Healthy sleep depends on a healthy airway, and the way a child’s jaws and teeth develop can affect both. As part of orthodontic evaluations, Smiles for Maine Orthodontics screens children in Waterville for early signs of sleep and airway concerns using the BEARS screening tool, and we collaborate with your pediatrician or sleep specialist when a fuller evaluation is helpful.
Many parents do not realize that snoring, restless sleep, mouth breathing, or daytime irritability in a child can be linked to how the jaw and airway are developing. Orthodontists are uniquely positioned to notice these signs early, because we already examine your child’s growth, bite, and airway space during routine evaluations. Dr. Brian Patterson, a board-certified orthodontist, includes simple sleep and airway screening as part of caring for the whole child.
Signs Parents May Notice
Sleep and airway concerns can show up in ways that are easy to miss. Talk with us or your pediatrician if your child:
- Snores regularly or breathes through the mouth, awake or asleep
- Is a restless sleeper, or wakes frequently
- Grinds their teeth at night
- Wets the bed beyond the typical age
- Seems tired, irritable, or has trouble focusing during the day
- Has a narrow upper jaw, crowded teeth, or an open-mouth resting posture
These signs do not always mean a sleep disorder, but they are worth screening.
What Is the BEARS Screening?
BEARS is a simple, well-established screening framework that helps clinicians evaluate sleep in children ages 2 to 18 across five areas:
- B - Bedtime issues
- E - Excessive daytime sleepiness
- A - Awakenings during the night
- R - Regularity and duration of sleep
- S - Snoring
BEARS is a screening conversation, not a diagnosis. It helps us decide together whether your child would benefit from a referral for a full sleep evaluation.
How Orthodontics and Airway Development Connect
A child’s upper jaw forms the floor of the nasal airway, so jaw growth and breathing are closely related. When the upper jaw is narrow or the bite is developing in a way that crowds the airway, it can contribute to mouth breathing and restless sleep. Through early orthodontic treatment, Dr. Patterson can sometimes guide jaw growth and create more room as a child develops. The goal of orthodontic care here is to support healthy development and refer appropriately, not to replace a medical sleep diagnosis or treatment.
How We Work With Your Care Team
If screening suggests a possible concern, we coordinate with your pediatrician, ENT, or a sleep specialist, who can order a sleep study and make a diagnosis. Orthodontic care is one part of a team approach to your child’s sleep and airway health.
When Should My Child Be Screened?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends an orthodontic evaluation by age 7, which is a natural time to include airway and sleep screening. If you have noticed any of the signs above, an earlier visit is always welcome.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an orthodontist diagnose sleep apnea in my child?
No. Diagnosis requires a physician and usually a sleep study. We screen for early signs during orthodontic evaluations and refer you to the right specialist when a fuller evaluation is helpful.
How is sleep connected to my child’s teeth and jaws?
The upper jaw helps shape the nasal airway, so jaw and bite development can influence breathing and sleep. Spotting concerns early lets us guide growth and coordinate care.
What happens during a screening?
We review your child’s growth, bite, and airway space and walk through the BEARS screening questions with you. If anything stands out, we discuss next steps and referrals together.
Is screening included in an orthodontic evaluation?
Yes. Sleep and airway screening is part of how we evaluate your child’s overall development at Smiles for Maine Orthodontics, and your child’s first screening is complimentary.