HealthyStart® – Fuquay-Varina, NC
Braces-Free Orthodontics
for Kids
Roughly 10% of children snore regularly, and 2 – 4% of them have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). These forms of sleep disordered breathing (SDB) can affect a young one’s overall health, their school performance, and more. Often, SDB is caused by bad habits and improper development of the oral structures. Is there a way to correct such issues at an early age? Yes! The HealthyStart® system guides the development of the teeth and jaw. It may play a large role in stopping SDB and even in preventing the need for braces in the future. Let’s talk more about HealthyStart® in Fuquay-Varina.
Why Choose Langworthy Family Dentistry for HealthyStart®?
- Not Offered at All Local Practices
- Kid-Friendly Environment
- Cost-Effective Treatment
What Is HealthyStart®?
HealthyStart® is a form of children’s orthodontics in Fuquay-Varina. It uses custom oral appliances to guide the development of a child’s teeth and jaw. Unlike traditional orthodontics, HealthyStart® appliances are soft and removable. They also play a role in training children to stop bad habits, such as mouth breathing and improper tongue positioning.
Benefits of HealthyStart®
Some of the top benefits of HealthyStart® include:
- It guides new teeth so they erupt in their proper places. In many cases, this can prevent the need for braces in the future (or make future orthodontic treatment less extensive).
- It trains the oral structures. HealthyStart® helps to correct many common bad habits that can affect children’s oral development.
- It facilitates proper breathing. HealthyStart® can expand the dental arches, contributing to an upper airway that is large enough to work without hindrance during sleep.
- It can reduce or eliminate symptoms associated with SDB. Children with SDB and children’s sleep apnea in Fuquay-Varina breathing may be more likely to wet their beds, have poor school performance, and struggle to stay focused. A properly developed airway may play a role in addressing such issues.
- It is cost-effective. In most cases, HealthyStart® costs much less than traditional braces.
How It Works
To find out if your child is a candidate for HealthyStart®, schedule a consultation with our team. We will evaluate your little one’s oral structures and learn about their symptoms before we recommend a treatment. If HealthyStart® is right for them, we will design and order their custom appliances. Once you receive the appliances, it is important that you work with your child to make sure they comply with treatment instructions. They will need to engage in active wear time (oral exercises while wearing their appliances) in addition to wearing their appliances during sleep as a children’s night guard in Fuquay-Varina.
The total treatment time with HealthyStart® can vary from patient to patient. However, it is generally much faster than traditional braces.
Would you like to learn more about HealthyStart®? Contact us today to ask questions or request a consultation!
Signs of Children's Sleep Apnea
Although OSA and other forms of SDB are fairly common, it isn’t always obvious that a child is suffering from them. To help you determine whether your little one could benefit from a consultation for HealthyStart® in Fuquay-Varina, we have put together some information on the main signs of OSA and SBD in children:
Hyperactivity & Behavioral Issues
The brain requires adequate rest in order to properly process information and control emotions. A lack of sleep caused by OSA or other sleep disorders can easily interfere with the ability of a child’s brain to function properly. In fact, many children with a sleep disorder may be misdiagnosed as having ADHD. This may occur because the children have difficulty concentrating, are often hyperactive, and tend to get involved in accidents more often than other children.
Other behavioral issues may also result from inadequate sleep. For example, not getting enough rest can interfere with the hormones that regulate emotion, so children with OSA find it extra challenging to control their feelings and impulses.
Bed Wetting & Sleepwalking
Bed wetting is considered to be a problem if it happens more than twice a week after the age of five. It can have many different causes, including infection, stress, and emotional trauma. However, it is also strongly associated with obstructive sleep apnea. Researchers believe this is because OSA can create a chemical imbalance in the brain that contributes to bed wetting.
Sleepwalking is also strongly associated with OSA in both children and adults. The scientific explanation for the correlation remains unknown.
Other Symptoms
Here are some additional signs of children’s sleep apnea that parents should be on the lookout for:
- Loud, frequent snoring. Snoring may be due to something as simple as allergies or a cold, but it is also a hallmark sign of obstructive sleep apnea.
- Growth problems. Growth hormone is released during the deeper stages of sleep, which are the ones most often interrupted by OSA. Therefore, children with sleep apnea may be unusually small for their age.
- Frequent napping. By the time they are old enough to attend school, most children no longer require naps. Napping may be an indication that the quality of their nighttime sleep is poor.
- Extreme movements during sleep. Children with sleep apnea may be more likely to end up sleeping upside down in the bed or parallel to the headboard. They may frequently twist their covers or throw their covers on the floor.
How HealthyStart® Can Help with Children’s Sleep Apnea
Children’s sleep apnea in Fuquay-Varina can be due to a number of different factors. Frequently, though, it stems from improper development of the oral structures. For example, narrow dental arches can interfere with functioning of the upper airway. Improper tongue placement might also play a role. HealthyStart® can widen the dental arches and help to correct habits, such as tongue thrust, that can contribute to OSA. This treatment could set your child up for a lifetime of restful nights!