What if it’s actually sleep deprivation caused by a sleep disorder like sleep apnea? The American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine has research that supports this possibility.
From a CNN post: “We as orthodontists and dentists who see children regularly have an opportunity to recognize the possibility that a child is at risk for sleep apnea or disordered breathing,” Sheats said. “If you treat it, many of these conditions can be reversible at a young age.”