Mouth breathing may seem harmless, but growing research related to it, suggests that it can significantly impact human health, especially when it becomes chronic. Many people breathe through their mouths without even realizing it, particularly during sleep. According to the “Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine”, habitual mouth breathing is linked to snoring, poor sleep quality, and even obstructive sleep apnea due to reduced oxygen levels in the body.
Moreover, few research studies published in the journal “American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics” demonstrate that chronic mouth breathing in children can alter facial development and lead to dental issues. Adults also often experience dry mouth, bad breath, and increased risk of cavities due to it. Additionally, research published in the journal “Respiratory Physiology & Neurobiology” shows that nasal breathing improves oxygen delivery and brain function by increasing nitric oxide production, a benefit not seen with the process of mouth breathing.
How to regulate this mouth breathing and what strategies can work best?
Is mouth breathing more common due to physical issues (like congestion or anatomy) or lifestyle factors (like stress and posture)?
Do you think most people are even aware of how they breathe? What would help raise awareness?
Mouth breathing is more than just a habit; it can signal health concerns. Chronic mouth breathing may cause dry mouth, bad breath, sleep disturbances, and dental issues. It is often linked to nasal blockages, allergies, or sleep apnea. Correcting it improves oxygen intake, oral health, and overall well-being.
Yes, mouth breathing may cause some chronic condition such as nasal congestion, tongue thrusting, respiratory issues etc. its essential to aware how we breathe. We can avoid that by adopting healthy breathing habits and nasal breathing such as
Most people aren’t aware of how they breathe, especially during sleep or stress. Mouth breathing is often caused by nasal issues, but lifestyle factors like stress and poor posture also play a role.
Some people breath from mouth as they have condition in which they are unable to breath from nose due to congestion in the nasal passage. Mostly these conditions can be seen in small kids.
More than being a habit, mouth breathing can be a sign of health concerns. Mouth breathing mainly happens when an individual face difficulty to breathe through their nose. It can be due to obstruction in the nasal passages, sleep apnea, facial structure, stress and anxiety or birth abnormalities. I think most of the people are not aware about the causes which results in mouth breathing and raising awareness will surely help them in regulating it.
Strategies to regulate mouth breathing:
Identify and treat the underlying causes like nasal congestion, sleep apnea, structural issues.
1 Place your tongue on the roof of your mouth and breathe in and out through your nose slowly.
2 Both play a role, but the cause often starts with physical obstruction, and lifestyle factors.
3 Most people are not aware of how they breathe especially during sleep or while focused on tasks.
To awareness public health champagne, use of wearables apps, dental visits.
Mouth breathing is not habbit it is si due to discomfort while breathing through the nose mouth breathing directly connected to snoring this is due to sleep disturbance’s stress nasal congestion
Great point! Mouth breathing often goes unnoticed but can stem from both physical issues (like nasal congestion or anatomy) and lifestyle habits (like stress or poor posture).
Most people aren’t even aware of how they breathe. Simple awareness, nasal breathing exercises, and guidance from dentists or ENT specialists can make a big difference.
Identify and address the root cause. Mouth breathing can stem from physical issues like a deviated septum, sinusitis, or even changes in dental alignment. These issues can also affect your posture, and in prolonged cases, contribute to a “bird face” appearance due to facial structural changes. When it comes to supportive devices, nasal dilators are trending right now. These are small inserts that fit into the nostrils to gently expand the airway, making nasal breathing easier. Another option gaining attention is mouth taping using a gentle adhesive strip over the lips during sleep to encourage nasal breathing. But i don’t personally encourage doing that. Mouth taping isn’t suitable for everyone, especially those with sleep apnea or significant nasal obstruction.