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How does mouth breathing affect my health?

Kids | Kedron Family Dental
[dt_vc_list dividers=”false”]Mouth breathing is a common habit that many people have developed in early childhood and stays with them for life. This habit can however, be broken.

Chronic mouth breathers tend to have increased:

  • breathing rate, heart rate
  • Headaches, sinusitis
  • Sore/dry throat and cold symptoms, tonsil swelling
  • Chronic cough/throat clearing
  • Noisy breathing, eating
  • Impaired sense of smell
  • Snoring
  • Asthmatic symptoms
  • Poor sleep/sleep apnoea—leading to chronic fatigue/ADHD
  • Poor posture
  • Digestive disturbances—gas, upset stomach, acid reflux, etc.
  • High blood pressure, heart problems
  • Erectile dysfunction disorders

They often present with the following dental issues:

  • Gingivitis and gum disease
  • Bad breath
  • Higher risk for cavities
  • Malocclusion (overbite, deep bite, reverse bite)
  • Reduced dental arch space (narrow roof of mouth)
  • greater potential for orthodontic relapse
  • TMJ dysfunction – grinding/clenching

Most mouth breathing habits form due to:

  • Allergies
  • Thumb or finger sucking habit
  • Enlarged tonsils or adenoids
  • Chronic nasal congestion
  • Respiratory infection

Due to the increased breathing rate of mouth breathers, the CO2/O2 levels in the blood are altered and therefore the pH, resulting in more stress/pressure put on other bodily functions/organs.

Things to remember:

  • lips together and nasal breathing when not talking or doing moderate/heavy exercise.
  • address blocked nose – rhinitis, physical blockage…perhaps a visit to your GP is needed.
  • as you start breathing through your nose, the inflammation/stuffiness should subside and then it’ll become easier to breathe!
  • breathing from your diaphragm is best – try lying on your back before bed and nasal breathe for 2min ensuring your tummy rises on the inhale and fall on the exhale.
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