Negative Effects of Mouth Breathing

The term "mouth breathing" is sometimes thrown around as slang, but did you know that there are actually negative effects that mouth breathing can have on your health? Whether researching for yourself or your child, this is an important topic to become aware of.

What are causes of mouth breathing?

Whether young or old, anybody is susceptible to conditions that cause or worsen mouth breathing. Here are examples:

Crooked teeth

Crooked teeth can make breathing through your mouth easier or unavoidable. If your teeth are very crooked, it becomes hard to block air flow moving through your mouth so you can redirect it to your sinuses.

A high palate

A high palate will make blocking the airflow through the mouth difficult. If you have a high palate, you are probably already aware due to the presence of difficulties chewing and breathing, or perhaps you have an orthodontic history of correction.

Narrow mouth

This is a structural issue similar to the other ones discussed.

Snoring

Snoring is a specific sign that you are probably mouth breathing when you sleep at night. If you wake up with a dry mouth, this is also a great indicator. Snoring usually occurs if there is a blockage of the nasal passages or a structural issue within the sinuses.

Blocked Sinus

Speaking of the structure of sinuses, they can become blocked very easily. An example of a structural or anatomical block is a deviated septum. Similarly, a nasal infection such as sinusitis can also lead to a nasal block. When this occurs, it becomes impossible to breathe through the nose, and sometimes mouth breathing occurs because the body has no other option.

So, why should I worry about mouth breathing?

It seems harmless, so why should I care? There are several reasons that have a direct impact on the health of your mouth, teeth, gums and even your entire body! Here is a summary of the benefits of breathing through your nose:

Warms the air

The nose acts as a filter to warm (or cool, in some cases) outside air before it reaches the lungs. The cells of the body have specific temperatures that they function best at, and if the outside air deviates from those optimal temperatures, then the body must expend energy to warm or cool it.

Humidifies the air

Similar to how the cells of the body have a "correct temperature setting," they also have a "moisture setting." Air that is too humid or not humid enough makes it difficult for the lungs to absorb oxygen and get rid of carbon dioxide (this is called gas exchange).

Increases nitric oxide (NO) content

Nitric oxide (NO) plays an important role in the breathing process. One of its primary functions is to expand blood vessels, which allows gas exchange to occur more easily. In a nutshell, if you breathe through your nose, you are getting more oxygen!

Request an appointment in our Albuquerque office here: https://familychoicedentistry.com.

Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.

Related Posts

Upgrade Your Life With A Smile Makeover

A smile makeover can involve one treatment or several, depending on the specific attributes of your smile you wish to address. A makeover can create a domino effect on many aspects of your life, affecting your confidence level, speech, and the frequency with which you smile. Take a closer look at the various ways our…

The Complete Guide To Teeth Straightening For Adults

Teeth straightening is not just for kids or teens. More adults are choosing to fix crooked teeth, close gaps, or improve their bite for a healthier and more confident smile. A general dentist who offers orthodontic services can help adults explore the many options available. With the right treatment, it is possible to achieve beautiful…

Understanding Orthodontic Options: Braces, Aligners, And Beyond

Orthodontics is concerned with realigning the teeth and jaw, such as with braces or aligners. A general dentist can discuss several orthodontic treatments, helping patients explore their options. Learning about what each orthodontic option involves can help patients or their caregivers choose the one best suited to smile goals and lifestyle preferences.Orthodontic care includes a…

Designing Your Smile Makeover: What To Expect

It is possible to enhance the overall appearance of a patient’s smile through a unique combination of cosmetic dental procedures. This is known as a smile makeover. Dental providers make these treatment plans custom to each patient. Here is what to expect at every step of a smile makeover, from design to execution.A smile makeover…