What Is Pediatric Sleep Apnea?

Pediatric sleep apnea happens when a child’s breathing pauses repeatedly during sleep. These interruptions may occur dozens or even hundreds of times a night, leading to fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and challenges with learning and development.

Sleep apnea looks very different in children compared to adults. Adults often show symptoms like loud snoring and daytime drowsiness. Children, on the other hand, may appear hyperactive, fidgety, or disruptive in school instead of sluggish. They may also struggle with frequent illness, dark circles under the eyes, or persistent bedwetting. Because the signs aren’t always what parents expect, pediatric sleep apnea often goes undiagnosed.

At our Columbus, Ohio dental office, we encourage parents to take even subtle symptoms seriously. Snoring is one of the most common red flags for people of all ages. If your child snores, grinds their teeth, or breathes through their mouth at night, it may be time to have them screened for sleep-disordered breathing.

Causes and Risk Factors

Pediatric sleep apnea can develop for many reasons. Some of the most common causes and risk factors include:

  • Enlarged tonsils or adenoids
  • Chronic nasal congestion or allergies
  • Narrow palate or jaw development issues
  • Poor tongue posture
  • Habitual mouth breathing

Many children in Columbus, Ohio face one or more of these issues, but few are screened early. Identifying them promptly makes treatment easier and more effective.

Signs and Symptoms Parents Should Watch For

Children with sleep-disordered breathing often show symptoms that are easy to mistake for other conditions, unlike some adults. Warning signs may include:

  • Snoring or noisy breathing at night
  • Restless sleep, frequent awakenings, or night sweats
  • Mouth breathing or sleeping with an open mouth
  • Bedwetting that persists or returns after age 6
  • Daytime hyperactivity, irritability, or trouble focusing
  • Frequent colds, ear infections, or allergies

Because pediatric sleep apnea can mimic ADHD or other behavioral disorders, many families don’t realize sleep is the root cause. If your child shows these symptoms, contact our Columbus, Ohio dental office at (614) 848-5001 to schedule a screening.

How Pediatric Sleep Apnea Is Diagnosed

Dentists trained in airway health play an important role in identifying sleep apnea in children. During an evaluation, we look at the development of the jaw, tongue posture, and airway size. If we suspect sleep apnea, we work closely with your pediatrician or a sleep physician to confirm the diagnosis with a sleep study.

Our Columbus, Ohio dental practice takes a collaborative approach, ensuring your child gets an accurate diagnosis and a treatment plan designed for long-term health.

Treatment Options for Pediatric Sleep Apnea in Columbus, Ohio

Every child’s needs are different, but our goal is always the same: to help them breathe easily and get the restorative sleep they need to thrive.

One of the most effective treatments we offer as part of our dental care in Columbus, Ohio is the Healthy Start program. This gentle, non-invasive alternative to braces or headgear uses soft, removable aligners that your child wears at night. These appliances:

  • Guide natural growth of the jaw and airway
  • Train the tongue to rest in a healthy position
  • Encourage nasal breathing instead of mouth breathing
  • Straighten crooked teeth and reduce the need for braces later

Healthy Start is comfortable, insurance-friendly, and can begin as early as age two, making it an excellent option for early intervention. In some cases, we may also coordinate with ENTs for tonsil or adenoid evaluation or recommend orthodontic treatments to support airway development.

Families looking for pediatric sleep apnea treatment in Columbus, Ohio trust Dr. Michael Firouzian to provide personalized care in a compassionate environment.

Why Choose Dr. Michael Firouzian

Dr. Michael Firouzian has been helping Columbus families since 1995. As a member of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, he brings advanced training to pediatric sleep apnea care. Parents appreciate his commitment to whole-child health, not just symptom relief.

By combining dental expertise with an understanding of airway development, Dr. Firouzian offers treatment that improves both sleep quality and long-term growth.

Frequently Asked Questions

While children may snore, grind their teeth, or breathe through their mouth at night, symptoms aren’t always obvious. Some kids show hyperactivity or irritability instead of tiredness. Bedwetting and frequent illness can also signal an underlying sleep problem.

Yes. Poor-quality sleep makes it harder for children to focus, remember lessons, and regulate behavior in class. Many parents are surprised to learn that academic struggles or classroom disruptions may actually be linked to sleep apnea.

Causes vary but often include enlarged tonsils or adenoids, chronic allergies, poor tongue posture, or jaw growth patterns that narrow the airway. At our Columbus, Ohio dental practice, we screen for these factors during your child’s exam.

Many families are able to use insurance benefits for Healthy Start treatment. Our team will review your plan and help you understand coverage so there are no surprises.

Most children do not simply outgrow sleep apnea. Without treatment, the condition can worsen or cause lasting health and developmental problems. Early care is the best way to protect your child’s growth and well-being.

Give Your Child the Rest They Deserve

If you’re searching for trusted pediatric sleep apnea treatment in Columbus, Ohio, our dental office is here to help. Families choose our Columbus, Ohio dental practice because we combine advanced training with a compassionate approach to care.

Call (614) 848-5001 to take the first step toward better sleep and brighter days for your child.