health
Want to help your child thrive? FOCUS ON 5 ASPECTS OF HEALTH
Written by Tiffany Nelson, RDH | Healthy Start Coordinator of Post Falls Family Dental
FIRST AND MOST IMPORTANT IS SLEEP. Kids do better when they get plenty of quality rest. Sleep intersects every aspect of our lives. Deep sleep is very important and crucial for processing and storing memories, helps the body rest and repair, and strengthens the immune system to fight injuries and illness. We need deep sleep to repair the damage that’s been done to our bodies during the day. Parents need to make sure their children are getting enough of the proper rest they need. Observe your child’s sleep. Do they snore? Do they sleep with their mouth open? What does the neck position and posture 22 mar • apr 2022
look like? Are they restless? Wake up in the night? Is the bed messed up in the mornings? If you answered yes to any of these questions you should have your child evaluated for sleep disordered breathing. They may be sleeping but not getting the proper amount of oxygen and quality sleep they need. SLEEP HYGIENE IS YET ANOTHER ASPECT. Make sure kids are getting enough sleep. If they are not getting enough, start by going to bed at least 15 minutes earlier each night until the proper amount is acquired.
