Picture this: a bright 4-year-old who snores, wakes up cranky and exhausted, mouth-breathes, and struggles to focus at school. and many parents are told the child will grow out of it. But every night of untreated sleep-disordered breathing is a night the brain isn’t getting enough oxygen. And that has consequences.

One long term study found that kids with sleep-disordered breathing had long-term reductions in memory, attention and even IQ. Most families don’t connect these dots to an airway issue, yet pediatric dentists like Dr Tayara do, as she is trained to catch what others miss.

Snoring and sleep breathing disorders, such as obstructive sleep apnea, affect an estimated 5–10% of children, often going unnoticed by parents or caregivers. These conditions can disrupt normal sleep patterns, leading to poor oxygenation and fragmented rest. Over time, this may impact a child’s growth, concentration, learning ability, and emotional regulation. Children with untreated sleep breathing disorders may also experience behavioral issues, bedwetting, frequent infections, and delayed development, making early detection and intervention essential for their overall health and well-being.

“If your child snores regularly, mouth-breathes,grinds his teeth at night, tosses and turns, that’s not ‘cute’; it’s a health signal parents should act on.” Dr. Rafif Tayara, Consultant Pediatric Dentist, book author and Founder of JuniorDental, Dubai, UAE.

The story behind the symptoms

Airway problems often hide behind dental signs. A narrow upper jaw, crowded baby teeth, an open-mouth posture, or a restricted tongue can all hint at reduced nasal airflow, especially at night. Because growth, airway, and teeth develop together, pediatric dentists are on the front line: they see children frequently, can screen for snoring and mouth-breathing, and can coordinate with pediatricians, ENTs, and sleep specialists when needed.

Effects on Behavior, Cognition, and Development

- A study using neuropsychological tests and brain imaging found children with severe OSA had lower IQ scores and poorer executive function compared to controls. They also showed brain changes in areas like the hippocampus and frontal cortex PMC.

- A meta-analysis reported that SDB in children and adolescents is linked with a threefold increase in the incidence of neurobehavioral consequences—highlighting a meaningful association between SDB and behavioral/cognitive impairments BioMed Central.

- A 2018 overview notes that untreated pediatric OSA can lead to learning and memory deficits, behavioral disturbance, and sometimes reduced growth—potentially even affecting a child’s height potential Wikipedia.

- A comprehensive review emphasizes that untreated OSA can hinder the development of executive function critical to school-age children, potentially impeding long-term cognitive potential—even after the prefrontal cortex matures PMC.

These findings underline the importance of recognizing snoring and SDB symptoms early—particularly in children showing behavioral issues, attention difficulties, or learning delays—so that timely interventions can help mitigate developmental harm.

What parents can watch for (and what to do next)

- Night-time clues: snoring (even “sometimes”), noisy breathing, restless sleep, grinding teeth, bed-wetting beyond the typical age, night sweats, sleep talking.

- Day-time clues: mouth-breathing, chronic chapped lips, dark under-eye circles, morning headaches, hyperactivity or inattention.

- Dental & growth clues: crowded baby teeth, crossbite/narrow palate, forward head posture, tongue-tie symptoms, gum-show “smile.”

Next steps:

1. Book a pediatric dental exam that includes airway screening questions and a holistic approach.

2. Monitor your child’s nutrition and vitamin deficiency.

3. Discuss interceptive options where appropriate (e.g., guidance of jaw growth, expansion for maxillary constriction) within a multidisciplinary plan—often alongside pediatric and ENT care.

4. Keep prevention front-and-center: feeding and brushing coaching, nutrition counseling, myofunctional assistance, and minimally-invasive treatments to protect developing teeth.

“Nasal breathing and proper tongue function are vital elements in healthy craniofacial development, and are part of my philosophy in treating children, as a patient-centered approach.” Dr. Rafif Tayara

A clinician’s view: integrative, airway-aware dentistry from first tooth to teens

JuniorDental in Dubai practices an integrative, whole-child model linking nutrition, airway, growth, and oral health for babies, toddlers, school-age children, and teenagers. The team embeds airway screening into every visit, uses judicious, low-dose imaging, and adopts a truly minimal invasive approach treatments tailored to each child individually.

“Our protocol is simple: screen every child’s airway, function and overall health, guide and correct the growth Early when needed and coordinate ENT care and myofunctional therapy” Dr. Rafif Tayara

About JuniorDental

Guided by Dr. Rafif Tayara’s mission “The mouth is the gateway to your child’s whole body,” JuniorDental provides prevention-first pediatric dentistry with airway-focused assessments, minimally invasive treatments, and growth-guided early orthodontics. The clinic welcomes families from the newborn stage through the teen years. Learn more at JuniorDental.ae.

Media Contact
Company Name: JuniorDental
Contact Person: Dr. Rafif Tayara
Email: Send Email
Phone: +971585701255
Country: United Arab Emirates
Website: https://www.juniordental.ae