Is Mouth Breathing Bad?

Breathing is easy, right? It’s automatic, constant, and obviously necessary. But did you know that how you breathe can actually have an effect on your oral and overall health?

What Is Mouth Breathing?

Mouth breathing occurs when someone consistently breathes in and out through their mouth instead of their nose. While it’s normal to breathe through your mouth sometimes (like during intense exercise or when your nose is congested) it becomes problematic when it turns into a habitual way of breathing.

The nose is specifically designed to filter air we breathe. In addition, your nose acts like a natural humidifier. Breathing through the mouth bypasses these benefits, potentially leading to health challenges.

What Causes Mouth Breathing?

There are several possible causes for mouth breathing, including both physical and habitual factors. These may include:

Nasal Congestion: Allergies, colds, sinus infections, or a deviated septum can block nasal airflow, forcing you to breathe through your mouth.
Enlarged Tonsils or Adenoids: Enlarged tissue in the throat can obstruct airflow and lead to mouth breathing, particularly in children.
Facial or Structural Issues: Certain jaw or facial shapes can make it easier or more natural to breathe through the mouth.
Habit: For some, mouth breathing begins during periods of stress or in response to nasal blockage and continues as a habit even when the cause is no longer present.

It’s important to identify the underlying cause of mouth breathing to properly address it, and hopefully improve the long-term outcomes of treatment.

How Does Mouth Breathing Affect Oral Health?

Mouth breathing is not only a harmless habit. Unfortunately, it can have significant implications for your oral health.

Dry Mouth

Breathing through the mouth can cause a real reduction in saliva production. Saliva keeps your mouth moist, neutralizing acids, and washing away food debris. Without enough saliva, you are more prone to tooth decay, gum disease, and bad breath, not to mention discomfort.

Tooth Decay and Gum Disease

A dry mouth creates favorable conditions for harmful bacteria. This can mean an increased risk of cavities and gingivitis.

Abnormal Dental Development in Children

For children, habitual mouth breathing can interfere with proper jaw and facial development. It may lead to issues such as a narrow jaw, misaligned teeth, or an overbite.

Bad Breath

When your mouth is dry due to consistent mouth breathing, bacteria can accumulate, leading to persistent bad breath.

Enamel Erosion

Reduced saliva in the mouth means less protection for your tooth enamel from minerals in your saliva. Over time, this increases the risk of enamel erosion and tooth sensitivity.

Mouth Breathing and Overall Health

Mouth breathing doesn’t just stop at oral health concerns. It can also cause issues in other areas of the body, including:

Poor Sleep Quality - Mouth breathing is often linked to sleep-disordered breathing, like snoring or sleep apnea.
Weakened Immune System - Since nasal breathing filters out dust, bacteria, and allergens, those who breathe through their mouth are less protected and may have a higher risk of respiratory infections or allergies.
Lower Oxygen Levels - Mouth breathing can result in lower oxygen delivery to the blood, which may impact energy levels and physical performance.

Can Mouth Breathing Be Treated?

The good news is that mouth breathing can often be treated or managed once the underlying cause is identified.

Address Nasal Congestion

If nasal blockage is the issue, treatments like nasal sprays, allergen avoidance, or sinus surgery may help restore normal breathing.

Orthodontic Treatment

For children and adults with dental or jaw misalignment, braces or other orthodontic treatments can help correct these structural issues and promote nasal breathing.

Behavioral Therapy

Mouth breathing is sometimes a learned habit that can be corrected using breathing exercises, often guided by a speech therapist or breathing coach.

Surgery

For cases involving enlarged tonsils, a deviated septum, or other anatomical issues, surgical intervention may be necessary to improve airflow through the nose.

Protect Your Oral Health

Practicing good oral hygiene and scheduling regular dental appointments helps ensure your teeth and gums stay healthy even if you tend to breathe through your mouth. At home, you may consider using a humidifier to add moisture to the air and prevent dryness in your throat or mouth.

Find our More About Mouth Breathing

If you’re concerned about mouth breathing for yourself or your child, consulting your dentist and other health care providers can help to identify the underlying cause and suggest treatment.

We can also assess the impact mouth breathing might be having on your oral health and recommend steps to improve it. Get in touch today. Together, we’ll help you breathe easier!