Snoring is a fairly common problem that can affect anyone, young or old. It occurs when a person can't move air freely through their nose and mouth during sleep. This sound is produced when certain structures in the mouth and throat, such as the tongue, soft palate, large tonsils, upper larynx, uvula, large tonsils, or adenoids, vibrate against each other.
In this article, knowing more about the snoring causes and treatments of snoring in children can allow parents to best look out for their children's health and help kids get better, more restorative sleep.
What Causes Snoring in Children?
Snoring occurs when air cannot flow freely through the airway at the back of the throat. Tissue around the airway vibrates during inhalation and exhalation, producing a sound that can be heard.
Multiple factors can create airway blockages and cause a person to snore. The following are the most common risk factors for snoring in children:
Large or swollen tonsils and adenoids: The tonsils and adenoids are found near the back of the throat and are part of the body's immune system. If they are naturally larger or swollen because of infection, they can obstruct the airway and cause snoring. This is the most common cause of sleep-disordered breathing in children.
Obesity: Studies have shown that overweight children are more likely to snore. Obesity can narrow the airway and raise the risk for SDB, including obstructive sleep apnea. You must talk to the dentist about sleep apnea houston tx, to give relief to your children.
Congestion: Cold-like symptoms can cause congestion in the nose, which can block airflow, and infections can cause swelling in the tonsils and adenoids.
Allergies: Flare-ups of allergies can cause inflammation in the nose and throat that can make it harder to breathe and raise the risk of snoring.
Asthma: Like allergies, asthma may inhibit normal breathing, and if it causes partial blockages of the airway, it can provoke snoring.
Anatomic characteristics: Some people have physical characteristics that make it difficult for them to breathe normally while sleeping. For example, a deviated septum, in which the nostrils are not evenly separated, can cause mouth breathing and snoring.
Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS): Exposure to ETS, often referred to as secondhand smoke, can affect breathing and has been correlated with a higher risk of snoring in children.
Contaminated air: Poor air quality or excessive pollutants can pose challenges to normal breathing and may affect a child's likelihood of snoring frequently.
Shorter duration of breastfeeding: Research has found an association between snoring in children and reduced duration of breastfeeding. The exact reason for this is unknown, but it may be that breastfeeding helps the upper airway develop in a way that cuts down on the likelihood of snoring.
The treatment of snoring include:
- Lifestyle changes. Your doctor may ask you to lose weight, quit smoking, or stop drinking alcohol before bedtime.
- Oral appliance. You must wear a small plastic appliance in your mouth while you sleep. It keeps your airway open by moving your jaw or tongue.
- A variety of procedures may help stop snoring. Your doctor can remove or shrink tissues in your throat or make your soft palate stiffer.
What Are the Potential Treatment Options?
Based on your child's test results, symptoms, and your family's preferences, a sleep dentists near me recommends snoring treatment Houston because their dentists advise for medication, surgery, lifestyle changes, or CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) equipment helps improve your child's breathing and quality of sleep at night.
For children older than three, the most common and effective treatment is surgically removing the tonsils and adenoids. Many children are free on the same day and go home.
If a child suffers from a snores problem, is it serious?
Sleep apnea can affect children, too. If your child stops breathing at night or has other symptoms of sleep apnea, you should see sleep apnea dentists near me right away. Children who lack sleep may also have behavioral issues, a short attention span, and subpar academic performance.
If you notice the cause and the symptoms, talk to your doctor, who may refer you to a snore treatment near me or a sleep specialist for more specialized care.
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