The Troublesome Effects of Mouth Breathing

In almost every photo of me since childhood, my mouth gapes open like a Venus fly trap, the unquestionable evidence of a lifelong habit of mouth breathing laid out before me on nearly every page of my photo albums. I never knew. My teachers must have thought I was dying of boredom, and I recall hearing my parents tell me more than once that mosquitos (gulp!) were a good source of protein. Who knew all that time that I was just trying to…breathe?

The Nose Knows

Far beyond merely serving as a medium for our sense of smell or a perch for our glasses, the nose is a pretty amazing thing! We were designed to breathe through our nose, where communication with the brain keeps our blood oxygen/carbon dioxide levels in check and air is warmed, humidified, purified and mixed with a chemical called nitric oxide as it passes through the nasal airway. Nitric oxide, with its antiviral and antibacterial properties, purifies the air from foreign substances entering the body and travels to the lungs, where it dilates the blood vessels, reducing nasal congestion and blood pressure and increasing blood flow throughout the body. Mouth breathing, on the other hand, just leads to a whole lot of yuck: swollen tonsils, chronic nasal congestion, increased blood pressure, dry mouth, bad breath, tongue thrust, speech problems, snoring, dental decay, brain fog, dark under-eye circles, jaw pain and fatigue. It even negatively affects facial appearance and craniofacial growth, leading to a whole host of orthodontic and health problems down the road. So, if nasal breathing is so much better for our overall health, why doesn’t everyone just do it?

Structural Problem or Habit?

Sometimes the answer is we can’t due to structural problems, sometimes it’s that we don’t as a result of a learned habit, but most often it’s a combination of both. One thing is for certain: It’s important to get a clear picture of the underlying cause in order to target the correct solution(s). Structural problems such as deviated septum, nasal polyps, swollen nasal turbinates, enlarged tonsils/adenoids, and narrow nasal airways due to a high, narrow palate can physically prevent or restrict the movement of air through the nasal passages. To use a road construction analogy, structural issues are often solved by either fixing/removing the obstacle (minor surgery) or by widening the passage (orthodontic expansion) to pave the way for adequate air flow through the nasal sinuses. Remedying structural problems requires the expertise of an ENT, orthodontist or other professional while a habit of mouth breathing, often stemming from an underlying structural problem, an undiagnosed tongue tie or a toxic oral habit such as prolonged thumb/finger/pacifier sucking or nail biting, are addressed by correcting underlying behaviors and relearning proper function, the work of a myofunctional therapist.

How Can Myofunctional Therapy Help?

Remember the road construction analogy? That nice, smooth road you travel is the product of a team effort from planning to completion, and every person’s role plays an important and necessary part in the final outcome. The same is true in my line of work, where teamwork is crucial. It’s important to remember that learned habits travel sidecar with structural problems, which means that a mouth breathing habit has likely been around for as long as the issue that led to it in the first place. That’s why fixing one without addressing the other can be a bit like rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic! Because of muscle memory, the oral muscles of the tongue, lips, cheeks and throat will continue to function as they always have until new neuromuscular connections are made and proper function is learned, accomplished through the process of myofunctional therapy. A comprehensive exam can help to identify any areas of myofunctional impairment you may have and to develop a plan to address them…for good!

Benjamin Franklin’s adage, “The closed mouth catches no flies,” is steeped in wisdom, and though I hardly think he was referring to mouth breathing when he said it, a closed mouth is an important link in the chain of overall health.  So, the next time someone tells you to just shut your mouth, take it as a sign they care and reply, “Thank you. I will!”