Have you noticed how you or your child breathe during the day or at night? Through the nose or through the mouth?
The question of how we breathe is becoming ever more important. The way we take in air can affect the position of our teeth, our speech, the development and growth of children's faces, sleep quality and even our energy later in the day!
Correct breathing starts with nasal breathing. Many of us feel tense, overtired and overstimulated in everyday life. Breathing in and out through the nose helps us to breathe more fully and deeply, which allows the lower part of the lungs to distribute more oxygen throughout the body. In addition, the lower part of the lungs is linked to our parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for calming the body and mind.
Mouth breathing, by contrast, is a kind of emergency breathing. During this process the upper part of the lungs does the work, so sympathetic nerve receptors drive us to become more hyperactive and prevent deep sleep. To compensate for constant drowsiness, our body starts producing more adrenaline. Children are often unable to reach their academic potential because of poor concentration; they may be diagnosed with behavioural problems and a weakened immune system.
As face and jaw physiotherapists, we can help you. A particularly effective therapy for mouth breathing problems is myofunctional therapy. It is physiotherapy for the facial muscles that helps to restore balance in the facial muscles, break harmful habits (such as thumb sucking) and teaches correct breathing.
Consequences of persistent mouth breathing:
• Open bite (the upper front teeth do not meet the lower front teeth).
• Crowded teeth.
• Narrow upper jaw.
• A long, narrow face develops.
• The upper gums show when smiling.
• The facial muscles strain unnaturally when trying to close the lips.
Mouth breathing leads to facial muscle imbalance and pathological changes in the skull and facial structures – the position of the teeth in the dental arch changes, as do the position of the lips, tongue and jaws and the shape of the hard palate.
Typical features of mouth breathers:
• Short lower lip.
• Dry, cracked corners of the lips.
• Dark circles under the eyes.
• Forward head posture.
• Enlarged lower third of the face.
• Increased mandibular angle.
• Intraorally – a deep, narrow palate.
• V-shaped dental arch.
• Lateral crossbite, anterior open bite, increased overjet, a tendency towards Angle Class II malocclusion, gingivitis of the front teeth.
Malocclusion gives rise to anatomical pathologies of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which lead to poor posture, joint pain and, as a result, a lower quality of life.
Because of the non-physiological position of the teeth, the self-cleansing, protective and chewing functions of the teeth are impaired. These disorders lead to bad breath, a higher risk of tooth decay, greater susceptibility to infections and weakened immunity. Speech may also be affected.
How do I know if I breathe through my mouth?
During the day you can notice and control it yourself; it is much harder to notice whether your mouth is open at night. Ask someone close to you to observe your sleep. If that is not possible, pay attention to a few signs:
• Dry oral mucosa.
• Snoring.
• Dark circles under the eyes.
• Bad breath.
• Hoarseness (in the morning, just after waking).
• “Brain fog” (poorer concentration, memory problems).
• You wake up feeling tired and irritable.
If you notice at least 2 signs that apply to you, we recommend seeking specialist help without delay.
Causes of mouth breathing:
• Obstructive sleep apnoea.
• Habits formed in childhood (prolonged dummy use, finger sucking).
• Incorrect tongue posture.
• Enlarged adenoids.
• Chronic allergies.
• Deviated nasal septum.
• Tumours.
• Genetic anomalies.