At Lenz Orthodontics we pride ourselves in being an “airway aware” orthodontic
practice. We think it’s important to ask yourself the below questions about your child’s
sleep habits - they can be very telling. If you notice any of the below signs, we
encourage you to come visit our practice for a complimentary consultation where we
can evaluate your child’s airway as well as their orthodontic needs.
5 Questions to ask yourself about your child’s sleep:
Does your child snore at night?
Does your child take long pauses in breathing while sleeping?
Does your child breathe through their mouth rather than through the nose?
Does your child experience drowsiness/tiredness during the day?
Does your child exhibit a change in behavior and/or a decline in school performance?
If your child is exhibiting any of these symptoms, it may be a sign that they are suffering
from sleep disordered breathing (SDB) or even obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
What is OSA?
OSA is a common sleep disorder that affects approximately 6 percent of children. It’s
caused by a partial or complete blockage of the airways while sleeping. During sleep,
your child’s throat muscles relax allowing the tongue and fatty tissues of the throat to fall back into the airways and block airflow. During a sleep apnea event, air is restricted
from moving beyond the blockage or restriction that ultimately reduces blood flow to the brain. As a result, the brain is signaled to partially awaken from sleep to tell the body it needs to breathe. This usually results in a loud gasping, choking, or snorting sounds as
the child takes a deep enough breath to fight past the obstruction. It is this process that
prevents your child from getting the restful and replenishing sleep they require.
While this condition can be improved, it is often left untreated because parents aren’t
aware of the warning signs. So, how do you know if your kid actually has OSA or if they
are symptoms of something else? Visit Lenz Orthodontics for an airway evaluation. Due
to their expertise and familiarity with growth and development as well as orthopedic and surgical correction of the jaws, “airway aware” orthodontists are ideally suited to identify the symptoms of OSA.
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At Lenz Orthodontics we strive to provide the highest quality orthodontic treatment but also ensure Incredible customer service and make you feel like you’re at home while you’re visiting us. We’re the friendliest, most fun orthodontic office around. Come by and meet me, Dr. Mike, my father, Dr. Mark Lenz and the entire staff to see what we mean!
Click below to schedule a complimentary consultation - we can’t wait to meet you and your child!
Racine Office
1558 South Green Bay Road
Racine, Wisconsin 53406
Waterford Office
725 Cornerstone Crossing
Waterford, Wisconsin 53185
