Noses were made for breathing–mouths for talking, eating and drinking!
Breathing patterns are something that should be discussed at dental and/or medical visits. If treated early in life, more ideal facial growth and development can be promoted, along with improved overall health. As an adult, the growth and development has already happened but it’s not too late–there are MANY health benefits to breathing through your nose instead of your mouth at any age! Nasal breathing with a proper lip seal are two of the goals of myofunctional therapy.
Nasal Breathing
- calm and relaxed state
- allows for correct tongue rest posture (naturally or through retraining with myofunctional therapy)
- promotes growth of larger jaws and airway
- promotes growth of wide/broad palate
- less risk of crowded teeth
- clearer nasal/sinus areas
- increases nitric oxide–an amazing gas that helps with many body functions
- improves oxygen use throughout the body
- improves sleep quality
- warms and filters the air
- less severe allergies
Mouth Breathing
- fight or flight mode (increased stress/anxiety)
- tongue rests low
- jaw and airway likely develop smaller
- palate may develop high and narrow
- crowded teeth
- increased congestion and sinus issues
- increased risk of dry mouth and bad breath
- increased risk of cavities and periodontal disease
- increased amount of plaque and tarter build up
- poor sleep quality
- dysfunctional swallow
- risk of orthodontic relapse
- worsened allergies
Both kids and adults can relearn to breathe through their nose with the help of myofunctional therapy. (We did! Read about Hannah’s experience.)
If you can close your mouth and breathe only through your nose for 2-3 minutes you have the ability to exclusively nasal breathe. (Try it right now!) Breathing through your nose can actually reduce inflammation in the airway–meaning if you make yourself breathe through your nose it will actually become easier the more/longer you do it!
One of our past instructors always said,
“You need to learn to breathe through your nose when it is difficult to breathe through your nose.”
While mouth breathing is common, it is not normal! Yes, of course we have to sometimes breathe through our mouths. Mouth breathing is meant to keep us alive when nasal breathing is temporarily blocked or when we need to “fight or flight.” It is not meant to be a longterm, chronic way of breathing. Occasionally we need help from various specialists to allow for adequate nasal breathing. When we see clients for myofunctional therapy we help connect them with the specialists necessary for their situation.
We also give guidance to our clients to become more aware of their breathing, walk them through breathing exercises, and even guide them through the proper way to begin mouth taping. Many of our clients have found mouth taping to be life changing!
When it comes to children, it is scary to think that mouth breathing kids become adults with sleep apnea. If mouth breathing is noticed in kids it is important to see the necessary specialists early on! Kids and Early Referrals to Specialists
Contact us if you have questions or want to discuss how myofunctional therapy could benefit you or someone you know.