Is it normal for my child to be snoring?
Light, infrequent snoring is a common occurrence in children.
Snoring is concerning if it is frequent, severe in nature, and accompanied by behavioral or other health issues. It could be a sign of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) - a condition where breathing stops for short periods while asleep.
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) highlights the following symptoms that should raise a red flag for possible Obstructive Sleep Apnea -
Excessive daytime sleepiness.
Loud snoring three or more nights per week.
Episodes of breathing cessation witnessed by another person.
Abrupt awakenings accompanied by shortness of breath.
Awakening with a dry mouth or sore throat.
Morning headache.
Difficulty staying asleep.
Attention problems.
Mouth breathing.
Sweating.
Restlessness.
Waking up a lot.
Enlarged tonsils/adenoids and obesity are major risk factors for OSA in otherwise healthy children.
Your dentist would work in collaboration with a pediatrician and a sleep physician to ensure the right treatment option for your child.
Treatment for OSA could range from medication for nasal allergies, weight reduction, improved sleep hygiene, oral appliance to expand the jaw or reposition the tongue, or surgical removal of enlarged tonsils/adenoids.
Sleep hygiene improvements include setting a consistent sleep schedule, reducing light exposure and screen time before bed, and setting up your child’s bedroom to be as quiet and comfortable as possible.
Early diagnosis can help prevent other health problems, so if you are concerned, do not hesitate to bring it up with your child’s dentist or pediatrician.