Mouth breathing or open mouth posture

Humans are naturally designed to breathe through their nose while keeping their lips closed together. This allows the nasal passages to filter, warm, and moisten the air. Occasional mouth breathing, such as during a cold or strenuous exercise, is generally not a cause for worry. However, there are some people breathe primarily through their mouth (chronic mouth breathing), which may indicate the necessity for some form of intervention or re-training to encourage nasal breathing.

 

Why is mouth breathing a problem?

Chronic mouth breathing is associated with several health complications including:

• Increased risk of tooth decay and gum disease

• Increased risk of poor sleep, snoring and sleep apnoea

• Pain in the jaw joint (TMD)

• Bad breath

• Cardiovascular disease

• Metabolic disease

• Anxiety and depression

 

In children mouth breathing is linked with:​

• Poor sleep

• Poor growth - related to reduced growth hormone which is secreted in deep sleep

• Abnormal growth of the face and palate

• Crooked teeth and crowded mouths

• Tooth decay

• Behavioural and learning difficulties

• Poor concentration

• Hyperactivity

• ADHD-type behaviour

• Recurrent tonsilitis

• Chronic ear infections

 

How do you know if you or someone else is a mouth breather?

People who predominately breathe through their mouths typically display the following signs:

• Slightly open mouth and their lips parted

• Noisy or audible breathing when awake or asleep (breathing should be very quiet)

• Chronic bad breath

• Dry mouth

• Very dry lips

 

Mouth breathing can be effectively treated, and early detection and intervention can help minimise the likelihood of negative, long-term complications. To treat mouth breathing effectively it is important to understand why an individual is mouth breathing. At Airway focused, we conduct a comprehensive assessment to identify the underlying causes of mouth breathing, enabling us to design a successful treatment plan. In some cases, collaboration with other healthcare practitioners may be necessary to achieve the best possible results. 

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