Why Mouth Breathing Can Be Harmful Over Time
Mouth breathing might seem harmless, but chronic mouth breathing can lead to various health and dental issues. Mouth breathing is when someone breathes through their mouth instead of their nose. This habit can be overlooked because it is quite common, but we’re going to discuss why mouth breathing can be harmful and lead to health problems if left unaddressed and uncorrected.
What Exactly is Mouth Breathing?
When we talk about mouth breathing, it means someone is breathing in with their mouth open. Usually, people breathe through their nasal passages, but with mouth breathing, a person doesn’t breathe through their nose and instead uses their mouth to inhale and even exhale. Certain things can cause someone to mouth breathe, such as being sick and congested. Breathing through your nose when congested can be nearly impossible, leading to mouth breathing. Issues such as a deviated septum can also result in mouth breathing, as can simply being a habit. Some may have always breathed through their mouths, leading them to continue this habit throughout their lives.
Mouth breathing itself isn’t necessarily an issue, but its frequency and consistency can lead to further issues. As you continue mouth breathing, your body will adapt to this technique, leading it to continue doing so even when it’s not necessary. One of the biggest issues with this is that your nasal passages help filter and humidify the air and regulate oxygen intake, whereas your mouth does none of this.
Effects of Mouth Breathing You Need to Know
There are many effects of mouth breathing that you should know about, both short-term and long-term. Short-term effects will start early on and may not seem that “serious,” whereas long-term effects will come into play the longer a person breathes through their mouth. Here is a look at the short-term and long-term effects of mouth breathing:
Short-Term Effects
Dry Mouth: Dry mouth is one of the most common effects of mouth breathing, and it can happen pretty quickly. This is because of reduced saliva when the mouth is open.
Bad Breath: Dry mouth can allow odor-causing bacteria to grow, leading to bad breath.
Sleep Disturbance: Sleeping with your mouth open can lead to snoring and frequent waking.
Long-Term Effects
Oral Health Issues: Conditions such as cavities, gum disease, and enamel erosion can arise with mouth breathing.
Jaw Development Changes: Keeping the mouth open can cause a recessed jaw and a narrow face, especially in children with developing features.
Respiratory Issues: Because the mouth stays open, there is an increased risk of infection and worsening asthma symptoms if the person has asthma.
Overall Health: When assessing someone’s overall health, mouth breathing can contribute to chronic fatigue, reduced performance, and other systemic effects.
How Mouth Breathing Affects Sleep Disorders
Mouth breathing disrupts sleep in many ways, which can lead to chronic sleep issues and the development of sleep disorders. It can lead to snoring, which is caused by airway instability when breathing through the mouth. It can even cause sleep apnea or disrupt sleep cycles, leading to fatigue. Many people might experience these issues and not realize that the culprit is mouth breathing. Ultimately, mouth breathing can harm a person’s sleep cycle and sleep quality.
How Mouth Breathing Affects Oral Health
Mouth breathing can heavily affect oral health, leading to short-term and long-term negative effects. Mouth breathing reduces saliva in the mouth, which can lead to issues such as enamel deterioration and excess acid. With this, there can be acid buildup and bacterial growth in the mouth, leading to oral issues and bad breath. It can also lead to cavities, gingivitis, and chronic bad breath due to increased bacteria in the mouth. If you often wake up with a dry mouth, it could be due to mouth breathing.
Common Causes of Mouth Breathing
Mouth breathing is somewhat common, and the reasons it happens are also common among those who experience it. There can be a variety of reasons, some preventable and some not. Let’s explore these common causes and why they might lead to mouth breathing:
Allergies
Allergies are a common cause of mouth breathing, and mouth breathing can increase when allergies are at their peak. Ultimately, allergies cause inflammation of the nasal passages, which can lead to nasal swelling, excess mucus, and ongoing congestion. Because the nasal passages are blocked by inflammation and congestion, a person may breathe through their mouth due to the difficulty and discomfort of breathing through their nose.
Structural Problems
When we talk about structural problems, we are mostly referring to a deviated septum, in which the wall between the nostrils is misaligned and can partially block the nasal passage. Because of this, air cannot flow efficiently through the nose, and mouth breathing becomes the norm due to its ease compared to nose breathing.
Enlarged Tonsils
Enlarged tonsils are common in children, but they can also occur in adults. Excess tissue from the tonsils can block the airway, making breathing difficult during sleep. As a result, this can lead to mouth breathing, and it can be difficult to manage, as this isn’t a temporary issue but is due to physical obstructions.
Habit-Based Causes
Ultimately, habits can be difficult to break, so if a person starts mouth breathing, then it could be difficult for them to stop. It can be a difficult habit to break because it happens while we sleep, when we are not in control of stopping it.
Combatting Mouth Breathing One Day at a Time
Mouth breathing can be caused by a variety of factors, including a habit, which makes it difficult to combat. However, it’s important to identify the causes of your mouth breathing to avoid short- and long-term negative effects. Although mouth breathing itself isn’t harmful, if it is consistent, it can cause problems with your oral, dental, and overall health. When it comes to mouth breathing, identifying the cause and taking the steps to stop it is ideal for your overall health and wellness. If you or your child has signs of mouth breathing, contact your dentist to determine a plan for early intervention.
