As parents, we often dismiss bedwetting as a normal part of childhood development. While occasional accidents are indeed common, persistent bedwetting combined with other symptoms might signal a deeper issue: sleep-disordered breathing.
At Dee For Dentist, we’ve seen countless children whose bedwetting dramatically improved once we addressed their breathing problems during sleep. To ensure your little one gets the help they need, contact our office to find out if their bedwetting may be more than just a few nightmares or a fear of getting up in the dark.
The Hidden Connection Between Sleep and Bedwetting
Many parents don’t realize that bedwetting can be directly linked to how well their child sleeps and breathes at night. When children struggle to breathe properly during sleep, their bodies produce stress hormones that interfere with normal bladder control. The connection becomes clear when we understand that proper sleep is essential for the body’s natural hormone regulation, including those that control nighttime bladder function.
Sleep-disordered breathing in children isn’t the same as adult sleep apnea. While adults have developed airways that are essentially fixed in size, children are still growing and developing. This means we have a window of opportunity to guide their growth in a way that prevents future problems.
Recognizing the Warning Signs of Sleep-Disordered Breathing
At our Las Vegas practice, we encourage parents to look for these symptoms that often appear together:
Sleep-Related Symptoms
Kids and sleep historically do not always go together. Let’s face it, it is no fun going to bed when there are games to play and movies to watch! However, if you notice sleep-related symptoms that are deeper than just a childlike aversion to bedtime, it may be a sign of something more serious going on.
- Frequent bedwetting past age 5
- Restless sleep or tossing and turning
- Snoring or heavy breathing during sleep
- Frequent waking during the night
- Morning headaches
If you notice these symptoms in your child, it may be time to give our office a call.
Daytime Behaviors
If your child is exhibiting symptoms during the daytime, as well as, symptoms related to their sleep habits, you should consider whether they are dealing with sleep-disordered breathing:
- Difficulty focusing or attention deficit issues
- Irritability or mood swings
- Mouth breathing during the day
- Chronic fatigue despite adequate sleep time
When multiple symptoms appear together, it’s often a sign that your child’s airway isn’t functioning optimally during sleep.
Understanding Sleep-Disordered Breathing in Children
Think of a healthy airway like a boba straw, wide and open, allowing plenty of airflow. In children with sleep-disordered breathing, that airway might be as narrow as a coffee stirrer. This restriction forces their bodies to work harder to breathe, disrupting deep sleep cycles and triggering a cascade of problems, including bedwetting.
Unlike adult sleep apnea, which typically requires lifelong management with devices like CPAP machines, children’s sleep-disordered breathing can often be corrected through early intervention while their jaws and airways are still developing.
The Healthy Start Approach We Use For Our Patients
At Dee For Dentist, we specialize in Healthy Start therapy for children aged 2 through 12. This innovative treatment uses soft oral appliances to guide proper jaw and airway development during these crucial growing years.
The process works by:
- Encouraging proper tongue posture and breathing patterns
- Guiding jaw growth to create adequate space for the airway
- Promoting nasal breathing instead of mouth breathing
- Supporting natural tooth alignment as permanent teeth emerge
Our patients typically wear these comfortable appliances for just a couple of hours during the day and at night. The results often include not only reduced bedwetting but also improved focus, better mood regulation, and straighter teeth—all without traditional orthodontic treatment.
Schedule Your Child’s Sleep-Disordered Breathing Assessment Today
At Dee For Dentist, we believe in catching these issues early when treatment can be most effective. Our experienced team provides comprehensive evaluations to determine whether your child’s bedwetting and other symptoms stem from sleep-disordered breathing.
Don’t wait for your child to “outgrow” symptoms that might indicate a treatable condition. Contact our Las Vegas office to schedule a consultation and learn whether Healthy Start therapy could help your child achieve better sleep, improved daytime behavior, and freedom from bedwetting. Ready to help your child sleep better and stay dry through the night? Call Dee For Dentist at (702) 586-7800 for our Silverado Ranch location or (702) 870-3818 for our Medical District office. You can also contact us online to schedule your consultation today.
