Snoring: Health Problems and Early Treatment

Cedar Rapids and Marion, Iowa

We have all heard someone snoring at one point in time, whether it was Uncle Bob after Thanksgiving dinner laying on the couch, or a child that falls asleep after an exhausting day.  It can seem pretty funny at the time, but snoring is no laughing matter. Snoring is a sign of a blocked or narrowed airway and our attempt to continue to get oxygen as we sleep.

Our airway narrows for a various reasons. The most common one is allergies, whether they are diagnosed or undiagnosed. Allergies cause the tonsils and other tissues to swell, which shrink the airway. When our body falls asleep our muscles relax – and this closes the airway more – causing us to snore as the air moves past the soft tissue.

This inability to get enough oxygen to the body can inhibit a child’s ability to develop properly, and can lead to life-long symptoms such as:

• Behavioral issues
• Learning disabilities
• Growth problems
• Crowded teeth
• Grinding teeth
• Jaw pain
• Lack of memory
• Headaches
• Sleep apnea
• High blood pressure
• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Death

Early Treatment for Snoring is Key

This domino of health problems start at a very early age and can be successfully treated as the child is growing. Your dentist, if properly trained, can be one of the first to recognize potential airway and growth problems.

Dr. McLaughlin has three young children and is very passionate about helping children grow to reach their full potential. He and the Dental Touch team have expanded their education to understand the importance of growth and development of the jaw in relationship to the airway. Dr. McLaughlin has successfully treated many children with the proper timing and use of appliances that works with their own growth and development.

As parents, we all want the best for our children and want them to grow up happy and healthy. The airway is one area that has been overlooked for so long and early intervention can have the biggest impact on your child's life.

If your child is struggling, please contact experienced family dentist Dr. McLaughlin for a free airway evaluation in the Cedar Rapids or Marion, Iowa today.