Mouth Breathing

If you are breathing through your mouth for 90% of the time, you are considered a mouth breather. It is very important for the tongue to be resting in the roof of the mouth and nasal breathing to occur. When the tongue is resting in the proper position and nasal breathing is taking place during growth and developmental years, the proper stem cells and DNA will form a proper, wide and forward maxillary jaw. When mouth breathing, craniofacial development is altered and seen by a narrow and vaulted palate and and retruded chin. In healthy people, breathing should be invisible and silent. Humans are meant to breathe through our nose!

Basics Of Why We Breathe:

  • Subconscious signals make us breathe

    • The blood PH will change and that will trigger when we take our next breath

  • Breathing carries oxygen to the cells

    • Slower and fewer breaths creates more oxygen to the cells

  • Breathing removes excess carbon dioxide (CO2)

    • Which triggers the breathing pattern

    • CO2 balances and maintains PH of the blood

    • Prevents smooth muscle spasms

  • The upper and lower part of the lungs along with the diaphragm should be moving while breathing

Nasal Breathing Simplified

  • Taking a breath through the nose enters the sinuses, which then creates something called nitric oxide. Nitric oxide helps oxygenate the blood by 10-18%, thus increasing the oxygen absorption in the lungs.

  • Nasal breathing is meant to filter the air entering in the lungs. This removes around 98% of allergens, bacteria and viruses.

  • Nasal breathing also warms and moistens the air going into the lungs.

Mouth Breathing Simplified

  • No filtrations or warming- all dust, pollen and allergens go directly to the lungs

  • Mouth breathing expels carbon dioxide too quickly

  • Decreases oxygen absorption- oxygen is absorbed on the exhale and not the inhale

  • Leads to a drop in PH of the blood- which triggers you to take another breath too quickly and then leads to over breathing (hyperventilation)

When Is It Okay To Have Your Mouth Open?

  • Kissing

  • Taking a bite of food (not chewing)

  • Talking

  • Smiling

  • Oral Hygiene (brushing and flossing)

Problems With Mouth Breathing:

  • Children will suffer from poor sleep disturbances which leads to poor brain development, ADD, ADHD and poor quality of life.

  • Bed wetting can be a sign of mouth breathing. When the tongue falls to a low posture during sleep, the tongue falls back in the airway resulting in blockage of air. Many times a child will wet the bed, which is the bodies natural way to wake one up to get oxygen. In adults, it is also seen by waking up to use the bathroom in the middle of the night, possibly multiple times.

  • Lack of energy and lethargy are very common with mouth breathers. Inadequate oxygen absorption leads to a lack of energy. If you find yourself needing coffee in the middle of the day or evening that is a sign you might be a mouth breather.

  • Tooth decay and gum disease are common with mouth breathing due to xerostomia (lack of saliva) and increase of bacterial growth. Saliva naturally cleanses the teeth and mouth.

  • The tonsil area can become dry, enlarged and infected from inadequate tongue posture due to mouth breathing. Tonsil stones are also common with mouth breathing due to lack of moisture and cleansing.

  • Significant lower incisor proclination, lip incompetency and convex facial profile

Mouth Breathers Are Prone To:

  • Nasal congestion

  • Itchy or watery eyes

  • Runny nose

  • Allergies

  • Asthma

  • Enlarged tonsils

  • Bad breath

  • Sleep disturbances

  • Snoring

  • Drinking water throughout day and night

  • Tongue thrust

  • Abnormal swallowing pattern

  • Altered speech

  • Poor jaw development

  • Orthodontic relapse

  • Chewing with the mouth open

  • Always licking lips or using Chap Stick

  • Low energy level and high stress

  • Gum disease such as gingivitis or periodontitis

Benefits Of Nasal Breathing:

  • Optimal palatal development

  • Increased stamina and endurance

  • The parasympathetic nervous system calms and heals with nasal breathing

  • Improved concentration and athletic performance - from nasal breathing and the tongue on the roof of the mouth

  • A feeling of calmness and focus

  • Lower pulse rate