Children such as this child can have dark circles under their eyes, this is an indicator that a child might not be sleeping well.
If your child is a restless sleeper, snores or is a heavy breather or is just tired all the time, he or she may have sleep apnea or some other type of sleep disorder. Children with sleep disorders do not wake up rested and often tend to be tired and cranky.
Sleep disordered breathing can lead to impaired growth, behavioral problems and neuro cognitive problems such as ADD and ADHD and other learning disabilities. Children symptoms are unique and should be diagnosed by someone who is aware of their special problems and symptoms. Dr. Perkins has been diagnosing and treating these problems for more than 35 years.
Orthodontists who do early treatment, such as Dr. Perkins, are in a unique position to help many children with their developmental problems and prevent those problems from extending into adulthood.
Narrow, constricted dental arches, retrusive lower jaws, severe mouth breathing and long face growth patterns are a few problems which can be improved in young children. Orthopedic treatment can help open and expand the airway as well as create more space for the tongue without removing teeth. Removal of permanent teeth at age 12 and 13 can push the tongue further back into the airway and increase the possibility of sleep disordered breathing.
Unlike adults, children can have large adenoids and tonsils which can drastically narrow the airway and be a major factor in childhood sleep disorders. The peak incidence of these problems is between 3 to 6 years of age when these tonsils and adenoids are the largest in relation to airway size.
Dr. Perkins has been able to help many children over the past 35 years by requesting the removal of these tonsils. Children often have miraculous improvement with their sleep problems just from this procedure. If a tonsil problem is suspected, the child should be evaluated by an ENT (ear, nose, throat) specialist familiar with sleep disorders in children.
Dr. Perkins has also seen incredible results by expanding jaws, opening and enlarging the airway. He uses special orthopedic procedures which can drastically improve these very special problems.
Take the life-saving survey on this website to determine if your child might have this problem.
Do not hesitate to bring your child for a complimentary exam if he or she presents with any of these symptoms. Orthodontists have one of the best opportunities to prevent future sleep apnea and sleep disordered breathing. Unfortunately there are only a small number of orthodontists who are willing to treat young children 6-8 years old. If you want an orthodontist who specializes in breathing problems for young children, Dr. Perkins is one of the best.