Sleep Apnea for Kids in Campbell CA

Does your child snore in Campbell CA? Does your child show other signs of disturbed sleep: long pauses in breathing, much tossing and turning in the bed, chronic mouth breathing during sleep, night sweats (owing to increased effort to breathe)? All these, and especially the snoring, are possible signs of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which is more common among children than is generally recognized.
Why is it so important to have sleep apnea evaluated in kids in Campbell CA?
Because it’s not just snoring.
We’re talking about a condition that can seriously impact a child’s growth, behavior, focus, mood, and even heart health. When a child has obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), their breathing actually pauses during sleep—sometimes dozens or even hundreds of times a night. That means their brain and body aren’t getting the oxygen and deep rest they need.
Here’s the big deal:
- Sleep is when kids grow. If their body is constantly waking up to breathe, they miss out on that critical growth hormone release.
- Sleep is when the brain resets. Poor sleep can mimic ADHD, lead to irritability, and make learning at school so much harder.
- Over time, untreated OSA can strain the heart, affect blood pressure, and lower quality of life.
And the kicker? It’s often totally treatable. Enlarged tonsils, allergies, or jaw alignment issues might be the culprit—and once addressed, kids often sleep better, behave better, and feel like themselves again.
So if you’re noticing signs like snoring, gasping, restless sleep, or daytime struggles—don’t wait. Get it checked. The sooner it’s evaluated, the sooner your child can get the rest they truly need to thrive
As a pediatric dentist, Dr. Aneesha can play a key role in identifying signs of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in children during routine dental exams. While they don’t diagnose OSA directly, they’re trained to recognize red flags and refer to a sleep specialist or ENT if needed. Here’s how they typically check:
🔍 Observation & Medical History
Does your child exhibit any of these conditions:
- Snoring (especially loud or habitual)
- Mouth breathing (day or night)
- Pauses in breathing during sleep
- Restless sleep, night sweats, or frequent waking
- Bedwetting (especially if it returns after being resolved)
- Daytime symptoms like fatigue, hyperactivity, or difficulty focusing
🦷 Oral & Facial Exam
Dentists look for structural or developmental signs, such as:
- Enlarged tonsils or adenoids
- High-arched palate
- Crowded or narrow dental arches
- Overbite or crossbite
- Tongue-tie (ankyloglossia) or low tongue posture
- Mouth breathing signs (dry mouth, chapped lips)
📤 Referral
If OSA is suspected, our pediatric dentist Dr. Aneesha, may refer the child to:
- Sleep specialist for a polysomnography (sleep study)
- ENT if enlarged tonsils/adenoids are involved
- Orthodontist if structural issues need to be corrected
Airway Focused Orthodontics
We are strong proponent of early interventional orthodontic care to increase the breathing capacity in children. Oral appliances can be used with great success in children as young as the age of 6. Expansion of both upper and lower jaws is possible in children ( between the ages of 7-9) as their facial bone growth has not yet been fully developed.


J.B. Phase 1: Early Expansion + Limited Braces 12 months Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Here is another great example of early orthodontic treatment for growth modification (phase 1) at Campbell Pediatric Dentistry.
(See the photos below.)
This patient suffered from obstructive sleep apnea with a reduced ability to be able to breathe properly. Mom noticed her son did not sleep well, was irritable, and his grades were suffering at school. He was referred to us by his dentist because his top teeth on one side were abnormal in that they were actually inside his lower teeth (posterior crossbite). The great news for the family is that we specialize in Airway Focused orthodontics and early interventional orthodontic care. We proposed a game plan that would address both his airway needs as well as dental. He successfully completed his care in 12 months. Mom reports that he no longer snores, happier overall, and his grades have improved as well! AMAZING RESULTS !!! These gentle skeletal corrections are only possible during the early ages 7-9.

Campbell Pediatric Dentistry
476 E Campbell Ave Suite A
Campbell, CA 95008
Monday
Closed
Tuesday
8:30am - 5:00pm
Wednesday
Closed
Thursday
8:30am - 5:00pm
Friday
8:30am - 5:00pm
Saturday & Sunday
Closed
Los Gatos Kids Dentistry
15595 Los Gatos Blvd Suite C
Los Gatos, CA 95032
Monday
8:30am - 5:40pm
Tuesday
8:30am - 5:40pm
Wednesday
8:30am - 5:40pm
Thursday
8:30am - 5:40pm
Friday
8:30am - 5:40pm
Saturday & Sunday
Closed