Mouth Breathing
The impact of nasal breathing on children's facial, physical and emotional development
The Importance of Nasal Breathing for Children's Facial Development & Health
When babies are born, they naturally breathe through their nose while nursing. However some children can resort to mouth breathing, especially at night or during the day when they are not nursing. This shift from nasal to mouth breathing can be an indication of a compromised airway space.
* Mouth breathing can have several causes, including nasal allergies and enlarged tonsils or adenoids. We recommend evaluation with your child's physician or an Ear, nose and throat specialist as appropriate. A dental evaluation may be one part of a broader assessment.
Negative Effects of Mouth Breathing
Altered Jaw Growth: Mouth breathing causes the lower jaw to grow downward instead of forward, further reducing airway space and perpetuating the need for mouth breathing.
Poor Tongue Position: A lips-apart posture results in a low tongue position, which further encourages mouth breathing and hinders proper palatal development.
Dry Oral Tissues: Breathing through the mouth dries out the oral tissues, including the gums teeth, and airway, leading to several problems such as tonsil inflammation and tonsil stones, bad breath, dry throat and difficulty swallowing, along with increased cavities and gingivitis.
Overall Health Impact
The adverse effects of airway obstruction due to mouth breathing extend beyond facial development. They significantly impact a child's mental and physical health:
Sleep Quality and Cognitive Functioning: Restricted lower airways contribute to poor sleep quality, which in turn hampers cognitive functioning and overall quality of life.
Long Term Health Concerns: Prolonged growth in an undesirable direction may increases the likelihood of crowded teeth and other health issues.
Benefits of Early Treatment
For young children, early orthodontic guidance may support healthy development of dental arches. The appropriate age to begin varies by child and is determined after evaluation.
Enhanced Airway Space: By beginning treatment as early as 2 years old, guided growth for both the upper and lower jaws can create more space from the back of the tongue to the throat.
Improved Development: Arch growth guidance and enhanced development can lead to and a healthier posture and facial structure.
This Diagram Shows Common Facial Features Associated with Different Growth Trajectories
Below is an example of a child who transitioned from being a nose breather to a mouth breather, showing the impact on facial and airway development
Raising awareness about the detrimental impact of mouth breathing on normal facial growth is essential for ensuring the well-being of children. Early intervention can make a significant difference, promoting not only physical health but also mental and cognitive development.
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*Information on this site is general and educational and is not a diagnosis, treatment recommendation, or guarantee of results. Orthodontic appliances described here are used for orthodontic purposes. Obstructive sleep apnea is a medical condition that requires diagnosis by a qualified provider. Oral appliance therapy for obstructive sleep apnea is provided using FDA cleared devices in coordination with the treating physician.
