The Truth About Mouth Breathing
“The secret of life is right under your nose” - Dan Brule
Form Follows Function: The Impact of Breathing on Facial Development
In biology, the term "form follows function" refers to the concept that the shape of a body part or structure is inherently related to its intended function. Let's delve into the fascinating differences between nose breathers and mouth breathers to understand this principle better.
How does the facial structure change?
Although the genetic makeup of individuals might be similar, the way they breathe can lead to significantly different facial structures. The key player in this scenario is the tongue—an incredibly powerful muscle that can either be our best friend or our biggest foe.
Why Does This Happen?
Our bodies are naturally designed to breathe through the nose. When we breathe through our noses, the air is warmed, humidified, and filtered as it passes through. In this optimal scenario, the tongue rests on the roof of the mouth. This position of the tongue applies gentle pressure on the palate, which during the years of growth and development, acts as a natural expander. It helps to widen the upper jaw and counterbalance the inward pressure of the cheek muscles.
The Mouth Breather's Dilemma
For mouth breathers, the story takes a different turn. When the mouth is open, the tongue is pushed down and forward to allow air to pass through the mouth into the throat. This causes the tissues of the mouth, tonsils, and throat to dry out and become irritated, often leading to enlarged tonsils and further exacerbating the issue.
In this scenario, the tongue is unable to put pressure on the teeth and roof of the mouth. Consequently, the cheek muscles push inward unopposed, leading to a narrow upper jaw. This often results in a long and narrow face, a recessed jawline, a gummy smile, crowded teeth, and a nose that appears larger than normal.
But it doesn't stop there! Mouth breathing dries out the oral tissues, including the gums, teeth, and airway. This can lead to tonsil inflammation, formation of tonsil stones, bad breath, a dry throat, and even difficulty swallowing without something to wash food down. Not to mention, there's an increase in cavities and gingivitis. The lips-apart posture of a mouth breather equals a low tongue, perpetuating poor palatal development during childhood. Ever noticed a strong gag reflex with mouth breathers? That's because a fully integrated gag reflex should only exist in the esophagus, not on the tongue.
( This Photo shows a boy that in just a few years the facial features drastically changed due to the open mouth posture which created a downward growth pattern)
Beyond Aesthetics: Health Implications
These dysfunctional oral habits don't just affect aesthetics but also contribute to a decline in oral, physical, and mental health over a lifetime. By addressing the root causes of mouth breathing early on, we can steer a child's growth patterns in a healthier direction, preventing negative symptoms before they arise.
For adults, there are also options to optimize the airway. Treatments may include developing the jaws forward or using nighttime oral devices to hold the lower jaw in a position that opens the airway. While we all adapt to the body we're given and the changes it undergoes, imagine having the opportunity to enhance your body's natural functions to ensure better oxygen intake and quality sleep, leading to a more vibrant life.
A New Path to Wellness
By understanding and addressing these breathing habits, we can change the trajectory of growth and health. Whether for children or adults, optimizing the airway and jaw development can lead to not only a more desirable appearance but also improved overall well-being.
Would you like to explore how breathing habits might be affecting your health and facial development? Let's start a conversation about the best ways to achieve optimal health and well-being through proper airway and jaw development.
~The Airway Center
Want to Dive Deeper?
Related Articles
Sleep, breathing and the nose
During sleep there is a discrete fall in minute ventilation and an associated increase in upper airway resistance. In normal subjects, the nasal part of the upper airway contributes only little to the elevation of the total resistance, which is mainly the consequence of pharyngeal narrowing. Yet, swelling of the nasal mucosa due to congestion of the submucosal capacitance vessels may significantly affect nasal airflow. In many healthy subjects an alternating pattern of congestion and decongestion of the nasal passages is observed. Some individuals demonstrate congestion of the ipsilateral half of the nasal cavity when lying down on the side. Nasal diseases, including structural anomalies and various forms of rhinitis, tend to increase nasal resistance, which typically impairs breathing via the nasal route in recumbency and during sleep. A role of nasal obstruction in the pathogenesis of sleep-disordered breathing has been implicated by many authors. While it proves difficult to show a relationship between the degree of nasal obstruction and the number of disturbed breathing events, the presence of nasal obstruction will most likely have an impact on the severity of sleep-disordered breathing. Identification of nasal obstruction is important in the diagnostic work-up of patients suffering from snoring and sleep apnea.
Dirk A. Pevernagie, Micheline M. De Meyer, Sofie Claeys,
Sleep, breathing and the nose,
Sleep Medicine Reviews,
Volume 9, Issue 6,
2005,
Pages 437-451,
ISSN 1087-0792,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smrv.2005.02.002.
(https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1087079205000195)
Mouth breathing: Adverse effects on facial growth, health, academics, and behavior
Yosh Jefferson, DMD, MAGD
The vast majority of health care professionals are unaware of the negative impact of upper airway obstruction (mouth breathing) on normal facial growth and physiologic health. Children whose mouth breathing is untreated may develop long, narrow faces, narrow mouths, high palatal vaults, dental malocclusion, gummy smiles, and many other unattractive facial features, such as skeletal Class II or Class III facial profiles. These children do not sleep well at night due to obstructed airways; this lack of sleep can adversely affect their growth and academic performance. Many of these children are
misdiagnosed with attention deficit disorder (ADD) and hyperactivity.
It is important for the entire health care community (including general and pediatric dentists) to screen and diagnose for mouth breathing in adults and in children as young as 5 years of age. If mouth breathing is treated early, its negative effect on facial and dental development and the medical and social problems associated with it can be reduced or averted.
Received: February 11, 2009 Accepted: May 5, 2009