While She Lay Sleeping

Apr 25

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Cuddling her favorite, well-loved friend… Is there anything more peaceful, more serene, than watching a child sleep? With every breath she takes, your chest fills with love. Yet, every night, as you tuck her into bed, wish her “sweet dreams,” and hold in your heart the hope that she grows into her fullest potential, sleep can bring hidden dangers.

Airway disorders and disordered breathing can silently impact your child’s health, development, and even rob them of their beautiful smiles. Understanding these risks, recognizing the signs, and knowing where to seek help can make all the difference.

Child peacefully sleeping, hugging a pink heart-patterned stuffed animal on a fluffy peach pillow in a softly lit room.

What Are Airway Disorders in Children?

Airway disorders occur when a child’s airway is obstructed or damaged, making it difficult to breathe, eat, swallow, or experience restorative sleep. These issues can be present at birth or develop over time due to infections, injuries, or anatomical differences. The airway includes the nose, throat, windpipe, and the passages into the lungs.

Cross-section of a head showing nasal passage, tongue, and airway structures. Labeled parts include the nose, larynx, and epiglottis.

Potential Dangers of Airway and Breathing Disorders

Interrupted Sleep: Conditions like obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) cause children to stop breathing multiple times per night, reducing oxygen levels and disrupting deep, restorative sleep.
Behavioral and Learning Problems: Poor sleep quality can lead to daytime sleepiness, hyperactivity, trouble paying attention, and even misdiagnoses of ADHD.
Growth and Heart Issues: Untreated airway disorders can slow growth, cause bedwetting, and increase the risk of heart problems and high blood pressure.
Dental and Facial Development: Chronic mouth breathing and airway obstruction can lead to crooked teeth, narrow jaws, and changes in facial structure, sometimes requiring orthodontic treatment later.

Common Airway Disorders in Kids

Disorder	Description & Risk
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)	Blocked airway during sleep, snoring, restless sleep, learning/behavior issues.
Mouth Breathing	Habitual mouth breathing, dry mouth, dental issues, facial changes.
Enlarged Tonsils/Adenoids	Can block airway, cause snoring, restless sleep, and mouth breathing.
Tongue/Lip Tie	Limits tongue/lip movement, affects feeding, speech, and airway.
Stridor/Noisy Breathing	High-pitched breathing, often signals airway narrowing or blockage.

Signs and Symptoms to Watch For:

⚠️ Loud snoring, gasping, or choking during sleep

⚠️ Pauses in breathing or very restless sleep

⚠️ Sleeping in unusual positions (neck extended, sitting up)

⚠️ Mouth breathing, especially at night

⚠️ Bedwetting after staying dry for months

⚠️ Daytime sleepiness, irritability, or hyperactivity

⚠️ Trouble waking up or staying awake during the day

⚠️ Poor school performance or behavioral issues

⚠️ Frequent sore throats, dry lips, or dental problems

Girl in a pink striped shirt joyfully stretches her arms by a lake, under a cloudy sky, with lush trees in the background and breathing deeply.

Why Pediatric Dentists Play a Key Role

Many airway disorders show up first in the mouth and jaw. Pediatric dentists trained in airway health can spot early signs—like a narrow palate, crowded teeth, or enlarged tonsils—during routine dental exams. They assess soft tissues, tongue position, palate shape, and jaw alignment, often catching problems that pediatricians may overlook, since most pediatricians are not specifically trained to diagnose airway-related dental and facial growth issues.

“When parents worry about the developmental milestones in their children’s life, top-of-mind should always be breathing and sleep. Without proper nasal breathing and good, quality sleep, important milestones in a child’s life — such as speech, reading, playing, and getting along with others — will all be compromised, including resistance to illnesses and the ability to learn and reason. We take our first breaths in the first few seconds of life, and it is the last thing to leave us in the end. What is more important than breathing?” - Dr. George Rivera

What Should Parents Do?

Observe: Pay attention to your child’s sleep and daytime behavior for any of the signs above.
Ask: If you have concerns, ask your pediatrician, and consult a pediatric dentist who specializes in airway health.
Act Early: Early intervention can help prevent years of health and learning difficulties.

"At Risk Checklist" with questions about child's sleep and dental issues on lined paper. Includes checkboxes and purple text.

Don’t wait if you have concerns. Airway disorders in children are common, but with early detection and the proper care, your child can grow and thrive. A pediatric dentist with airway expertise can be a vital partner in your child’s health journey—sometimes seeing what others miss and helping your child grow up healthy, happy, and well-rested.

While she lay sleeping, her body and mind are hard at work — growing, healing, and learning. So, look for the signs. Trust your instincts. Reach out to a pediatric airway dentist… because your child deserves to sleep soundly, breathe freely, and wake up ready to take on the world.

If you need help locating airway focused providers near you, reach out to our Community Engagement Manager, Christi, at christi@childrensairwayfirst.org.