The link between breathing and your teeth

We all know how it feels to have nasal congestion with a stuffy nose due to a bad cold or allergies. When you have a stuffed nose, you may feel like the only option is to breathe through your mouth. This can also sometimes be necessary after strenuous physical activity or sports, as it helps your body get extra oxygen for overworked muscles. What many people don't know is that breathing through the mouth can have negative effects on your oral health, especially if it becomes a habit, particularly during childhood. Here are some of the negative consequences of mouth-breathing and how they may affect your mouth and teeth at night:

• Dry Mouth and Lips: Mouth-breathing causes fluid loss from evaporation, leading to a dry mouth and lips which can decrease saliva's protective function and lead to uncomfortable sensations.
• Bad Breath/Halitosis: With less saliva in play, bacteria in the mouth can increase leading to unpleasant halitosis. Additionally, lack of saliva leads to an acidic environment which makes dental cavities more likely.
• Alteration in Facial Structure: Ongoing mouth breathing has been linked to facial changes such as drooping eyes, flat features, gummy smiles, small chins and poor posture caused by narrowed jaw structures. It can also reduce sleep quality leading to poor concentration and performance during the day.
• Need for Orthodontic Treatment: Open mouth breathing decreases room for natural development of permanent teeth resulting in overcrowding or malocclusion requiring extensive orthodontic treatment.
• Tooth Decay: A decrease in saliva means fewer protective elements helping harmful bacteria cause tooth decay often leading to tooth loss over time.
• Wear Down of Teeth: Without enough saliva lubricating between teeth and gums there is more wear during eating and grinding at night when moving jaw forward for easier breathing.

At Wing Dental our team is trained to look for signs of mouth breathing which can help us identify potential problems before they worsen over time so we recommend making routine visits with us part of your preventive dental care plan if you are concerned about this issue. Contact our office today if you need help addressing any potential problems related with habitual mouth-breathing.