Mouth Breathing
Mouth breathing is a common habit where individuals breathe primarily through their mouth rather than through their nose. This may occur during sleep or while awake, and can be due to nasal congestion, allergies, or as a result of chronic poor habits. Mouth breathing can lead to a variety of issues, including dry mouth, bad breath, and dental problems. More significantly, concerns of mouth breathing are improper tongue posture and misalignment of the teeth and jaw. It can also contribute to sleep apnea and other breathing or health issues.
How Mouth Breathing Affects the Body​
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Dry Mouth: Mouth breathing dries out the mouth, resulting in an increased risk of cavities, gum disease, and bad breath.
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Poor Oral Posture: The tongue should ideally rest on the roof of the mouth, while mouth breathing often leads to the tongue resting on the bottom of the mouth. THis can impact the aligntment of the teeth and jaws.
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Facial Development: Chronic mouth breathing in children can negatively impact facial development, resulting in elongated face, narrow dental arches, and crooked teeth.
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Sleep Issues: Poor sleep quality, daytime fatique, and other health problems are all associated with snoring and sleep apnea, which are both associated with mouth breathing.
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Jaw Issues: The jaw muscles and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) can be placed under stress during mouth breathing, leading to discomfort, clenching, and grinding.
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Mouth Breathing and Myofunctional Therapy​
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Encourages Nasal Breathing: The primary goal of myofunctional therapy is to encourage nasal breathing and enhancing its several benefits, including filtering the air, increasing oxygen absorption, and promoting proper tongue posture. ​
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Corrects Tongue Posture: The key in preventing mouth breathing is correct tongue posture, and therapy will help to build the tongue muscle to rest comfortably on the roof of the mouth, creating a natural seal. This helps to support the alignment of the teeth and the jaw. ​
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Promotes Better Jaw Alignment: Strength training the muscles of the face and jaw will support proper alignment and function of these muscles. Swallowing and chewing muscles are also addressed during therapy, promoting a balanced relationship between the tongue, teeth, lips, and jaw, which promotes nasal breathing. ​
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Improves Nasal Airflow: Exercises that improve nasal breathing will be provided through myfounctional therapy, encouraging nasal breathing patterns. If there are nasal obstruction issues, other healthcare providers will be collaborated with to provide appropriate medical interventions. ​
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Helps with Sleep Issues: Improving sleep quality through nasal breathing is an essential goal of myofunctional therapy. Exercises are provided to promote nasal breathing, ensuring proper airway structure is obtained and the risk of airway collapse during sleep is reduced. ​
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Prevents Future Dental and Facial Issues: Dental and facial development issues will be prevented in children when mouth breathing is corrected. Early intervention is key in improving facial symmetry, better arch developmental, and fewer problems orthodontically in the future. ​