Did You Know that Mouth Breathing is Associated with Dental Problem

Did You Know that Mouth Breathing is Associated with Dental Problem

IS YOU CHILD MOUTH BREATHING, DO GET YOUR DENTAL CHECK UP DONE AND INFORM YOUR PEDIATRIC DENTIST ABOUT THIS WHEN YOU

Like parents are aware that many things can affect their child’s future dental health: oral hygiene, diet, or habits like thumb sucking or teeth grinding. But there’s one you might not have even considered: is the way they breathe.

In Specific, we mean breathing primarily through their mouth rather than through their nose.

Chronic mouth breathing can cause dry mouth, which in turn increases the risk of dental disease. It deprives the body of air filtration that reduces possible allergens. There’s also a reduction in nitric oxide production, stimulated by nose breathing, which benefits overall health.

Mouth breathing could also hurt your child’s jaw structure development. When breathing through the nose, a child’s tongue rests on the palate (roof of the mouth). This allows it to become a mold for the palate and upper jaw to form around. Conversely with mouth breathers the tongue rests behind the bottom teeth, which deprives the developing upper jaw of its tongue mold. The general reason for mouth breathing would be allergy problems, for example, or enlarged tonsils or adenoids pressing against the nasal cavity and interfering with breathing. Abnormal tissue growth could also obstruct the tongue or lip during breathing.

Treatment for mouth breathing will depend on its particular cause. For example, problems with tonsils and adenoids and sinuses are often treated by an Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) specialist. Cases where the mandible (upper jaw and palate) has developed too narrowly due to mouth breathing may require an orthodontist to apply a palatal expander, which gradually widens the jaw. The latter treatment could also influence the airway size, further making it easier to breathe through the nose.

The best time for many of these treatments is early in a child’s growth development. So, to avoid long-term issues with facial structure and overall dental health, you should see your dentist as soon as possible if you suspect mouth breathing.

If you would like more information on issues related to your child’s oral development and its association with mouth breathing, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation with kidznTeenz and our experts Dr.Roshan Rayen and Dr. Hariharan would guide you better.