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Did you know that approximately 30% to 50% of adults breathe through their mouths, especially during the early morning hours? This habit, common among those with blocked or restricted nasal passages, is known as mouth breathing and can lead to various health issues for both children and adults. However, there are several ways to get rid of this unwanted but compulsive habit through mouth breathing treatments in Dubai. Read on to understand its causes, impacts, and solutions to enjoy a peaceful sleep.
Is Mouth Breathing Affecting Your Health?
It is normal to breathe through the mouth during activities like exercise, running, or hitting the gym. However, the issue arises when one gasps for air while sleeping and is forced to breathe through the mouth. This habit, although often involuntary, can lead to crooked teeth, and prolonged mouth breathing can even cause “mouth breathing face.” In adults, it may also contribute to cavities and other dental issues, ultimately affecting overall health.
What Are the Causes of Mouth Breathing?
There are several causes of mouth breathing varying from children to adults. Children often develop mouth breathing due to:
- Enlarged adenoids or tonsils: These can block nasal passages, making nose breathing difficult.
- Allergies or asthma: Chronic nasal congestion from allergies or asthma can lead to mouth breathing.
- Structural issues: Conditions like a deviated septum or nasal polyps can obstruct nasal airflow.
- Jaw Position & Narrow Upper Jaw: A small or retruded jaw can restrict the airway, forcing children to breathe through the mouth.
- Poor Tongue Posture or Tongue-Tie: A low tongue posture (instead of resting against the palate) can lead to mouth breathing. Similarly, tongue-tie (ankyloglossia) can restrict tongue movement, affecting airway function.
- Habits: Thumb sucking or prolonged pacifier use may encourage mouth breathing.
In adults, it develops mainly due to:
- Chronic nasal congestion: Allergies, sinus infections, or colds can cause persistent nasal blockage.
- Structural abnormalities: A deviated septum or nasal polyps can impede nasal breathing.
- Jaw & Tongue-Related Issues: A small or retruded jaw can narrow the airway, making nasal breathing harder.
- Sleep apnea: In sleep apnea, breathing involuntarily stops and starts during sleep. This condition often leads to mouth breathing as nasal airflow is insufficient, compelling individuals to breathe through the mouth.
What Are the Impacts of Mouth Breathing?
Mouth breathing is associated with various impacts, including dry mouth, restless sleep, and snoring. Other effects may include:
- Reduced Oxygen Intake: Nasal breathing filters and humidifies air, optimizing oxygen absorption. Mouth breathing bypasses this process, leading to less efficient oxygen intake.
- Bad Breath: Constant mouth breathing can cause dry mouth, which may contribute to bad breath and increase the risk of cavities.
- Sleep Disturbances: Mouth breathing is associated with increased snoring and a higher likelihood of sleep apnea.
- Abnormal Facial Development in Children: Chronic mouth breathing during childhood can alter jaw and facial structure, potentially leading to a condition known as “mouth breathing face”.
What Are the Risk Factors of Mouth Breathing?
There are certain factors that increase the likelihood of mouth breathing, including:
- Allergies: Seasonal or environmental allergies can cause nasal congestion, which may lead to mouth breathing.
- Asthma: People with asthma may experience mouth breathing as respiratory issues often lead to this adaptation.
- Chronic Sinus Infections: Persistent sinus infections can block or narrow down the nasal passage, compelling individuals to breathe through the mouth.
- Structural Nasal Problems: Conditions like a deviated septum or nasal polyps can obstruct airflow, creating a tendency to breathe through the mouth.
How to Treat Mouth Breathing?
At Euromed Clinic, our ENT specialists and airway-focused dentists treat mouth breathing by addressing its root causes. During the consultation, the doctor examines the nasal passages, throat, jaw structure, tongue posture, and overall breathing patterns to identify obstructions or other contributing factors. Based on these findings, a personalized treatment plan is provided to the patient. The treatments generally include:
- Treating underlying conditions: Managing allergies, asthma, or sinus infections can improve nasal breathing.
- Surgical interventions: Procedures to correct a deviated septum to enhance airflow. Surgical procedures can also include removing nasal polyps or enlarged tonsils that may obstruct breathing.
- Myofunctional therapy: Specialized exercises to strengthen facial muscles, promote proper tongue posture, and nasal breathing.
- Jaw repositioning & expansion: Orthopedic appliances (such as palate expanders or mandibular advancement devices) help widen the upper jaw and reposition the lower jaw to improve airway space.
- Tongue-Tie Release (Frenectomy): If a tongue-tie is restricting tongue movement, a minor surgical release can allow better tongue posture, helping facilitate nasal breathing.
Exercises and Tips to Reduce Mouth Breathing
To encourage nasal breathing:
- Practice nasal breathing exercises: Consciously inhale and exhale through your nose.
- Maintain proper posture: Good posture can facilitate better breathing patterns.
- Use nasal strips: These can help open nasal passages during sleep.
- Stay hydrated: Proper hydration keeps nasal passages moist and clear.
Consultation
If you’re experiencing symptoms of mouth breathing, it’s crucial to consult a healthcare professional. For residents in Dubai, the Euromed Clinic offers comprehensive treatments for breathing disorders. For more information and consultation, please call us at +971 4 394 5422. You can also reach out to us via WhatsApp using the same number.
