Why Should Jaw Development Be Closely Monitored in Children Who Snore?
Prof. Dr. Mehmet Oğuz Öztoprak’s functional jaw orthopaedics and airway approach.
Many parents notice that their children snore at night. However, this is often not taken seriously. Thoughts such as "His father snores too.", "He’ll grow out of it." and "He’s snoring because he’s tired." are quite common.
However, regular snoring in childhood should not always be considered normal. Because in some children snoring is not just a sleep problem but can be a sign of a broader functional picture related to the airway and jaw development. For this reason we have to ask: In a child who snores, is only sleep affected, or could the growth and development process also be affected?
Is Snoring Normal in Children?
Occasional mild snoring can occur in any child. However, snoring in the following situations should definitely be evaluated:
- Recurring several times a week
- Becoming regular
- Accompanied by pauses in breathing
- Accompanied by restless sleep
Because in childhood, snoring can sometimes be the first sign of functional problems in the upper airway.
The Relationship Between Snoring and the Airway
During healthy sleep, the airway should remain open. However, in some children airflow can be hindered due to:
- Enlarged adenoids
- Enlarged tonsils
- Nasal obstruction
- Allergic problems
- A narrow upper jaw
- Airway narrowing
In this case, snoring can occur. For this reason, snoring is not just a sound but can be an important clue about how the airway works.
Jaw Development and Breathing Take Shape Together
During childhood, the facial and jaw bones continue to grow. This growth process is not influenced only by genetic factors. The following can also play a role in development:
- The way of breathing
- Tongue position
- Muscle functions
- The swallowing pattern
- Mouth or nasal breathing habits
For this reason, jaw development should also be closely monitored in some children with airway problems.
Which Findings May Be Seen in Children Who Snore?
In some children, the following findings may be seen together with snoring:
- Sleeping with the mouth open
- Waking up tired in the morning
- Daytime sleepiness
- Difficulty with attention and concentration
- Hyperactivity-like behaviour
- Nasal obstruction
- A narrow upper jaw
- Crossbite
- A long face appearance
These signs do not provide a diagnosis on their own. However, they may indicate that the child needs a more detailed evaluation.
Why Is Sleep Quality So Important?
A significant part of growth and development in childhood takes place during sleep. Quality sleep is of critical importance for:
- Learning
- Memory
- Attention
- Growth
- Physical recovery
For this reason, it is important to detect problems that can affect sleep quality at an early stage.
Is There a Relationship Between a Narrow Upper Jaw and Snoring?
The upper jaw also forms the floor of the nasal cavity. For this reason, there is an anatomical relationship between the development of the upper jaw and the nasal airway. In some children, a narrow upper jaw and mouth breathing can be seen together.
This is not valid for every child. However, it is important to take upper jaw development into account during airway evaluation.
Prof. Dr. Mehmet Oğuz Öztoprak’s Approach
In our clinic, children who snore are not evaluated only in terms of tooth alignment. At the same time, the following are evaluated as a whole:
- The way of breathing
- Airway structure
- Upper jaw development
- Tongue position
- Occlusal relationships
- Jaw joint functions
- Posture
- Sleep-related symptoms
The aim is not only to correct the teeth, but to identify at an early stage the functional factors that can affect the growth and development process.
Why Is Functional Jaw Orthopaedics Important?
Functional jaw orthopaedics does not focus only on correcting tooth alignment. This approach evaluates the relationship between the following together:
- Jaw development
- Breathing functions
- The airway
- The muscle system
- Facial development
Especially in children in the growth period, early evaluation can contribute to a healthier guidance of the development process.
Conclusion
Snoring in children is not always a simple habit. In some children it can be a sign of a broader picture related to the airway, breathing functions, jaw development and sleep quality.
For this reason, in children who snore regularly, attention should be paid not only to the snoring itself but also to how the child breathes, how they sleep and how jaw development is progressing.
Because sometimes a snoring sound heard at night can be an important message that the growth and development process gives us.
If you are also curious about the relationship between mouth breathing, attention and facial development in children, you can read our article "Why Might Attention, Concentration and Facial Development Be Affected in Children Who Breathe Through Their Mouth?"
Frequently Asked Questions
Is snoring normal in children?
Occasional mild snoring can occur in any child. However, snoring that recurs several times a week, becomes regular, is accompanied by pauses in breathing or restless sleep should definitely be evaluated, because it can sometimes be the first sign of functional problems in the upper airway.
What causes snoring in children?
Airflow can be hindered by enlarged adenoids, enlarged tonsils, nasal obstruction, allergic problems, a narrow upper jaw and airway narrowing, which can lead to snoring.
Is there a relationship between snoring and jaw development?
As facial and jaw bones grow during childhood, not only genetics but also the way of breathing, tongue position, muscle functions and the swallowing pattern can play a role. For this reason, jaw development should be closely monitored in some children with airway problems.
Which findings may be seen in a child who snores?
Sleeping with the mouth open, waking up tired in the morning, daytime sleepiness, difficulty with attention and concentration, hyperactivity-like behaviour, nasal obstruction, a narrow upper jaw, crossbite and a long face appearance may be seen. These signs do not provide a diagnosis on their own but may indicate the need for a more detailed evaluation.
Is there a relationship between a narrow upper jaw and snoring?
Because the upper jaw also forms the floor of the nasal cavity, there is an anatomical relationship between upper jaw development and the nasal airway. In some children, a narrow upper jaw and mouth breathing can be seen together, so upper jaw development should be considered during airway evaluation.
What is the approach in children who snore?
Not only tooth alignment; the way of breathing, airway structure, upper jaw development, tongue position, occlusal relationships, jaw joint functions, posture and sleep symptoms are evaluated as a whole. The aim is to identify functional factors that may affect the development process early.