
Allergies are not simply an annoyance, they can wreak havoc on your overall health.
Unobstructed nasal breathing is the number-one key to a person’ s quality of life. Why is that?
When a person can not breathe through their nose, especially when sleeping, they are not getting sufficient oxygen into their blood. This outcome can affect development of the body and sleep quality. Poor sleep quality can reduce overall attention and focus in life, school or the workforce.
Do you or your child suffer from seasonal or environment allergies or simply have chronic nasal congestion? It’s quite possible you are a chronic mouth breather.
Nine Common Signs of a Mouth Breather:
- Snoring
- Sleep apnea
- Lack of concentration
- Allergies
- Sinus problems
- Chronic sickness
- Swollen tonsils and adenoids
- “Allergic Shiners”- dark circles under the eyes
- Long face
In the case of mouth breathing, low tongue posture leads to a narrow palate as the tongue is not there to counteract the inward pressure of the cheek muscles. If the tongue rests on top of the bottom teeth, teeth may not grow as tall as they should or even tip inward. Tipped-in lower teeth that don’t grow tall enough because of a maladaptive tongue position can lead to a recessed jaw and possible TMJ trouble. When the tongue is kept low in the mouth within the bottom teeth, the bottom jaw usually develops ok, but the narrow upper jaw can lead to a malocclusion called an underbite.
More concerning are the broader issues associated with mouth breathing. They include signs and symptoms such as dental malocclusions (crooked teeth and misaligned bite), bruxism (teeth grinding), attention deficit, poor sleep patterns, sleep apnea, daytime fatigue, TMJ pain, as well as headaches.
If you have concerns that you or your child may be mouth breathing. We can help and work in collaboration with other providers that may be needed to ensure optimal wellness. Schedule an orofacial myofunctional evaluation with one of our certified orofacial myologists.
