Is your child experiencing severe fatigue, excess snoring, or consistently low-quality sleep? Ask us about airway dentistry! At Sycamore Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, we help our pediatric dental patients conquer sleep disordered breathing and reclaim the quality of sleep they need for growth and development, with gentle airway dentistry in Fort Worth, TX.
What is Airway Dentistry?
Airway dentistry is designed to promote proper breathing and improved breathing function for our patients. We offer thorough exams to assess for disruption to a child's breathing patterns. Because breathing dysfunction can contribute to a child's sleep quality and systemic health, our Fort Worth team uses airway dentistry to help improve airway function, prevent oral health and total-body health concerns, and support a child's healthy posture, facial structure and more.
What Happens When Breathing is Disrupted During Sleep?
If a child is suffering from disrupted breathing during sleep, the resulting systemic effects can include an increase in blood pressure and heart rate. The body may initiate a fight-or-flight response, disrupting the child's quality of sleep.
What are the Symptoms of Sleep Disordered Breathing?
Children who experience sleep disordered breathing often experience symptoms like:
- Excess snoring
- Tossing and turning at night
- Tiredness and fatigue during the day
- Mood swings and irritability
- Wetting the bed
- Learning difficulties
- Teeth grinding
What Treatments are Available for Sleep Disordered Breathing?
If our team notices your child could benefit from airway dentistry treatment, we may recommend any of the following therapies to correct the sleep disruption and restore their quality of rest:
- Myofunctional therapy. Using specific exercises to target the muscles of the mouth, face, and tongue, myofunctional therapy is designed to help the patient boost the muscular awareness that contributes to proper oral function including breathing, speech and swallowing.
- Orthodontic appliances. Custom-designed oral appliances at Sycamore Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics are designed to hold the airway open during sleep. They can also promote proper tooth spacing for early orthodontic treatment and enhance the development of the child's jaw and palate.
Our pediatric team takes a customized approach to treating each of our patients, addressing their unique symptoms to design their unique treatment plan. Your child's airway dentistry treatment will begin with a thorough exam to assess for the signs of sleep disordered breathing. From there, we will recommend the ideal treatment or referral for their needs.
Dr. Warcup is an Airway Health Solutions verified dentist you can trust. For any airway dentistry treatment your smile requires, Sycamore Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics will be with them every step of the way!
Schedule Your Child's Airway Dentistry Appointment
Wondering if your child could benefit from airway dentistry? Our skilled team is here to help them reclaim the proper rest they need! Contact Sycamore Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics today to schedule your child's airway dentistry exam.
