Child Breathing and Wellness

Sunshine Dentistry is dedicated to helping your child thrive. Our award-winning pediatric dentists provide treatment for sleep disordered breathing in Cape May Court House. Send us a message or call 609-465-5415 to book an appointment.

Sleep-disordered breathing is a term that covers a broad spectrum of conditions children may experience while sleeping.  Examples of sleep-disordered breathing include loud snoring, obstructive sleep apnea, and mouth breathing. Sleep-disordered breathing can prevent your child from receiving the uninterrupted sleep they need for proper development.

In young people, sleep disordered breathing may be caused by:

• Crooked and crowded teeth
• Improper bite 
• Underdeveloped jaw
• Relaxation of the soft tissues in the back of the throat while the child is sleeping
• Enlarged adenoids
• Enlarged tonsils 
• Structural deficiencies
• Neuromuscular conditions including Cerebral Palsy
• Inherited condition (family history of sleep apnea)
• Large tongue

If your child is suffering from sleep disordered breathing they may present symptoms such as:

• Pausing between breaths while sleeping 
• Coughing while sleeping
• Gurgling or choking while sleeping
• Gasping while sleeping
• Slow heartbeat
• Loud snoring
• Wetting the bed
• Daytime fatigue
• Tonsillitis
• Frequent ear infections
• Frequent sinus infections
• Restless sleep
• Unusual sleeping positions

Getting enough quality sleep is essential for children and adults alike. When children do not sleep soundly or do not receive enough oxygen while sleeping, their overall health and well-being can be compromised. Risks of sleep disordered breathing in children may include:

• Irritability
• Difficulty concentrating
• Delayed growth and development
• Problems with memory
• Cardiovascular problems (arrhythmias)
• Respiratory problems
• High blood pressure

Dentists provide treatment for sleep disordered breathing in children if the cause is a restricted airway. Treatments for sleep disordered breathing available at Sunshine Dentistry include Prosomnus oral appliances that push the lower jaw forward. This keeps the airway open while your child sleeps.

The Vivos pediatric oral device is also offered to eligible patients. The Vivos device works by enlarging the soft palate and the lower jaw, thereby creating more space and an unobstructed airway for your child. 

Sunshine Dentistry specializes in breathing and wellness for young patients. Because oral conditions are often to blame for sleep disordered breathing, your child may be referred to a dentist instead of a physician for oral appliance therapy.

As an all-age dental practice, Sunshine Dentistry was recognized as a 2022 Best of Jersey Shore provider in the categories of Pediatric Dentist, Dentist, and Cosmetic Dentist. Our dentists are also included in lists of New Jersey’s Top Doctors in the field of Dentistry. 

To best serve busy working parents and their children, we offer appointments beginning at 7:00 am several days each week. We also see patients until 7:00 pm Monday- Thursday.

If you’re concerned that your child isn’t getting the quality, uninterrupted sleep they need, contact Sunshine Dentistry. Our pediatric dentists will evaluate your child’s jaw, airway, and bite to determine if an oral condition is to blame and design a custom treatment plan to help your child get the sleep they need. Send us a message to book an appointment or call 609-465-5415.