Mouth breathing, which is breathing through the mouth rather than through the nose, can have consequences for the development of children's teeth and jaws. Unfortunately, these consequences are little known and unsuspected by most parents. Therefore, the Dents Mon Quartier team discusses mouth breathing and the consequences associated with it.
Mouth breathing: the facts
When we breathe through the mouth, our tongue leans against the floor of the mouth, contrary to nasal breathing in which the tongue remains in a "resting" position. It is important to know that the tongue is one of the most powerful muscles of our body. Thus, its impact on the development of the mouth is considerable.
When the posture of the tongue is not adequate, because of mouth breathing, it leads to a bad development of the palate and maxilla (upper jaw). Indeed, this can cause an under development of the palate, which can cause a lack of space on the upper jaw for all teeth to develop normally.
In some cases, mouth breathing may cause malocclusion, an unbalanced relationship between the two jaws. For example, one may notice a gap, which means that the upper teeth do not meet the lower teeth when the mouth is closed. In addition, uneven pressure from the tongue can lead to asymmetry of the face, including a deviation of the chin. When the problem is not taken care of with orthodontics from childhood, its consequences can be harder to reverse.
Signs associated with mouth breathing
It is important for parents of young children to recognize the signs of mouth breathing. This should encourage them to consult a qualified dentist in pediatric dentistry and possibly a qualified orthodontic professional.
- Open mouth: Be sure to check how your child breathes. Mouth breathing causes a child to breathe with an open mouth. Also, it is important to check their breathing during the night.
- Fatigue: Mouth breathing, when it occurs during the night, can greatly affect the quality of sleep, as it prevents the child from falling into a deep sleep.
- Bluish rings: this is caused by less oxygenation in the nose area, resulting in a bluish coloration near the sinuses, under the eyes.
- Accumulation of drool on the pillow: when you sleep while breathing through your mouth, it stays open and you may drool. For example, a build-up of drool on the ear upon awakening can mean nocturnal mouth breathing.
- Dehydration at night and when you wake up: if a child often wakes up thirsty, it can be a sign that he or she is breathing mouth.
- Nasal congestion: Oral breathing inevitably results in less air passage through the sinuses. Over time, this can help make nasal passages narrower, more sensitive, and more at risk of nasal congestion.
- Chin deviation: Oral breathing can lead to poor jaw development and aesthetic consequences in the lower face.
It should be noted that because of all these consequences, oral breathing can also be associated with poor swallowing, disorders of the jaw and neck joints, and postural problems.
Mouth breathing: the importance of early childhood care
As mentioned, mouth breathing generally has a direct impact on the development of a child's jaws and teeth. For this reason, it is best to consult as quickly as possible if you believe that your child is regularly breathing through the mouth. An interceptive orthodontics treatment can effectively correct this habit and prevent or lessen the mispositioning of teeth and jaws. It should also be noted that consultation with other health care professionals may be relevant in cases of mouth breathing in a child, such as an ENT doctor or an allergist. This can help to better clarify the causes of the problem
At Dents Mon Quartier, we rely on the qualifications of Dr. Eric Chang, who is responsible for our pediatric dentistry department. Thanks to his experience with younger patients, he knows how to detect bad oral habits, such as mouth breathing. He will therefore be able to direct you the appropriate professional to take charge of mouth breathing in a child to prevent the consequences!
Approved by Dre Charouk
Dr. Joumana Charouk, D.M.D, is proud to offer her patients exceptional care that combines experience, efficiency and good humor.
Dre Joumana Charouk, D.M.D