Mouth Breathing Therapy: How It Works and Who Needs It
People breathe automatically, and this process is done through the nose. Many people also breathe through their mouths, which can cause various types of problems. Mouth breathing can affect the following:
Sleep
Speech
Facial growth
Overall health
Mouth breathing therapy is required for such people so that they can retain their nasal breathing habits.
What is the Difference between Mouth Breathing and Nasal Breathing?
Nasal breathing and mouth breathing have many differences, and they are discussed below:
Nasal Breathing: Nasal breathing is a natural and preferred way of breathing. This natural breathing helps in more optimal absorption of oxygen. The nose filters the air, and it also controls the temperature of the air and humidifies it. It helps to maintain the posture of the tongue and jaw and activates the diaphragm.
Mouth Breathing: People start breathing from the mouth when the nasal passages are blocked. People also breathe from the mouth due to habit or a structural issue. Continuous breathing from the mouth can affect health short term and long term.
Signs of Mouth Breathing
You may not know that you are breathing from your mouth during your sleep. There are many common signs that can tell you that you are a habitual mouth breather. These signs are listed below:
Dry mouth
Frequent thirst
Snoring or noisy breathing
Fatigue
Difficulty in concentrating
Open mouth posture while awake
Dark circles under the eyes
People can start mouth breathing in childhood or adulthood. Other reasons include allergies, enlarged tonsils, or tongue ties.
Health Issues Caused by Mouth Breathing
Chronic mouth breathing can cause many health issues, and you may face problems in speaking and sleeping. It will also affect growth in children. The long-term effects of mouth breathing are discussed below:
Poor Sleep Quality: Mouth breathing can lead to poor sleep. Children may show signs of irritability, tiredness, and behavior problems. Mouth breathers may also face the issues of sleep-disordered breathing or obstructive sleep apnea.
Difficulty in Speech and Swallowing: Mouth breathing can lead to improper posture of the tongue and a weaker tongue muscle. This can negatively affect the swallowing patterns and speech.
Dental and Facial Development: If children have the habit of mouth breathing for a long time, it can affect the growth of the jaw and face. The teeth may get crowded, the palate may become narrow, and it can also cause bite issues such as overbite, crossbite, and deep bite.
Low Immune Defense: Mouth breathing does not filter bacteria and viruses, and this can lead to various kinds of illnesses.
What is Mouth Breathing Therapy or Myofunctional Therapy?
Mouth breathing therapy is also known as myofunctional therapy or orofacial myofunctional therapy. In this mouth breathing treatment, your mouth muscles are trained so that they can rest in the proper positions. One of the solutions for mouth breathing is doing different types of exercises using the cheeks, tongue, and lips. These exercises will help to provide strength to your muscles and improve your facial movements.
How Mouth Breathing Therapy Works
The steps included in the mouth breathing therapy are as follows:
Root Cause Identification: The first step of the mouth breathing treatment is determining the root cause that is leading to mouth breathing. Some of these causes include congestion in the nose, allergies, or any structural issue. Your healthcare provider will provide some suggestions and recommend treatments or appropriate referrals to address these issues
Breathing Exercises: Breathing exercises are considered one of the most common solutions for mouth breathing. These exercises train the body for effective nasal breathing. You have to perform nasal breathing exercises, where you will learn the ways of breathing through the nose. Diaphragmatic breathing exercises will encourage deep breathing to improve the functioning of the lungs. “Mewing” is also an exercise that will help you to keep your tongue correctly to improve oral and facial development.
Nasal Dilators and Strips: If you are dealing with structural nasal issues, doctors recommend nasal dilators or strips to open the nasal passage.
Posture Correction: Poor posture of the body during sleep can also lead to mouth breathing. Your healthcare provider will let you know about the posture corrections and sleeping positions to encourage nose breathing.
Who Needs Mouth Breathing Therapy?
Mouth breathing therapy is beneficial for people of all ages. This therapy is required due to medical reasons or lifestyle factors. The following people require mouth breathing treatment:
Children: Children breathe through their mouths habitually, and this can cause various issues in their development. Children may develop problems of sleep apnea, speech problems, and poor posture. Early treatment can help to correct these issues and improve the development process.
Adults: Adults having the problem of snoring and sleep apnea will benefit from the mouth breathing treatment. This therapy helps to improve sleep quality, and snoring will also be reduced.
People with Allergies: People who suffer from various allergies or nasal congestion breathe through their mouths. These issues should be addressed to stop mouth breathing.
Conclusion
Mouth breathing is a problem in many children and adults. Children may face development issues in their speech and may show signs of irritability, tiredness, and behavior. Adults may also face various health issues like snoring/sleep apnea, dental problems, and more. The mouth breathing treatment can help children and adults to get rid of the root cause of mouth breathing and its effects.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is mouth breathing therapy suitable for snoring?
Yes! Mouth breathing therapy will encourage the nasal breathing process and and can help reduce snoring.
2. What are the benefits of breathing exercises?
Breathing exercises can improve posture and train the body to breathe through the nose. This will also help to improve the intake of oxygen.
3. Is mouth breathing the reason behind the issue of sleep apnea?
Yes! Mouth breathing can be the reason behind the sleep apnea issues. Sleep apnea is a condition where breathing is continuously disturbed. However, other factors can contribute to sleep apnea as well.
4. What are the benefits of mewing?
Mewing helps to position the tongue for oral and facial development in children, and stability in adults. This process can also reduce and eliminate the problem of mouth breathing.
5. Why is mouth breathing harmful?
Mouth breathing is harmful because it is the sub-optimal form of breathing due to the fact that the air is not filtered and not prepared for absorption as it is in nasal breathing. Mouth breathing can also contribute to snoring and sleep issues, anxiety, emotional regulation problems, elevated blood pressure and heart rate, dental problems, and more.
