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