Pediatric Sleep & Airway Health

Addressing pediatric sleep disordered breathing

Pediatric Airway Concerns

Pediatric airway issues are a prevalent concern in today's society, demanding increased attention to recognize their red flags. Pediatric Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB) manifests when a child fails to achieve restful, quality sleep.

At Mailloux Dentistry, we prioritize the assessment of pediatric sleep, employing thorough screenings and 3D imaging to evaluate your child's airway and its impact on overall health.

Red Flags to Watch:

  • Still: A child should rest peacefully without excessive movement or falling out of bed.

  • Silent: Audible breathing, snoring, or irregular loud breathing patterns are indicators of concern.

  • Dry: Absence of sweating and bedwetting beyond potty training age is crucial.

Failure to meet these goals often places children in a sympathetic (fight or flight) mode throughout the night, leading to a range of issues, including poor growth, morning fatigue, moodiness, dark under eyes, ADHD-like behavior, obesity, and academic challenges.

Our Comprehensive Approach

At Mailloux Dentistry, we proactively screen for sleep concerns and growth restrictions, collaborating with other providers such as ENT specialists, speech therapists, myofunctional therapists, and more. For children starting at 3 years old, we offer palatal expansion when indicated, working extensively with myofunctional therapists. It's crucial to address these concerns early, as children may not outgrow the problem but instead learn to cope and adapt. Our ultimate goal is to restore proper nasal health, encourage optimal breathing, and promote a wide, forward jaw structure for improved oxygen intake and overall health.

For inquiries about your child's sleep, breathing, and airway concerns, contact us at (616) 392-3717 to schedule an evaluation. We look forward to helping your child attain the quality sleep they deserve.