The Effects of Mouth Breathing on Oral Health

Breathing through your mouth might seem harmless at first, but research shows that consistent mouth breathing can affect your overall health.

It can increase your risk of dental problems, reduce sleep quality, and affect facial growth. Let’s go over why mouth breathing is a problem, how it happens, and what you can do to promote nasal breathing.

What is Mouth Breathing and Why is it a Problem?

There are two ways for air to enter your lungs when you breathe: through your nose and your mouth. While both airways can deliver oxygen, they do so in different ways.

For example, nasal breathing can filter and moisturize the air we breathe, improving oxygen absorption. Meanwhile, mouth breathing bypasses these beneficial steps, resulting in poor oxygen intake.

While breathing through your mouth is normal from time to time, chronic mouth breathing can increase your risk of the following:

• Tooth decay
• Gum disease
• Cavities
• Poorly aligned teeth
• Jaw problems
• Dry mouth
• Speech and swallowing difficulties
• Enlarged tonsils and adenoids
• Worsened asthma symptoms
• Cough and infections
• Bacteria and viruses slipping into your respiratory system
• Worsened sleep apnea

Comparing Nasal and Mouth Breathing

Effects	Nasal Breathing	Mouth Breathing
Air Filtration	Nasal hairs and mucus trap allergens, pathogens, and particles.	Lacks significant filtration, increasing exposure to pollutants.
Humidification	Adds moisture to the air, protecting respiratory tissues.	Dries oral tissues, potentially causing irritation.
Nitric Oxide Production	Boosts nitric oxide, a vasodilator that improves oxygen uptake.	No nitric oxide production, reducing oxygen absorption efficiency.
Oxygen Absorption	Up to 18% more effective, thanks to slower airflow and nasal purification.	Shallow breathing can deliver less oxygen to tissues.
Diaphragm Engagement	Encourages deeper, diaphragmatic breathing.	Often results in shallow breathing in the chest.

How Does Mouth Breathing Affect Your Face?

Mouth breathing typically affects children whose facial bones are still maturing. Children who breathe through their mouth may narrow their dental arch, leading to crowded or crooked teeth.

Additionally, chronic mouth breathing can reshape the jawline, creating a “long face” appearance. Other potential issues include:

• High palatal vault — The palate arches higher, sometimes further restricting airflow.
• Forward head posture ⁠— When breathing is difficult, children often adapt by tilting their head forward, which affects neck and spinal alignment.
• Narrow jaw ⁠— Reduced tongue pressure on the palate leads to a smaller, more constricted upper jaw.

On the other hand, adults have completed bone growth, so they don’t develop new jaw changes to the same extent. However, mouth breathing can exacerbate conditions like temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ) disorders or preexisting sleep apnea.

What Causes Mouth Breathing?

Usually, mouth breathing happens because of an obstructed nasal airway. A partial or complete blockage can prevent airflow into the nasal passages.

If your body can’t get enough oxygen through your nose, it turns to mouth breathing.

Several conditions cause blocked nasal airways and increase the risk of mouth breathing, including:

• Nasal congestion
• Enlarged adenoids
• Enlarged tonsils
• Enlarged turbinates
• Deviated septum
• Nasal polyps
• Tumors
• Cleft palate
• Injury
• Obstructive sleep apnea
• Stress and anxiety

Symptoms of Mouth Breathing

There are a few signs that point to chronic mouth breathing. Children may also experience additional symptoms.

Mouth breathing can cause various symptoms, including:

• Dry mouth
• Bad breath
• Snoring
• Daytime sleepiness
• Speech problems

Meanwhile, children may develop behavioral problems similar to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). They may be irritable and have problems concentrating at school.

Additionally, malocclusions can lead to chewing difficulties and jaw pain. This is more likely to happen during childhood as the teeth erupt.

How is Mouth Breathing Treated?

Treatment for mouth breathing depends on the underlying cause. Some of the most common treatment options include:

• Antihistamines
• Nasal decongestants
• Steroid nasal spray
• Dental appliances
• A continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine
• Surgery
• Adhesive strips
• Myofunctional therapy

Can You Prevent Mouth Breathing?

It may not always be possible to prevent mouth breathing. However, you can lower your risk by practicing breathing through your nose.

If your nose is congested, try blowing your nose, taking a steam inhalation, or using a nasal rinse. Using extra pillows can also help reduce congestion when you sleep.

If you’re breathing through your mouth due to stress, try yoga, meditation, or deep breathing exercises to help calm your breathing. Lastly, try keeping your house clean to reduce allergic reactions or take antiallergy medication.

When to Seek Professional Help?

You should consider seeking professional help if you’re experiencing chronic or persistent nasal congestion. This may indicate structural issues, such as a deviated septum or nasal polyps.

Severe sleep problems, such as loud snoring, interrupted sleep, or sleep apnea, also require professional attention. Lastly, it’s important to see a pediatric dentist, an orthodontist, or an ENT specialist for jaw misalignments in children.

Spotting these problems early in development can prevent long-term issues in the future.complications by seeking treatment as soon as possible.