When Snoring Isn’t Just Snoring: A Parent’s Guide to Sleep‑Disordered Breathing

Last updated: October 22, 2025
Author: Dr. Robert Miller, DDS, MS — Orthodontic Specialist

Key Takeaways

• The goal of this guide is to create recognition and provide next steps. The guide will help you decide when to schedule a visit with your pediatrician and when to add an orthodontic airway check to your child’s care.
• Pediatric guidance says children who snore frequently should be evaluated for obstructive sleep apnea. An orthodontic exam complements (not replaces) primary medical care.
• Early action often means simpler, less invasive solutions. It consists of care that is sometimes medical, sometimes orthodontic, and sometimes both.

What Sleep Disordered Breathing Looks Like in Kids

Occasional snoring during a cold is common. The concern is habitual snoring (which is defined as snoring several nights a week) or mouth breathing that doesn’t go away.

Common red flags parents report:

• Regular snoring or noisy breathing at night
• Persistent mouth breathing, dry lips in the morning, or drooling on the pillow
• Restless sleep, night sweats, or waking up unrefreshed
• Bedwetting in older kids and preteens
• Daytime effects like trouble focusing, irritability, or hyperactivity

American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) guidelines note that children who frequently snore should be evaluated for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

If you’re seeing these signs, you may also want to read our prevention‑focused companion: Why Early Orthodontic Intervention Can Prevent Lifelong Airway Problems.

When To Get an Evaluation

Consider a medical evaluation if snoring or mouth breathing shows up most nights, or if your child struggles with daytime behavior or focus.

Start by consulting your pediatrician. They can examine your child for enlarged adenoids/tonsils, allergies, and other medical causes.

At the same time, an interceptive orthodontic exam can look at jaw growth, palate width, and the space available for the tongue and nasal airflow. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic check‑in by age 7, which helps identify growth‑related concerns early.

How Orthodontics Fits Into Care

Orthodontists can’t diagnose or treat medical sleep disorders, but we can identify growth patterns that contribute to a narrow airway and work as part of your child’s care team. At a Miller Orthodontics exam, we assess jaw/palate width, bite, and space for the tongue and nasal airflow. When appropriate, we coordinate with ENTs, pediatricians, and sleep specialists.

Our goal is simple. We want to give you a clear picture of your child’s growth and timing of care so you can make informed choices. Learn more about our approach on our airway treatments page.

Curious how this plays out for teens and adults? See: Airway Orthodontics for Adults: What You Need to Know.

What if We Wait?

Some children “outgrow” snoring tied to a cold or a temporary issue like seasonal allergies. However, when snoring and mouth breathing stick around, they can affect sleep quality and ultimately affect how a child feels and functions during the day. Early evaluation helps you understand what’s going on and whether simple steps (like managing allergies) or growth‑guided orthodontics could help.

Next Steps

• If your child snores most nights, start with your pediatrician and consider a sleep evaluation.
• Add an airway‑aware orthodontic evaluation to check growth and space for the tongue and nasal airflow.
• Read our prevention companion: Why Early Orthodontic Intervention Can Prevent Lifelong Airway Problems.

Ready for a friendly, thorough check‑in? Call today or schedule a Complimentary Airway Consultation with Miller Orthodontics.

FAQs

Is Snoring Always a Problem in Kids?

No. Short‑term snoring with a cold or seasonal allergies isn’t unusual for kids. The primary concern is habitual snoring, which should be evaluated for obstructive sleep apnea.

Can Orthodontics Cure Sleep Apnea?

No single orthodontic procedure is a guaranteed cure for obstructive sleep apnea. In carefully selected, growing patients, orthodontic expansion can support healthier nasal airflow. A physician’s evaluation remains essential to this process.

What’s the Right Age for an Orthodontic Airway Check?

The AAO recommends a first visit by age 7. This allows your orthodontist to make time-essential recommendations after your child’s evaluation.