Mouth Breathing

“Mouth Breathers are more likely to have ADHD and leads to sleep apnea.”

What is Mouth breathing?

Mouth breathing is the habit of breathing through the mouth instead of the nose, often resulting from nasal obstruction, allergies, enlarged adenoids or tonsils, or structural abnormalities. 

While it can be a temporary condition due to factors like a cold or congestion, persistent mouth breathing can lead to various health issues. It can cause dental problems such as dry mouth, increased risk of cavities, and gum disease, as well as affect facial development in children, potentially leading to dental misalignment. 

Additionally, mouth breathing can contribute to sleep disorders like sleep apnea, with associated issues such as snoring and daytime fatigue. It may also impact speech and swallowing. Addressing mouth breathing typically involves treating underlying causes, which may include medical treatments, surgical interventions, myofunctional therapy, and adopting new breathing habits.

At Toothlife Studio, we pride ourselves on our comprehensive system and advanced assessment tools designed to pinpoint the root causes of oral issues like mouth breathing. Our thorough evaluations allow us to determine whether myofunctional therapy can effectively address the problem or if a referral to other specialists is necessary. By leveraging cutting-edge diagnostic techniques and personalized assessments, we ensure that each patient receives the most appropriate and effective treatment plan tailored to their unique needs.

What are the Causes of Mouth Breathing?

1. Nasal Obstruction: Conditions like nasal congestion, allergies, or a deviated septum can block nasal passages, making it difficult to breathe through the nose.

2. Enlarged Adenoids or Tonsils: Enlarged adenoids or tonsils can obstruct the airway, leading to mouth breathing.

3. Habitual Behavior: Some individuals develop the habit of mouth breathing due to prolonged nasal congestion or as a result of habits formed during childhood.

4. Structural Issues: Structural abnormalities in the nose, throat, or oral cavity can make nasal breathing challenging.

What are Potential Effects of Mouth Breathing?

1. Dental and Oral Health Issues: Mouth breathing can lead to dry mouth, which increases the risk of cavities, gum disease, and bad breath. It can also contribute to tooth misalignment and changes in the oral cavity’s structure.

2. Facial Development: In children, habitual mouth breathing can affect facial development and lead to issues such as an altered dental arch or improper growth of the jaws.

3. Sleep Problems: Mouth breathing, especially during sleep, can be associated with sleep disorders such as sleep apnea. It may result in snoring, restless sleep, or daytime fatigue.

4. Reduced Oxygen Intake: Breathing through the mouth may not filter and humidify the air as effectively as nasal breathing, which can impact overall respiratory health.

5. Speech and Swallowing Difficulties: It can also affect speech patterns and swallowing, leading to potential speech delays or articulation problems.

Treatment and Management:

Addressing mouth breathing typically involves identifying and treating the underlying cause. This may include:

• Medical Treatment: Treating allergies, nasal congestion, or other conditions causing nasal obstruction.

• Surgical Intervention: In some cases, surgical procedures may be necessary to correct structural issues.

• Myofunctional Therapy: Exercises and techniques to improve oral and facial muscle function and encourage nasal breathing.

• Behavioral Changes: Adopting new habits, such as consciously breathing through the nose. 

How does Myofunctional Therapy help with Mouth breathing? 

Myofunctional therapy helps address mouth breathing by focusing on improving the function and coordination of the oral and facial muscles. The therapy includes exercises designed to promote nasal breathing and train proper tongue posture, encouraging the tongue to rest against the roof of the mouth and thereby reducing the tendency to breathe through the mouth. It also targets the muscles around the lips to enhance their ability to maintain proper closure, which helps prevent habitual mouth opening. 

By correcting oral habits that contribute to mouth breathing, such as thumb sucking or lip biting, myofunctional therapy fosters a shift towards nasal breathing. 

Additionally, the therapy supports overall oral health by improving the alignment of the teeth and jaws, which can alleviate contributing factors to mouth breathing. This comprehensive approach addresses both the muscular and behavioral aspects of the condition, promoting healthier breathing patterns.