What can happen if I primarily breathe through my mouth?
Mouth breathing can cause a range of symptoms that can affect all parts of our body from our teeth to our digestive system. Some of these symptoms include:
- Underdeveloped upper and lower jaws
- Crowded and poorly aligned teeth
- Orthodontic relapse
- Changes to facial appearance
- Stomach pain and problems
- Delayed speech and language development in children
- ADD and ADHD-like symptoms in children
- Poor sleep
What causes mouth breathing?
Specific causes of mouth breathing can include:
- Food sensitivities and allergies
- Enlarged tonsils or adenoids
- Chronic nasal congestion
- Respiratory infection
- Asthma
- Deviated septum
- Nasal polyps
Each of these issues can make it difficult or impossible for a person to breathe through their nose, and when this happens, their only option is to breathe through their mouth. If this isn’t corrected, it can become a habit that’s set for life.
