approach. Depending on the child's findings, assessment may involve a pediatric dentist, ENT specialist, pediatrician, orthodontist, or myofunctional therapist.

A pediatric dental examination can assess the child's teeth and jaws along with oral habits, tongue posture, bite, palate and other signs that may suggest the need for further airway evaluation.

Snoring in a child should not automatically be considered “normal.”

If something about your child's breathing or sleep doesn't seem right, mention it during their dental or medical visit. Early evaluation can help identify the cause and determine whether treatment or simply monitoring is appropriate.