Mouth breathing: Effects on your oral and overall health, symptoms, causes, and treatment options

While occasionally breathing through the mouth is normal, chronic mouth breathing can lead to various health problems.

This habit usually starts in early childhood and becomes difficult to break later on. You may not even notice it, especially if you are used to breathing through your mouth at night.

The earlier the treatment, the easier it is and the more you will avoid the associated complications.

In this article, we'll explore the symptoms, causes, and effects of mouth breathing on your oral and general health. We will also discuss some treatment options that may help you make the switch to nasal breathing.

How do I know if I am a mouth breather?

Sometimes it's hard to tell on your own. This is especially true if you are used to it or if it happens at night, while you are sleeping. There are a few symptoms that may help you figure it out. The most common include:

1. Dry mouth and throat
2. Bad breath
3. Snoring or sleep apnea
4. Poor sleep and dark circles
5. Chronic fatigue
6. Headaches
7. Poor concentration or focus
8. Impaired sense of smell or taste
9. Dental problems such as tooth decay and gum disease
10. Swollen tonsils or adenoids
11. Changes in facial structure and growth, especially in children.

Diagnosis:

If you have doubts about your breathing and have consulted your doctor, which is the best thing to do, he will do multiple tests to confirm the diagnosis. Here are some of the methods he may use:

• Visual test: Mouth breathers often have dark circles, an open mouth at rest, a long and straight face, and inflamed gums on the front teeth.


• Ask about your breathing habits: Your doctor will ask questions about when you first noticed your mouth breathing, how often it happens, the particular situations where it occurs most, and whether it is associated with other symptoms.


• Physical examination: Your healthcare provider will examine your nose, mouth, and throat for any anatomical abnormalities (enlarged tonsils or adenoids) that may be causing mouth breathing. He may also check your breathing while you are lying down, sitting up, and during physical activity.


• Diagnostic tests: Your doctor may perform tests to assess the function of your nose and airways. The simplest and best-known is the mirror test. Your doctor will ask you to breathe out through your nose onto a mirror. Then, he will compare the airflow from your two nostrils. If one is larger than the other, it could mean that something is blocking your airway.

What can cause mouth breathing?

Again, occasional mouth breathing, such as when you exercise, is normal and should not be a concern. However, when it becomes a chronic habit, you need to find the cause to stop it.

There are many possible causes of mouth breathing. Often there is a combination of many of them, which makes the treatment more complex. In addition, when mouth breathing starts in childhood, the jaw deformities created will support the low position of the tongue, maintaining this bad habit and making it more challenging to get rid of it. The most common causes are:

1. Nasal obstruction: A blockage in the nasal airways, such as from allergies, congestion, or a deviated septum, can force a person to breathe through their mouth.


2. Enlarged adenoids or tonsils: These structures at the back of the throat can become inflamed and enlarged, obstructing the airway and causing mouth breathing.


3. Chronic sinusitis: Inflammation of the sinuses can cause nasal congestion and difficulty breathing through the nose.


4. Habitual mouth breathing: Some people develop a habit of breathing through their mouth, often due to stress, anxiety, or other psychological factors.


5. Jaw deformities: When your upper jaw is narrow, the tongue will be in a lower position. This will prevent proper nasal breathing.

Mouth breathing effects:

1. Effects on your oral health

One of the most common effects of mouth breathing is dry mouth. Saliva plays an important role in maintaining the oral microbiome and preventing oral disease. It benefits our oral health by:

1. Protecting our teeth from bacteria and plaque by preventing them from attaching to the surface of the teeth;
2. Reducing the number of harmful bacteria in our mouth;
3. Protecting our gums;
4. Regulating the acidity of the mouth.

As a result, people with dry mouths are more likely to develop cavities and gum disease.

2. Effects on your general health

1. Infections

The nose acts as a filter against viruses and particles in the air. When you breathe through your mouth, you may inhale antigens that can affect your airways.

2. Sleep disorder

Chronic mouth breathing can disrupt sleep patterns, leading to snoring, sleep apnea, and other sleep disorders. This can lead to fatigue, mood changes, and other health issues.

3. Difficulty eating

People who breathe through their mouths have difficulty chewing food because they have to block their breathing during this time. This can affect the way they eat and cause digestive problems.

4. Cognitive function:

Poor sleep quality due to mouth breathing and associated sleep disorders can affect cognitive function, including memory, attention, and problem-solving abilities.

5. Facial growth:

Mouth breathers put their tongue in a low position. The upper jaw will then not be stimulated and will be narrower. Since the growth of the lower jaw is guided by the upper jaw, it will rotate downward and backward, resulting in a receding chin and a long, narrow face. This is also known as long-face syndrome.

Why and how should oral breathing be treated?

Treating mouth breathing is important for several reasons, including improving oral and general health, enhancing sleep quality, and reducing the risk of associated health issues. This may involve different specialties, such as ENT, allergist, rehabilitation specialist, orthodontist, and maxillofacial surgeon. Here are some options that may be recommended to you to treat mouth breathing:

1. Addressing the underlying cause:

The first step in treating mouth breathing is to identify and address any underlying causes, such as allergies, sinusitis, or structural abnormalities.

Beforehand, you may need to treat an allergy or have surgery to remove the anatomical obstructions that prevent you from breathing through your nose.

Treating these conditions may help to alleviate mouth breathing symptoms.

2. Orthodontic treatment:

In the case of facial deformities, such as an excessively narrow upper jaw, orthodontic appliances may be needed to stimulate jaw growth and thus improve tongue posture. In this way, the tongue will find enough space to fit into the roof of the mouth, allowing for nasal breathing. However, if no growth potential is left, surgery may be the only remaining solution in case of severe deformity.

3. Nasal breathing exercises:

Breathing exercises can help to strengthen the nasal passages and encourage more efficient nasal breathing.

4. Myofunctional therapy:

This involves exercises designed to strengthen the muscles in the face, mouth, and throat, which can improve breathing and reduce the negative effects of mouth breathing on oral and general health.

5. Lifestyle changes:

Certain lifestyle changes can help to reduce mouth breathing symptoms, such as being mindful of your breath, avoiding mouth breathing during exercise, sleeping in a slightly elevated position, and keeping your mouth closed at rest.