We all know what it’s like to have a cold, with a nose so stuffy that you can’t breathe through it.

At times like that, we breathe through our mouths instead, and that’s pretty much how it should work. Mouth-breathing is an emergency backup, not the default. However, many negative effects can arise from mouth-breathing full-time, particularly if the habit begins in childhood.

Why Does Mouth-Breathing Become a Habit?

Many factors can lead to a mouth-breathing habit. For instance, a small child might get a cold and then simply continue breathing through their mouth after their nose clears. Other causes include:

• Bite alignment issues: Making it difficult to keep the mouth closed.
• Persistent allergies: Leading to chronic nasal congestion.
• Enlarged tonsils or adenoids: Physically blocking the airway.
• Deviated septum: Making nose-breathing difficult or impossible most of the time.

Fortunately, these problems can often be solved by orthodontic treatment or surgery.

Why Mouth-Breathing Is A Problem

Mouth-breathing can lead to a variety of short-term and long-term issues:

Short-Term Effects:

1. Dry Mouth: Mouth-breathing dries out the mouth, removing the first defense against oral bacteria. This can lead to chronic bad breath and tooth decay.
2. Lack of Energy: Breathing through the mouth can result in less oxygen intake, leading to poor sleep quality and lower energy levels. Children may struggle to pay attention in school, and adults might see a drop in work productivity.

Long-Term Effects:

1. Facial Structure: Mouth-breathing can alter facial development, leading to flat features, drooping eyes, a narrow jaw and dental arch, and a small chin.
2. Sleep Apnea: The risk of developing sleep apnea increases with mouth-breathing, making it hard to get restful sleep.
3. Orthodontic Issues: A narrowed dental arch from chronic mouth-breathing often lacks space for a full set of adult teeth, necessitating orthodontic treatment.

The Benefits Of Nose-Breathing

Breathing through the nose doesn’t just help you avoid the negative effects of mouth-breathing; it comes with additional benefits too! Here are just a few:

1. Air Filtration: The nose acts as an air filter, delivering clean air to the lungs and reducing allergens.
2. Nitric Oxide Production: Nose-breathing produces nitric oxide, aiding oxygen absorption and sterilizing the air.
3. Immune System Support: Nose-breathing activates immunoglobulin production, strengthening the immune system.

Need Help Building Healthier Breathing Habits?

If you or your child has a mouth-breathing habit, it can be tricky to break, especially if the cause is a physical obstruction that requires treatment. Schedule a dental exam with Dr. Bemis at Bemis Family Dental in Lake Worth, TX today. We can identify the underlying cause and get you on the road to healthier breathing and all the benefits that come with it!

Contact us at (817) 237-9701 or book an appointment online now!

We love our wonderful patients and are here to help you achieve optimal dental health!

We love our wonderful patients!

The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.