Mouth Breathing Causes and Long-Term Impacts
Mouth Breathing Causes and Long-Term Impacts
Breathing is a fundamental activity that all living beings perform at all times till they are alive. It comes naturally to us and we do not need to learn or practice it. And since it is an inherent part of our daily life, most of us don't pay attention to the way we breathe.
You have two passages to your lungs. They are your mouth and nose. Most healthy individuals typically breathe in and out through their noses. When a person inhales the air through their nose, the nasal passage makes it moist and warm. This reduces irritation in the airway and keeps it healthy.
However, instead of breathing through their nose, many people often inhale the air exclusively through their mouths. This is known as mouth breathing.
Now, occasional mouth breathing during certain conditions, like when you have a cold or any other sickness, is not a reason for worry. However, if you always breathe through your mouth, you might need to visit a doctor and get yourself checked.
If you or your loved one always has the issue of chronic mouth breathing, this blog post is for you. In this article, we will talk about mouth breathing, its causes, and its long-term impacts on your health. Read on!
What Are the Main Causes of Mouth Breathing?
Mouth breathing usually happens due to an underlying condition that blocks a person's nasal airway. This prevents the steady passage of air through their nose and they are compelled to breathe through their mouth.
Here are some of the major causes of mouth breathing.
Sleep apnea might lead to mouth breathing
Sleep apnea is a medical condition in which the patient cannot breathe properly while they are sleeping. The condition causes a blockage in the patient's nasal cavity and thus, they are forced to breathe through their mouth.
Furthermore, certain allergies can also be a reason for chronic mouth breathing.
Enlarged tonsils can also cause mouth breathing
Tonsils are a pair of soft tissues located at each side of the rear of your throat. Inflammation or swelling of tonsils is known as Tonsillitis.Slight swelling of tonsils doesn't affect your ability to breathe through your nose. However, if your tonsils get extremely enlarged, they can cause respiratory tract infections like the common cold, sore throat, bacterial infection, etc.
And these infections cause congestion in your nasal cavity and block your airways. And so, breathing through your nose becomes difficult.
Nasal polyps and mouth breathing
Crossbite and underbite can lead to mouth breathing
According to an Orthodontist If you have the issue of misaligned teeth, like crossbite and underbite, you would tend to breathe through your mouth the chances are that an Orthodontic treatment will be required later to correct the same.
Moreover, facial deformities and the shape and size of your jaw and nose also affect the way you breathe.
Chronic stress and anxiety can cause mouth breathing
Although it sounds unlikely, stress and anxiety can also cause the issue of mouth breathing. When you are highly stressed or anxious, your nervous system gets activated. It increases your heart palpitations and makes you take rapid and shallow breaths from your mouth.
Many pediatric dentists have observed that kids who have a history of dealing with stress may develop a habit of inhaling and exhaling air through their mouths which might need pediatric orthodontic treatment later. And so, they will need constant practice to start breathing from their nose again.
How to Know if You Have the Issue Of Mouth Breathing?
Mouth Breathing Symptoms In Adults
- Snoring
- Dry mouth and throat
- Feeling of irritation after waking up
- Brain fog
- Tiredness and fatigue
- Hoarse voice
Mouth Breathing Symptoms In Kids
- Increased crying episodes during nights
- Difficulty in concentrating at school and studies
- Increased irritability
- Sleepiness during the day
- Dry mouth and cracked lips
- Slower growth rate
- Enlarged tonsils
- Speech problems or difficulty in swallowing
Long-Term Impacts of Mouth Breathing
Long-Term Impacts of Mouth Breathing
Chronic mouth breathing can cause serious long-term health problems. It can cause gum diseases, bad breath, and can even elevate the symptoms of other diseases like asthma, etc.
Constant mouth breathing can cause long-term health impacts in children, too. Orthodontists have also observed that If a child breathes through their mouth all the time, it can lead to problems like facial deformities, crooked teeth, brain fog, and poor growth.
Here are some of the major impacts of mouth breathing.
Mouth breathing can lead to dry mouth and bad breath
Many dentists have observed that constant mouth breathing can make your mouth extremely dry and uncomfortable. It can also make it difficult to swallow.
Normally, your saliva washes away all the bacteria in your mouth. However, when you always inhale and exhale air through your mouth, your saliva becomes dry and it cannot remove the oral bacteria efficiently. This can lead to oral problems like tooth decay, bad breath, bleeding gums, and cavities.
Mouth breathing can lead to poor sleep
Mouth breathing can change in facial appearance
Mouth breathing can sometimes lead to digestive problems
Summing Up Mouth Breathing In Kids And Adults
Excessive mouth breathing is not healthy and should be treated before it causes serious long-term health issues. Mouth breathing usually happens due to an obstruction in your nasal passageway, sleep apnea, or nasal structure. Oral habit breaking appliances for kids go a long way in reducing the frequency of habits such as thumb sucking and mouth breathing.
Mouth breathing is usually treated with medication or surgical removal. We highly recommend that you pay a visit to your doctor. They will be able to guide you and suggest the best treatment option after analyzing your condition.
Learn more - https://growingsmilesdentists.com/mouth-breathing-causes-and-long-term-impacts/
Get In Touch
GROWING SMILES ® Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics
Phone: 093193 73963
Address: Converge by UKn, No 78/2, Ground floor, Nallurahalli Main Rd, Whitefield, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560066
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