According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, “kids with allergies are more likely to snore, mouth breathe and experience sleep apnea. An ‘apnea’ is a when an individual stops breathing for seconds or over a minute. Many of these occur from congestion or airway obstructions that impede airflow. These episodes of obstructive sleep apnea tend to last longer and occur more frequently among those with allergies.” Their research did not suggest that the treatment of allergies alone would prevent sleep apnea, but rather that allergies are an aggravating factor in obtaining restorative sleep. “Children with allergies are more prone to mouth breathing, which can lead to improper development of the upper arch,” states Dr. Rod Willey, CEO of the Koala Centers For Sleep & TMJ Disorders. “The high arch in the upper jaw puts undue pressure in the sinus area, further complicating breathing for children with allergies and asthma.” In addition, between the ages of 2 and 12, the jaws are in growing stages. This allows a window of opportunity to provide proper arch development that can help avoid breathing complications as an adult. Custom oral appliances provide guided growth of the jaw and teeth as well, allowing the widening of the upper jaw to allow teeth to come in more naturally and lowering the upper arch which relieves pressure on the sinus cavities.”