Signs That a Child is Suffering From Sleep Apnea

Does your child seem drowsy during the day? Does he or she snore or wake up breathless in the middle of the night? They could have Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) - a chronic condition where breathing stops periodically during sleep because soft tissue is relaxing and obstructing the airway. These periodic stops can happen as many as 20-30 times in an hour and cause a lack of oxygen to the brain, waking up your child so that they restart proper breathing. All that waking up can leave one pretty sleepy the next day - even if they don’t remember waking up!

Untreated, obstructive sleep apnea can affect school work and overall alertness as well as raise your child’s risk of serious health problems down the road. These include:

• High blood pressure
• Stroke
• Heart disease
• Diabetes
• Chronic acid reflux
• Obesity
• and even Depression

According to the American Academy of Otolaryngology (ENTs) sleep disordered breathing affects approximately 12 percent of children.

Luckily, sleep apnea is easily treatable. It just needs to be diagnosed. That’s where you come in: if your child has any of the following symptoms, bring them to see us for a complimentary consultation at Lenz Orthodontics. The earlier the better! Symptoms can be caught and as early as age 3 or 4!  

Here’s what to look for:

• Insomnia or difficulty sleeping (tossing and turning or night sweats)
• Loud snoring at night
• Waking up at night short of breath
• Long pauses in breathing
• Chronic mouth breathing during sleep
• Snorting or choking sounds during the night (indicating a restart of breathing)
• Extreme drowsiness throughout the day
• Changes in mood, misbehaviour or decline in school performance
• Hyperactivity or inattention (in some cases children who are diagnosed with ADHD are actually not hyperactive but rather are showing the clinical symptoms of OSA.

Orthodontists are leading specialists in spotting Sleep Apnea early because of our familiarity and expertise in working with the soft tissue in children’s mouths. Looking for these symptoms also falls neatly in line with the Phase 1 treatment philosophy of promoting proper jaw development for young kids so that braces, when they’ve hit their pre-teen years, are a simpler process.  As both an Orthodontist and parent, Dr. Lenz makes a point of asking all parents if they’ve noticed any of these symptoms when he first consults with new patients.

If your child is exhibiting any of these symptoms, bring them in for a complimentary consultation. If we see signs of sleep apnea we will get your child into the care of a sleep physician who can help with a treatment plan and make sure your kids are sleeping soundly!

While Sleep Apnea can have very serious side effects, it’s very treatable. The most important thing you can do is pay attention and have your child evaluated.

Making the decision about who should treat your child’s mouth is an important one. As a board certified orthodontist, Dr. Mark Lenz has 35 years of experience in orthodontic practice and thousands of beautiful smiles credited to his name. We call it the Lenz Smile!

Please call one of our conveniently located offices (in Racine and Waterford) to schedule an appointment for a complimentary consultation. We offer easy flexible financial installment options. Call us to schedule your appointment today.

Racine Office

1558 South Green Bay Road

Racine, Wisconsin 53406

262.634.6900

Waterford Office

725 Cornerstone Crossing

Waterford, Wisconsin 53185

262.534.3010

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5 THINGS PARENTS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT INVISALIGN TEEN®

Many parents know about Invisalign®, the virtually invisible way to straighten teeth without metal braces. But I’m often asked for more information about Invisalign® Teen.

In short, rather than wires and brackets, Invisalign® Teen uses a series of clear, removable aligners that have been custom-made for your teen’s teeth. Your teen simply wears these aligners over their teeth and changes them out for a new set of aligners periodically—most often every two weeks. Little by little, your teen’s teeth gradually shift into place.

Here are the answers to the top five questions I’m asked about Invisalign Teen. I hope you find it helpful!

1. INVISALIGN TEEN CAN BE AS EFFECTIVE AS TRADITIONAL BRACES.

When worn according to the customized plan I set in place, Invisalign Teen can be as effective as traditional braces. In fact, the chances are very high your teen will be a candidate for Invisalign as it can treat many of the common issues we see. Call us at  262.634.6900 (Racine) or 262.534.3010 (Waterford) to set up an appointment to find out for sure.

2. THERE ARE PRACTICAL ADVANTAGES OF INVISALIGN TEEN OVER TRADITIONAL BRACES.

With Invisalign, the aligners are removable, so your teen can play sports, musical instruments and eat their favorite foods without the worry that braces will get in the way. Plus, it’s much easier to brush and floss normally to maintain proper oral hygiene.

3. AN INVISIBLE SOLUTION CAN BOOST CONFIDENCE.

Research shows that parents underestimate the extent to which teens feel self-conscious about their smile—and their appearance in general. Wearing braces can often make this lack of confidence even worse. Invisalign Teen removes a potential source of anxiety, giving them more confidence during what can be a challenging time in their lives.

4. YOUR TEEN HAS TO WEAR THE ALIGNERS MOST OF THE DAY.

Invisalign Teen is most effective when worn 20 to 22 hours per day and changed approximately every two weeks. In fact, Invisalign Teen aligners have blue indicators that fade over time when used as directed so I can track compliance.

5. YOU’LL SPEND LESS TIME AT MY OFFICE THAN WITH TRADITIONAL BRACES.

Invisalign Teen often requires less time with your orthodontist than traditional braces do. There are no adjustments to make, no brackets to re-glue and no broken wires to fix. After the initial appointment, follow-up appointments are usually scheduled every four to six weeks.

Making the decision about who should treat your child’s mouth is an important one. Dr. Mark Lenz is board certified, has 35 years of experience in orthodontic practice and thousands of beautiful smiles credited to his name. We call it the Lenz Smile!

Please call one of our conveniently located offices (in Racine and Waterford) to schedule an appointment for a complimentary consultation. We offer easy monthly installment options. Call us today to get your teen the smile they’ve always wanted!

Racine Office

1558 South Green Bay Road

Racine, Wisconsin 53406

262.634.6900

Waterford Office

725 Cornerstone Crossing

Waterford, Wisconsin 53185

262.534.3010

Perfect Summer Recipe For Braces

By avoiding sticky sweets and sugary beverages, Lenz Orthodontics will provide you with snack choices that are fit for orthodontic patients and promote overall wellness and health! All summer long, check here for healthy new summer snack recipes!

Strawberry Mango Chia Popsicles
Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups strawberries (fresh or frozen)
• 1 1/2 cup mango pieces (fresh or frozen)
• 1 1/4 cup coconut water
• 4 tsp chia seeds
• 1 tsp honey

Instructions

1. Puree strawberries (fresh or frozen) with half of the coconut water in a blender or food processor. Taste the mixture and blend in honey to desired sweetness, if needed. Stir in 2 tsp of chia seeds. Set aside.
2. Puree mango (fresh or frozen) with the other half of the coconut water in a blender or food processor. Taste the mixture and blend in honey to desired sweetness, if needed. Stir in the remaining 2 tsp of chia seeds.
3. Alternately pour each fruit mixture (for a marbled look) into popsicle molds and freeze until set.

Enter Your Dad NOW!

We want to hear all about your dad's this JUNE! This Sunday marks Father's Day, so Lenz Orthodontics is giving you the chance to win some rewards points you can cash in for a gift card! Head to our website right now to enter your dad as Father of the Year! All you have to do is tell us a story about why you love him and why he makes you smile!

Click here to enter now! Good Luck! DEADLINE IS JUNE 30th!

One Visit Can Be Life Changing

We recognize that every patient has different needs, and we pride ourselves in the courteous service we deliver to each person who walks through our doors. Whether you're an adult, adolescent or child, our knowledgeable doctor and staff are committed to helping you achieve the smile you deserve.

Did you know orthodontic treatment is not just for cosmetic purposes?

Having a good bite not only makes it easier to eat and speak but will enhance your dental and overall health as well. Straight teeth aren’t just pretty, they’re healthy too. Teeth that are properly aligned are easier to clean reducing the risk of gingivitis and periodontal disease.

With locations in Racine and Waterford, Wisconsin, our practices’ top priority is to provide you the highest quality orthodontic care. We utilize the latest technological advances in the industry, such as Damon System Braces and Invisalign, along with the latest in computer technology to ensure that you receive the most effective care possible.Give us a call at our convenient locations to schedule your FREE consultation today!

It's Never Too Early

Photo Provided by heart.org

As a father himself, Dr. Lenz understands children can be intimidated by dental environments and believes it's important to make them feel comfortable and safe. And that is why so many children end up loving their visits to Lenz Orthodontics! 

To help your child achieve a healthy, beautiful, straight smile for life, it is advised that they visit our practice at around the age of seven for an orthodontic assessment. By this age, many problems can be identified and dealt with. 

Malocclusions (“bad bites”) like those listed below usually benefit from early diagnosis. Please, check with Dr. Lenz if you notice any of the following in your child: 

• Early or late loss of baby teeth
• Difficulty in chewing or biting
• Mouth breathing
• Jaws that shift or make sounds
• Speech difficulties
• Biting the cheek or the roof of the mouth
• Facial imbalance
• Grinding or clenching of the teeth

Is your child a candidate for early orthodontic treatment? If you think so or aren't sure, contact us to schedule an examination at Lenz Orthodontics. Through an early orthodontic evaluation, you will be giving your child the best opportunity for a beautiful, healthy smile. 

Lenz Orthodontics has two locations to serve you...Racine and Waterford, Wisconsin and we treat patients from Rochester, Yorkville, Mt Pleasant, Oak Creek, Wauwatosa, Milwaukee, New Berlin, Pleasant Praire, Kenosha, Franklin, Salem and surrounding areas. We strive to help patients of all ages achieve beautiful, healthy, confident smiles! Call at 262-634-6900 or 262-534-3010.