Children and Sleep Apnea
If you’ve noticed that my child breathes through their mouth, snores at night, and has recently been diagnosed with ADHD. Are all these things connected? Should I be concerned about their sleep?
The quick answer is yes—these signs may be more closely linked than you think. Mouth breathing in children is often dismissed as a simple quirk, but it can actually be a sign of underlying problems that affect sleep, growth, and even brain development. Normally, we’re designed to breathe through our noses. Nasal breathing helps filter the air, regulate oxygen and carbon dioxide levels, and promote proper jaw and facial development.
Why Mouth Breathing Matters
When a child breathes through their mouth—especially during sleep—it may be due to issues like: enlarged tonsils or adenoids, chronic nasal congestion or allergies, or a narrow palate or airway. These conditions can cause poor-quality sleep and even sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), a broad term that includes snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
How Sleep Disorders Can Mimic ADHD
It may surprise you to learn that sleep-disordered breathing in children can mimic symptoms of ADHD. That’s right—daytime hyperactivity, trouble concentrating, impulsivity, and even poor academic performance can sometimes be caused by fragmented, poor-quality sleep.
When a child doesn’t get the deep, restorative sleep they need, their brain tries to compensate. Instead of appearing tired, they may become restless, hyperactive, or inattentive—symptoms that overlap significantly with ADHD. In fact, research shows that a significant percentage of children diagnosed with ADHD also have undiagnosed sleep disorders.
When to Talk to a Professional
If your child is breathing through their mouth regularly, snoring or gasping during sleep, waking up tired and cranky, or struggling with focus and hyperactivity, it may be worth digging into their sleep health. A good step is to bring it up with your family doctor as well as their dentist near Comox to discuss your child’s individual case and needs.
Diagnosis and Treatment Options
Before your child can be treated for obstructive sleep apnea, they will often have to do a sleep study to confirm. If confirmed, your doctor may recommend some of the following: removing tonsils, allergy management, orthodontic treatment (braces), or myofunctional therapy to retrain proper tongue and mouth posture.
Helping Your Child Sleep and Thrive
Yes, your child’s mouth breathing, snoring, and ADHD symptoms could all be part of a larger puzzle. The goal is to help your child breathe through their nose, sleep soundly, and wake up refreshed—so they can thrive during the day.
The good news is, with the right support and early intervention, many children see dramatic improvements in both their sleep and behavior. Better sleep could mean better days—for both of you.
Find Expert Children’s Dentistry Near You
At Acreview Dental and Comox Valley Implants, our caring team is experienced in identifying oral health issues that may be linked to sleep-disordered breathing. If you’re looking for trusted children’s dentistry near you or a compassionate dentist near Comox, we’re here to help ensure your child’s oral and overall health are on the right track.
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