It is no secret that breathing is one of the most vital processes of our body. We all know that our breathing system supplies oxygen to our organs. Through breathing, we get rid of waste products and toxins from the body.  We are naturally designed to breathe through our nose from birth, which offers great benefits to our health. Mouth breathing on the other hand can lead to potentially serious health consequences.

Mouth breathing occurs when we inhale and exhale through our mouth instead of our nose. Therefore, a very common effect of mouth breathing is a dry mouth, which affects about 10% of all people. A dry mouth condition, also called xerostomia, results from reduced or absent saliva flow. This condition makes it more difficult to eat and digest food, and it unbalances the oral bacteria which can result in bad breath, gum disease and tooth decay. Through mouth breathing, we get 20% less oxygen to the cells of the body, which causes lower energy levels and fatigue.

Long term effects of mouth breathing can cause problems from childhood into and through the adult years. Some of them are sleep apnea, a change in facial structure, or a narrowed dental arch.

Are you or another family member a mouth breather? Whilst there is no single test for mouth breathing, you may get some first ideas from this article. As a parent, you may check if your child is breathing with their mouth open and snore at night. In the end, an assessment from an ENT (Ear, Nose, Throat) specialist at any age is important to find out what is obstructing your nasal airway and address it seriously. 

With a simple “pencil test” you can find out how changing your bite or wearing an appropriate night mouth guard can improve your ability to breathe through your nose. Click HERE to find out how to perform a simple “pencil test”. 

With the fast pace of life today, most people don’t breathe properly anymore. When you find you are stressed, I suggest you try this simple breathing exercise, to calm your nervous system and help you cope with your daily tasks. Click HERE to watch “Calm Your Body With Breathing”. 

Here are some basic tips to improve your breathing:
– Get regular aerobic exercises to improve your lung capacity
– Avoid large meals, as a bloated abdomen can press against the diaphragm, which can lead to shortness of breath
– Maintain a healthy weight to reduce your risk of experiencing breathing difficulties
– Sleep with your head elevated, which helps to open your airways and promote nasal breathing
– Keep your house clean and free of allergens
– Try to practice in and out through your nose

The good news is, mouth breathing is a treatable condition. The sooner you seek treatment, the greater your chance of recovery. 

Keep Smiling,
It’s good for You!

Dr David Cowhig, the founder of the Dental Wellness clinics, is a pioneer in holistic metal free dentistry & aesthetics, providing scientific-based biological dentistry. We support you as an individual and take into account the variety of factors that can lead to dental and oral health problems. We believe passionately that creating health and beauty around us is an integral part of life and you will feel these qualities in our dental care. You can find us at The Gap in Brisbane, focussing on holistic aesthetic total metal-free dentistry.

Contact Dental Wellness on 07 3511 1399 or email [email protected].

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