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Mouth breathing appears harmless.  For many, breathing is breathing and it has no relevance whether it is from the mouth or nose.

Why do some people mouth breath?
Chronic allergies, tonsil hypertrophy, nasal polyps, deviated nasal septum, constricted upper airways, a backward positioned lower jaw caused by thumb sucking, excessive pacifier use or insufficient suckling as an infant.  Children with special needs such as Autism, Asperger Syndrome, Down’s Syndrom, etc…. are often mouth breathers.  Pediatricians and many otolaryngologists often do not understand nor appreciate the long term mouth breathing problems during the critical early facial growth period.  Pediatricians say the child will eventually “grow” into his/her tonsils or adnoids.  Unfortunately, by the time that happens, the habit of mouth breathing has already been formed and facial manifestations have resulted.
Some of these manifestations are:
*  Facial vertical growth patterns (growing a longer narrow face)
*  Gummy (smile shows a lot of gum tissue)
*  Dry mouth (gum tissue is red and puffy due to dryness)
*  Crossbite… Tongue posture is important for jaw growth.The correct tongue position is up, on the roof of the mouth. If and when the tongue is positioned down, the lower arch is stimulated creating a narrow upper arch and a larger lower arch.  Many times creating a crossbite relationship.

Recommendations:
1. See an ENT for a consult to evaluate tonsils and adnoids
2. See a Speech-language pathologists, sometimes called speech therapists
3. Make an appointment with an orthodontist

It is important to breath through the nose because:
1. The nose filters the air, it is healthier

Try These Exercises: )
*  While watching a movie, place a plastic tooth pick longways between the lips to form a seal.  If the toothpick falls, the seal has been broken.
*  A piece of gentle tape over the lips during a movie works well, also.
*  Practice a humming sound

Can periodontal disease affect more than just your mouth?

If you have been told you have periodontal disease (also known as gum disease or periodontitis), you’re not alone.  An estimated 80 percent of American adults currently have some form of the disease. Periodontal diseases range from simple gum inflammation to serious disease that results in major damage to the soft tissue and bone that support the teeth.  In the worst cases, teeth are lost.

Gum disease is a threat to your oral health.  Reasearch is also pointing to health effects of periodontal diseases that go well beyond you mouth.

What is Periodontal Disease?

“Perio” means around, and “dontal” refers to teeth.  Periodontal disease is an infection of the structures around the teeth, including the gums and the bones that hold the teeth.  The earliest stage of periodontal disease is gingivitis – an infection of the gus.  In more severe forms of the disease, all of the tissues are involved, including the bone.  Bacteria that live and reproduce on the teeth and gums cause periodontal disease.

Symptoms of Periodontal Disease

Symptoms may include the following:

• redness or bleeding of gums while brushing teeth or using dental floss
• halitosis, or bad breath
• gum recession, resulting in apparent lengthening of teeth
• “pockets” between the teeth and gums indicating that the bone which holds the teeth in the mouth is dissolving
• loose teeth

Gum inflammation and bone destruction are largely painless.  Hence, people may wrongly assume that painless bleeding after teeth cleaning is insignificant, although this may be a symptom of progressing periodontitis.  If your hands bled when you washed them, you would be concerned.  Yet, many people think it’s normal if their gums bleed when they brush or floss.

Periodontal Disease Affects Your Health

Periodontal disease is a putrid, festering infection of the mouth.  Bacteria and inflammatory particles can enter the bloodstream through ulcerated and bleeding gums and travel to the heart and other organs.  In recent years, gum disease has been linked to a number of health problems. Researchers are studying possible connections between gum disease and:

• Heart disease: Gum disease may increase the risk of heart disease.  Gum disease also is believed to worsen existing heart disease.
• Stroke: Gum disease may increase the risk of the type of stroke caused by blocked arteries.
• Diabetes: People with diabetes and periodontal desease may be more likely to have trouble controlling their blood sugar than diabetics with healthy gums.
• Premature births: A woman who has gum diseases during pregnancy may be more likely to deliver her baby too early and the infant may be more likely to be of low birth weight.

Combating periodontal Disease

1. See your dentist! See your dentist every six months for a checkup!  Regular professional cleanings and checkups make you feel good, look good, and could be a lifesaver!
2. Brush and floss daily. Take your time and do it right!
3. Use an anti-bacterial mouthwash. Daily use of an anti-bacterial mouthwash helps to disinfect the teeth and gums, and reduces the number of bacteria.
4. Straighten your teeth! Crowded teeth are nearly impossible to keep clean.  Orthodontic treatment can greatly reduce inflammation and periodontal disease. Invisalign can eliminate crowding without metal brackets and wires.

I recently attended a special evening where a renown plastic surgeon spoke and presented cases showing the many options available to restore, repair and take your face back in time for a refreshing, more youthful look.  Needless to say, it was a very interesting evening.  Patient before and after photos were shown on a big screen.  The doctor closed the evening by introducing those patients to us so that we could observe in person.  I must say, they did look beautiful… until they smiled!

What an eye opener (a little pun there)!  Their teeth aged them!  They should have finished the job…. and fixed their smile.  As we age, it is normal for our bites to deepen and teeth to crowd up.  Even the color of our teeth show age. I witness case after case of adults who get braces or invisalign to correct their teeth and are pleasantly surprised with the benefit of looking younger.  Myself included… I had braces about 10 years ago.  It was one of the best things I ever did.  People are constantly saying to me… “I can’t believe you have grandkids” or I can’t believe you have children that old”!  I make sure that I wear my retainers every other night.  That way my bite can’t deepen or my teeth crowd up again.  That is one of my anti-aging routines.

Take a look in the miror.  Does your mouth say “old”?  Invest in a SMILE, the value is PRICELESS!  See an Orthodontist for your “facelift”!