Do you—or your child—often breathe through the mouth instead of the nose? Mouth breathing might seem harmless, but it can have a surprising impact on your health, appearance, and quality of life. At BreatheWorks, we see firsthand how chronic mouth breathing can disrupt sleep, cause dental and jaw problems, and even affect your mood and energy. The good news? Identifying and addressing the root causes early can make a world of difference.
What Is Mouth Breathing?
Mouth breathing is the habit of inhaling and exhaling through the mouth instead of the nose—especially at rest, during sleep, or even during daily activities. Occasional mouth breathing is normal (like during heavy exercise or a bad cold), but chronic mouth breathing can signal an underlying issue with the airway, nasal passages, or oral habits.
Common Causes of Mouth Breathing
1. Nasal Obstruction
- Allergies (seasonal or year-round)
- Chronic nasal congestion or sinus infection treatment
- Enlarged adenoids or tonsils (especially in children)
- Deviated septum or nasal polyps
2. Airway Dysfunction
- Underdeveloped or narrow nasal passages
- Poor tongue posture (low tongue, not supporting the palate)
- Habitual open-mouth posture from childhood
3. Oral Habits and Structure
- Thumb sucking, pacifier use, or bottle feeding beyond infancy
- Jaw or facial structure differences (small upper jaw, receded chin)
- Tongue tie or restricted tongue movement
4. Medical or Neurological Issues
- Asthma or chronic respiratory disease
- Neurological conditions affecting muscle tone or coordination
How Common Is Mouth Breathing?
- Studies estimate that up to 50% of children may mouth breathe regularly, often due to allergies, enlarged tonsils, or chronic nasal congestion (Abreu et al., 2008).
- Many adults continue mouth breathing into later life, especially if not addressed in childhood.
Long-Term Effects of Mouth Breathing
Mouth breathing doesn’t just dry out your lips—it can affect the entire body. Here’s how:
1. Facial and Jaw Development
- Chronic mouth breathing can change facial growth in children, leading to long faces, receded chins, and narrow dental arches.
- Increases risk of crowded, crooked teeth and need for braces.
- Promotes open-bite and other malocclusion (bite) issues.
2. Dental Health
- Dry mouth reduces saliva, which protects teeth from decay.
- Mouth breathers are at higher risk for cavities, gum disease, and bad breath.
3. Sleep Quality and Daytime Energy
- Mouth breathing is strongly linked with snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in both kids and adults.
- Causes restless sleep, frequent waking, and daytime fatigue.
- In children, can lead to trouble focusing, hyperactivity, and poor school performance.
4. Speech and Swallowing Issues
- Alters tongue and lip posture, increasing the risk for speech sound disorders (such as lisps) and swallowing problems.
- Can lead to picky eating and inefficient chewing.
5. Airway and Respiratory Health
- Nasal breathing filters, warms, and humidifies air—mouth breathing does not.
- Bypassing the nose exposes the lungs to more allergens and irritants, raising the risk of respiratory infections and asthma.
6. Posture and Body Function
- Mouth breathing often goes hand-in-hand with forward head posture and tension in the neck and shoulders, which can further restrict the airway and affect overall body alignment.
Signs You or Your Child May Be Mouth Breathing
- Mouth often open, even at rest or while sleeping
- Snoring or noisy breathing at night
- Dry mouth or sore throat upon waking
- Chapped lips, bad breath, or frequent cavities
- Difficulty breathing through the nose, frequent congestion
- Elongated facial appearance, dental crowding, or open bite
- Daytime tiredness, irritability, or attention problems
Why Early Intervention Matters
The earlier mouth breathing is addressed, the easier it is to prevent long-term health, dental, and developmental issues. Many effects on jaw growth and airway can be reversed or improved with myofunctional therapy, airway optimization, and multidisciplinary care.
How BreatheWorks Can Help
At BreatheWorks, we specialize in identifying the root causes of mouth breathing and providing personalized, whole-patient care:
- Comprehensive airway, myofunctional, and whole-patient evaluations
- Myofunctional therapy to retrain tongue posture, swallowing, and breathing patterns
- Collaboration with ENTs, dentists, and medical specialists to resolve underlying obstructions
- Education and support for healthy nasal breathing habits in both children and adults
If you or your child is struggling with mouth breathing, snoring, jaw pain, or sleep issues, don’t wait. Contact BreatheWorks today for a comprehensive assessment—and take the first step toward healthier breathing, sleep, and lifelong wellness.
