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Restoring Function One Breath At A Time

Nasal Breathing

Breathing through the mouth as the primary source of breathing can cause health problems. These problems can be especially severe in children because they affect the face's long-term development and hinder proper airway function.

Most of us bring air into our bodies through our noses.  The nose is designed to act as a natural filter, regulator and humidifier for the air we breathe. However, when we can't get enough air through our nose, the mouth takes over. Breathing through the mouth most of the time was not nature's intent. When this happens, problems can occur, such as:

  • Small lower jaw or underbite

  • Narrow face pattern, which can appear as a long face in structure

  • Snoring and other sleep-disordered breathing issues

  • Hyperactivity and trouble focusing in children

  • Longer time in ortho or orthodontic relapse

  • Fatigue and daytime sleepiness

  • Droopy eyes and mouth

  • Dental decay and inflammation in the mouth

  • Improper blood oxygenation in the body

effects of incorrect nasal breathing
If our bodies don't absorb the oxygen it requires from breathing, we do not get what we need to function correctly.

The average resting breathing rate is about 10-12 breaths per minute. When we mouth breathe, that rate increases and oxygen isn't absorbed correctly, which sends our body chemistry into "fight or flight" mode when breathing, not "rest and digest." When we increase mouth breathing, we increase carbon dioxide, which doesn't allow oxygen to be adequately absorbed in our blood.

We also don't absorb nitric oxide in our blood when mouth breathing. Nitric Oxide helps regulate our cardiovascular system. When we have low nitric oxide levels, it can lead to issues such as heart disease, gastrointestinal issues, Alzheimer's, dementia, and problems with the bladder. 

Mouth breathing is a postural habit that can develop for numerous reasons.
Below are the most common:

  • Allergies

  • Thumb or finger sucking habit

  • Enlarged tonsils or adenoids

  • Chronic nasal congestion

  • Respiratory infection

These five factors make it physically difficult for a person to nasal breathe. If nasal breathing is not possible, the body's only choice is to mouth breathe. 

Mouth breathing changes the way the tongue works; it can develop into low tongue posture or an abnormal swallowing pattern commonly known as a tongue thrust. A tongue thrust affects speech, swallowing, breathing, and chewing in problematic ways.

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