The HealthyStart™️ System in Silver Spring, MD

Custom Treatment for Your Child

Tooth alignment issues can begin at an early age and cause various problems, including pediatric sleep-disordered breathing. At Silver Spring Sleep Solutions, our Silver Spring sleep dentist offers the HealthyStart™ system, a custom orthodontic intervention treatment. It’s always best to treat any problems early on to prevent future complications and uncomfortable procedures. 

If you’ve noticed any signs of sleep-disordered breathing in your child, schedule an appointment at our Silver Spring office by calling (240) 234-0948.

What Is Pediatric Sleep-Disordered Breathing?

Pediatric sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) inhibits a child’s breathing during sleep because of constricted nasal passages and obstructed airways. Not only does this cause poor sleep quality, but it can also contribute to development issues of the mouth and jaw that can cause teeth crowding or other alignment problems. 

The following symptoms may indicate that your child is suffering from SDB: 

• Snoring
• Snorting or gasping during sleep
• Drowsiness 
• Bedwetting
• Irritability
• Attention disorders
• Teeth grinding
• Headaches
• Mouth breathing
• Lack of expected growth or development
• Nightmares 
• Asthma

Consequences of Untreated Sleep-Disordered Breathing 

If you believe your child is suffering from SDB, it’s crucial to seek treatment immediately. Early treatment can help ensure your child won’t undergo further health consequences and they can achieve a lifetime of healthy sleep.

Consequences of untreated sleep-disordered breathing problems include:

• Decreased energy and obesity 
• Poor behavior and learning
• Impaired growth and development
• Bedwetting
• Social concerns 

How HealthyStart™ Works

The HealthyStart™ treatment system works in three phases.

Habit Correction

The first phase involves habit correction. This phase helps to eliminate or correct oral habits that can damage your child’s dental health. Your child will wear the habit corrector appliance while they sleep. The design is similar to a pacifier, ensuring they’ll get used to wearing it throughout the night. The habit correction phase typically lasts between one and five months.

Phase Two

Next, your child will receive a new customized appliance to wear each night. It aids their incoming teeth into their proper positions, corrects jaw relations, and expands their arches for incoming adult teeth. Your child will wear this device between two and six months.

Phase Three

The final phase of their treatment requires a device that accommodates their incoming permanent teeth. This phase begins when your child has at least four adult teeth. It’s an extremely important part of treatment as their adult teeth are forming and the gum tissues are starting to attach to the teeth in the mouth. HealthyStart™ treatment works to ensure the teeth erupt properly in the mouth.

Frequently Asked Questions

Schedule Your Consultation With Dr. Bassford!

With the HealthyStart™ system, we can help your child achieve a properly aligned smile and prevent pediatric sleep-disordered breathing. To find out if your child could benefit from the HealthyStart™ treatment, call our Silver Spring practice at (240) 234-0948. You can also request more information online.