According to pediatricians, depending on age, children should get a minimum of about 10 hours of sleep each night. Of course, a little more or a little less probably won’t cause much trouble, especially during the summer, but now that it’s fall again, getting that vital rest is of extra importance- especially for school aged children. But sometimes, no matter how late or early we send our kids to bed, they can’t fall asleep – or stay asleep. While some problems, like monsters under the bed, will go away with time, other problems are more permanent and more serious. Here’s what you need to know about your kids and the importance of getting a good night’s sleep.
It’s Raining, It’s Pouring …
It may be one thing if an old man is snoring, but generally speaking kids should not snore. A snoring child or teen can often be a sign of a larger undiagnosed problem, such as a cold, sleep apnea, or the need to remove tonsils or adenoids.
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a condition wherein the person with the apnea stops and restarts breathing over and over throughout the night- sometimes dozens of times in an hour. In addition to hampering breathing, sleep apnea causes the affected to wake repeatedly, leaving them feeling tired and sluggish throughout the day, making it hard to focus or stay awake during school and other activities.
If you hear your child snoring or taking large pauses in breaths as he or she sleeps, contact Dr. Abelar about scheduling a sleep evaluation.
Tonsil and Adenoid Removal
Tonsil and adenoid removal is done to get rid of enlarged tonsils and adenoids that have become enlarged due to multiple throat infections. Though not necessary for everyone, removing these tissues can help make breathing – and sleeping – a lot easier.
Tooth Problems
If your child cannot focus at school or sleep at night due to untreated tooth pain, it’s time to schedule an appointment with Dr. Abelar. According to USC’s Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry, children miss on average 2.1 days of school per year due to poor oral health! Furthermore, kids with untreated oral health problems were four times likelier to have a low GPA than kids without oral pain.
If your child is not getting the required amount of sleep due to an oral health issue, contact Dr. Abelar’s office and schedule an appointment today. We can be reached at 858-866-9692.
