Q: What is mouth breathing in children?
A: Mouth breathing occurs when a child breathes primarily through the mouth instead of the nose, during the day or night. While occasional mouth breathing is normal with colds, chronic mouth breathing signals airway or functional issues that need attention.
Q: Why is nasal breathing important for kids?
A: Nasal breathing:
- Filters and humidifies air for lung health
- Promotes nitric oxide release for better oxygen circulation
- Supports proper facial and jaw growth
- Reduces risk of snoring and sleep apnea
- Improves focus, behavior, and learning
Mouth breathing bypasses these benefits and can affect growth, health, and sleep.
Q: What causes mouth breathing in children?
A: Common causes include:
- Allergies or chronic congestion
- Enlarged tonsils or adenoids
- Structural nasal blockages (e.g., deviated septum)
- Tongue tie ankyloglossia or poor tongue posture
- Oral habits (pacifier use, thumb sucking)
- Weak oral and airway muscles
Q: What are signs my child may be mouth breathing?
A: Look for:
- Open-mouth posture at rest
- Snoring or noisy breathing during sleep
- Dry mouth or bad breath
- Chapped lips
- Forward head posture
- Narrow palate, crowded teeth, or orthodontic relapse
- Behavioral signs: poor focus, hyperactivity, or fatigue
Q: What are the long-term effects of chronic mouth breathing?
A: If untreated, mouth breathing may lead to:
- Narrow palate and dental crowding
- Changes in facial growth (long face, recessed jaw)
- Sleep-disordered breathing and apnea
- Speech and swallowing difficulties
- TMJ dysfunction in teens and adults
- Ongoing orthodontic relapse
Q: How does BreatheWorks help children with mouth breathing?
A: Therapy retrains function to restore nasal breathing:
- Oral rest posture training: Tongue on palate, lips closed, teeth apart
- Breathing exercises: Strengthening nasal breathing patterns
- Swallow retraining: Eliminating tongue thrust
- Airway muscle strengthening: Reducing collapse during sleep
- Parent coaching: Habits, routines, and nasal hygiene tips
- Collaboration with ENTs, pediatricians, and orthodontists for comprehensive care
Q: Can mouth breathing be corrected at home without therapy?
A: Simple steps (like saline rinses or humidifiers) may reduce congestion, but chronic mouth breathing usually needs professional evaluation and therapy to retrain habits and prevent long-term effects.
Q: Can mouth breathing therapy be done virtually?
A: Yes. Telehealth care is just as effective. Virtual sessions include:
- Evaluation of breathing and posture
- Real-time exercise coaching
- Progress tracking for kids and parents
This ensures families nationwide can access specialized care.
Q: Where do you provide in-person care?
A:
- Portland, Oregon
- Eugene, Oregon
- Lake Oswego, Oregon
- Bellevue, Washington
- Amarillo, Texas
We also provide virtual therapy across the U.S.
Quick FAQs
Can mouth breathing affect my child’s teeth? Yes—it can cause dental crowding, narrow palate, and orthodontic relapse.
Does mouth breathing affect sleep? Yes—it increases the risk of snoring, restless sleep, and obstructive sleep apnea.
Can therapy really fix mouth breathing? Yes—therapy retrains tongue posture, nasal breathing, and swallowing.
When should I seek help for mouth breathing? If mouth breathing persists beyond colds or allergies, an evaluation is recommended.
Next Steps
If your child is a mouth breather, myofunctional therapy can restore nasal breathing, improve sleep, and protect long-term growth.
- Schedule a mouth breathing evaluation (in-person or virtual)
- Providers: Refer a child to BreatheWorks
