Chronic mouth breathing is more common than you may think. Mouth breathing can cause a number of health issues, including snoring, sleep apnea, fatigue, irritability, a weakened immune system, and poor dental hygiene. If left untreated, it can lead to more serious health issues such as chronic bronchitis, asthma, and even respiratory failure.
When breathing through the mouth, the air enters the lungs without passing through nasal passages. Because of this, there are fewer particles that can be filtered out of the air as it is breathed in. This means that more pollutants and irritants enter your body, which can cause inflammation and other health problems.
In addition to environmental pollutants, chronic mouth breathing can also cause dehydration because the air will be dryer and warmer than when breathed in through the nose. As a result, your body needs more water to keep it hydrated and functioning properly. This can lead to fatigue, headaches, dizziness, and poor oral health.
When it comes to oral health, chronic mouth breathing can cause dryness in the mouth and throat, leading to periodontal disease which is advanced gum disease involving bone loss or gingivitis. It can also lead to a decrease in saliva production, which is important for maintaining dental hygiene and preventing tooth decay.
Luckily, there are ways that you can treat chronic mouth breathing and its effects. Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy at Cumberland OMT can help you learn how to breathe correctly so that you can prevent or reduce the negative effects of chronic mouth breathing. With this therapy, you can learn how to properly position your lips and tongue, as well as proper posture when sleeping, which can help with better oxygenation throughout the body.
In addition, you will learn how to do specialized exercises that can help to redirect the pathways from the brain to the muscles. This will allow you to have a healthy rest posture so you can breathe better through your nose. This can also reduce snoring and sleep apnea symptoms. Mouth Breathing can affect anyone of any age, at Cumberland OMT we treat patients ages 4 and up.
Signs and symptoms of mouth breathing:
- Chronic dry cracked lips
- Chronic plaque build-up and inflammation around front teeth
- Drooling during the day and or night
- Poor sleep
- Audible breathing.
Mouth Breathing has a negative impact on the development of the jaw and teeth placement. This can cause crooked teeth and an underdeveloped lower jaw causing a bad bite. Chronic mouth breathing can result in relapse after orthodontics have been completed. Correcting this unhealthy rest posture through OMT is protecting your investment in orthodontics.
Overall, chronic mouth breathing can lead to a number of health issues if left untreated. However, with proper diagnosis and treatment, you can reduce or prevent the effects of chronic mouth breathing. If you think that you may be suffering from chronic mouth breathing, consider seeking help from an Orofacial Myofunctional Therapist at Cumberland OMT to learn how to breathe properly and maintain your oral health.