Q: What’s the difference between mouth breathing and nasal breathing?
A:
- Nasal breathing filters, warms, and humidifies air. It promotes nitric oxide release, supports better oxygen delivery, and encourages proper tongue posture on the palate.
- Mouth breathing bypasses these benefits, often leading to dry mouth, airway collapse during sleep, and changes in jaw/facial growth (in children).
Q: Why is nasal breathing healthier?
A: Nasal breathing:
- Improves oxygen exchange and lung function
- Supports immune defense by filtering allergens and bacteria
- Encourages proper jaw and palate growth in children
- Reduces risk of orthodontic relapse
- Promotes deeper, more restorative sleep
Q: What are the health risks of chronic mouth breathing?
A: Mouth breathing is linked to:
- Sleep issues: snoring remedies, restless sleep, sleep-disordered breathing
- Dental/orthodontic problems: narrow palate, crowding, open bite, relapse after braces
- Dry mouth: gum disease, cavities, bad breath
- Facial changes in children: long face, recessed chin, poor tongue posture
- Behavior/attention problems: fatigue and hyperactivity in kids
- TMJ strain and tmj headache in adults
Q: How can I tell if my child (or I) mouth breathe?
A: Signs include:
- Lips open at rest, even when relaxed
- Snoring or noisy sleep
- Chapped lips, drooling, or morning dry mouth
- Forward head posture, dark under-eye circles
- Narrow palate, dental crowding, or orthodontic relapse
- Daytime fatigue, poor focus, or irritability
Q: What causes mouth breathing?
A:
- Nasal obstruction: allergies, chronic congestion, deviated septum, enlarged adenoids/tonsils
- Tongue tie/oral restrictions limiting tongue-to-palate rest
- Low oral muscle tone of lips, tongue, jaw
- Habitual open-mouth posture (often from prolonged pacifier/thumb use)
- Airway inflammation from reflux or respiratory illness
Q: How does BreatheWorks evaluate mouth breathing?
A: We assess:
- Airway and nasal patency
- Oral rest posture (tongue, lips, teeth)
- Swallowing pattern (look for tongue thrust)
- Sleep and feeding history
- Breathing efficiency at rest and during activity
We collaborate with ENTs, orthodontists/dentists, pediatricians, and other providers for comprehensive care.
Q: How do you correct mouth breathing?
A: Therapy is a step-by-step process:
- Address nasal obstruction with medical providers
- Retrain oral posture (tongue to palate, lips closed, teeth apart)
- Strengthen lips, tongue, and jaw muscles
- Swallow retraining to eliminate tongue thrust
- Breathing drills to reinforce quiet, nasal breathing day and night
- Posture coaching for better head/neck alignment
- Parent/caregiver support to reinforce habits in children
Q: Can therapy be done virtually?
A: Yes. Our telehealth program delivers the same quality of care as in-person sessions. We provide:
- Virtual evaluations
- Live exercise demonstrations
- Progress tracking and parent/caregiver coaching
This makes care accessible nationwide.
Q: Where do you provide care?
A: In-person therapy is available at:
- Portland, Oregon
- Eugene, Oregon
- Lake Oswego, Oregon
- Bellevue, Washington
- Amarillo, Texas
We also offer virtual care across the U.S..
Quick FAQs
Is mouth breathing always bad? Temporary mouth breathing during illness is normal. Chronic mouth breathing should be evaluated.
Can mouth breathing change facial shape? Yes—long-term mouth breathing in children can alter jaw and facial growth.
Does mouth breathing cause bad breath? Yes—dry mouth from mouth breathing encourages bacteria growth.
Can mouth breathing be corrected in adults? Yes—therapy retrains oral posture, improves airway tone, and reduces TMJ/dental strain.
Next Steps
If you or your child struggle with mouth breathing, therapy can restore healthy nasal breathing and prevent long-term issues.
- Schedule a breathing & airway evaluation (in-person or virtual)
- Providers: Refer a patient to BreatheWorks
