Almost 6% of children struggle with sleep-disordered breathing, which puts them at risk for a wide range of health consequences, including developing chronic diseases and poor academic performance. Often, a misaligned bite or crooked teeth is the underlying cause of sleep-disordered breathing.
Many parents are unaware that innovative orthodontic treatments can address their child's sleep-disordered breathing. These methods work by opening up the airways and realigning the teeth and jaw during their developmental stages, potentially reducing the future need for braces.
Continue reading to learn more about HealthyStart® early orthodontic treatment and where to find the best comprehensive dentist in Hayward.
What is HealthyStart® Early Orthodontics?
HealthyStart® offers a comprehensive orthodontic system designed to resolve both dental and sleep-related breathing issues in children. The system utilizes a series of soft, removable dental mouth guards custom-fitted to the child's mouth. These guards are designed to guide the growth and alignment of the teeth and jaws as they develop.
The HealthyStart system targets teeth straightening and tackles the root causes of sleep-disordered breathing by expanding the dental arches and opening the airway. This can alleviate issues such as snoring, mouth breathing, and other sleep-related disturbances.
How Does HealthyStart® Work?
The most common question we get at Del Rio Dental Studio is, “How does HealthyStart work?” HealthyStart harnesses your child’s natural growth and development processes to guide their teeth into the most optimal positions and improve the function of the oral and nasal airways.
This is done with soft, non-toxic dental appliances worn primarily at night and potentially for a few hours during the day, depending on your child’s unique needs. These soft dental appliances look and feel similar to mouth guards and are custom-made to fit your child’s mouth properly.
When worn consistently at night, the appliances gently guide the developing teeth and jaws into their correct positions. This creates a proper bite alignment, which can improve breathing and even straighten teeth without braces.
How Long Does HealthyStart® Treatment Take?
The duration of HealthyStart treatment varies depending on each child’s needs. Some factors that may affect treatment length include:
- The severity of your child’s symptoms
- Your child’s age
- How compliant your child is in wearing their HealthyStart appliance
Regular follow-up appointments are done during your child’s treatment to ensure that the expected progress is being made.
When Is the Best Time for My Child to Start Early Orthodontics?
If your child has symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing, the best time for them to start HealthyStart® is as early as possible. In most cases, this is between the ages of five and seven. HealthyStart takes advantage of your child’s natural growth and development, so the sooner you start treatment, the better.
How Do I Know If My Child Needs Early Orthodontics?
Another common question Dr. Del Rio gets asked often is, “How do I know if my child will benefit from HealthyStart treatment?” The best way for parents to know if they should have their child evaluated for HealthyStart® is to notice if they have any symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing (SBD). Several signs may indicate that your child has SBD, including:
- Difficulty concentrating, which can mimic signs of attention deficit disorder (ADD)
- Disrupted sleep due to frequently waking up
- Snoring or gasping for air when asleep
- Low energy levels due to poor sleep
- Mouth breathing when sleeping
- Bedwetting due to SDB affecting your child’s arousal response
- Emotional behavior, often caused by a lack of proper sleep
- Crooked teeth, including teeth that are crowded or erupt at an angle
- Misaligned bites, including overbite, underbite, or cross-bite
- Poor school performance
Ultimately, the best way to know if your child is a good candidate for HealthyStart is to get evaluated by a dentist with experience in early childhood orthodontics.
Solving Your Child’s Sleep: HealthyStart® Provider in Hayward
HealthyStart is a noninvasive approach to early orthodontics that can not only lead to a healthier smile but also help your child get better sleep, which is essential for a child's development, academic performance, and day-to-day functioning.
Dr. Del Rio has a special interest in caring for children who struggle with sleep-disordered breathing. As a HealthyStart provider, Dr. Del Rio is committed to resolving your child’s symptoms in a warm and comforting environment, using pain-free techniques and the latest pediatric dental technology.
Ready to help your child get a better night's sleep and a brighter smile with a HealthyStart® early orthodontics provider in Hayward?
