Did you know that how you breathe impacts your overall health? Breathing provides your body with oxygen and also allows you to release carbon dioxide and waste. Most people use both their nose and mouth to breathe, but mouth breathing occurs when a person relies on their mouth for breathing instead of their nose. Mouth breathing may seem harmless and often happens during brief periods of nasal congestion, but persistent mouth breathing affects not only your oral health but also your overall health.  

Effects of Mouth Breathing on Overall Health

  • Respiratory Issues – By bypassing the nasal passages, mouth breathing can lead to increased exposure to airborne irritants and increase the risk of colds, sore throats, and other respiratory infections. 
  • Disease Risk – Shallow breathing through the mouth lowers blood oxygen levels, increasing the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and metabolic conditions. 
  • Decreased Lung Function – Mouth breathing can negatively affect lung function, especially in people with respiratory issues like asthma. Nasal breathing filters, humidifies, and warms the air before it reaches the lungs. Mouth breathing bypasses these vital processes, which can reduce lung function and energy levels. 
  • Sleep Issues – Mouth breathing is associated with breathing-related sleep disorders, like sleep apnea. It disrupts and reduces sleep quality, leading to snoring, poor sleep quality, and fatigue.  
  • Cognitive Function – Reduced oxygen levels and poor sleep can impact cognitive function, leading to issues with memory, concentration, learning, immunity, mood, anxiety, and overall health.    
  • Facial and Jaw Development – Mouth breathing in children can negatively impact facial development, resulting in a long, narrow face and upper jaw, a less prominent jawline, and a receding chin. These issues occur because the tongue, which usually helps shape the upper jaw, rests in the wrong position and affects jaw growth. A narrow upper jaw means less space for teeth to align correctly, resulting in crowded or crooked teeth.   

Learn More: The Link Between Oral Health and Overall Well-Being 

Effects of Mouth Breathing on Oral Health

Mouth breathing also causes a dry mouth and prevents saliva from washing away bacteria, leading to:  

  • Throat and ear infections 
  • Tooth decay and gum disease 
  • Increased risk of oral infections 
  • Bad breath  

Learn More: How to Keep Your Gums Healthy [and Why it Matters] 

Causes of Mouth Breathing

  • Nasal Obstruction – Allergies, colds, sinus infections, deviated septum, nasal polyps, and enlarged tonsils or adenoids. 
  • Habit – Even after the nasal obstruction clears, some people may continue mouth breathing out of habit. Prolonged use of pacifiers or thumb sucking can also cause mouth breathing. 
  • Medical Conditions – Asthma, chronic sinusitis, and sleep apnea. 

Other factors that cause mouth breathing include dental problems, dry mouth, and stress or anxiety.  

How to Stop Mouth Breathing

  1. Consult a Healthcare Professional

     If you or your child experiences chronic mouth breathing, talk to a healthcare professional. A dentist, allergist, or ENT specialist can help identify the root cause and provide treatment options.

  2. Clear Nasal Obstructions

    Consult a healthcare provider if you have chronic nasal congestion, enlarged tonsils, or nasal polyps.

  3. Address Sleep Disorders

    If you have sleep apnea, your doctor may recommend using a CPAP machine or other treatment.

  4. Nasal Breathing Exercises

    To help retrain breathing habits, practice nasal breathing exercises like Buteyko breathing to improve nasal airflow and reduce mouth breathing. 

  5. Practice Good Oral Hygiene

    To reduce the impact of mouth breathing on oral health, maintain good oral hygiene daily.

  6. Stay Hydrated

    Drinking plenty of water will support saliva production and combat dry mouth. Chewing sugar-free gum also stimulates saliva flow and keeps your mouth moist.

Schedule a Comprehensive Dental Exam with Atkins & Anderson DDS

If you or your child is a mouth breather and you notice signs of dental issues, early care is crucial. Atkins & Anderson, in the Bryan/College Station area, has the training and experience to provide the highest quality dental care to every member of your family. Contact us today for a comprehensive dental exam or to learn more about our services.   

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