{"id":391,"date":"2021-07-16T18:23:00","date_gmt":"2021-07-16T18:23:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.painesvilledentalgroup.com\/blog\/?p=391"},"modified":"2021-09-15T18:25:00","modified_gmt":"2021-09-15T18:25:00","slug":"the-dangers-of-mouth-breathing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.painesvilledentalgroup.com\/blog\/the-dangers-of-mouth-breathing\/","title":{"rendered":"The Dangers of Mouth Breathing"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Have you ever had a cold that stuffs up your nose so badly, you can\u2019t breathe through it? We\u2019ve all been there! When that happens, it\u2019s normal to default to mouth breathing instead. Although it might not seem like a big deal, the habit can lead to some serious oral health concerns \u2013 especially if it begins in childhood. Read along to learn how breathing out of your mouth can harm your smile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Why Do People Mouth-Breathe?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are several possible causes behind a mouth-breathing<\/a> habit. Children, in particular, might start during a bad cold and continue to breathe through their mouth even when their nose clears up. In some cases, bite alignment issues make it difficult for people to keep their mouths closed, leading to mouth breathing. Persistent allergies, overlarge tonsils, or a deviated septum can also make it challenging for people to breathe through their noses. Luckily, orthodontic treatment or surgery can correct most of these issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Does Mouth Breathing Affect Oral Health?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Mouth-breathing can lead to various health issues, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dry Mouth<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Breathing out of your mouth dries it out, causing saliva production to decrease \u2013 and that is bad news for your mouth. Saliva plays a crucial role in maintaining good oral health by eliminating harmful bacteria and neutralizing acids. If your mouth is not producing an adequate amount of saliva, your chances of developing tooth decay, chronic bad breath, and other issues are much higher.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lack of Energy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When mouth breathing, your body isn\u2019t getting as much oxygen as it usually does. Typically, this results in poor sleep quality and lower overall energy levels. For children, that means they\u2019ll likely have a hard time paying attention in school. For adults, it can cause their productivity at work to suffer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sleep Apnea<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Your risk of sleep apnea increases significantly when you mouth-breathe. Not sure what that is? It\u2019s a sleep disorder that causes your breathing to stop and start repeatedly. If you snore loudly and still feel tired even after a full night\u2019s sleep, you might have this disorder. It\u2019s important that you seek treatment as soon as possible to prevent heart problems and other complications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Facial Deformities<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Mouth breathing can be a life-altering habit if it begins in childhood and goes unchecked. It can cause the bones on their face to develop into a long, narrow shape with a flattened nose, short upper lip, and pouty lower lip. Breathing out of the mouth can also cause crooked teeth, gummy smiles, headaches, and sore throats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Do You Know If You\u2019re a Mouth Breather?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Here are common signs and symptoms that could indicate you\u2019re a mouth breather:<\/p>\n\n\n\n