Mouth Breathing

Introduction

Humans usually breathe through nose which is also known as “nasal breathing.” However through the consequences of persistent allergies, nasal blockages/obstructions, or enlarged nostrils it has created. A shift to chronic mouth breathing and has acted as a hidden disruptor of long-term dental development. Contrasting to occasional mouth breathing. That changes the occasional mouth breathing. During exercise or illness, chronic oral respiration that fundamentally changes the balance or equilibrium of muscles, saliva, and pressure within the mouth, leading to a series of changes, structurally and pathologically, within mouth.

The Oral anatomy of a Mouth Breather!

The most targeted aspect of mouth breathing is jaw alignment and facial architecture. During nasal breathing the position of the tongue is against. The palate which is providing gentle and constant outward pressure that helps. The appropriate growth of the upper jaw “MAXILLA” however in chronic mouth breathing. The tongue drops to the floor of the mouth to open airway which removes the palatal pressure while the mouth cheeks compress inward. Through the years, this imbalance creates in a narrow. V-SHAPED maxilla, a high-arched palate, and dental crowding. The lower jaw which is known as “mandible” often rotates backward to maintain an open airway. Leading to a Shrinking chin, enlarge facial height that is also known as (long face syndrome) , and steep jaw angle. This all results into malocclusions like crossbites and overbites.

Gum Disease and Mouth Breathing!

As for relating to the gum disease, the habitual breathing. Through the mouth leads to the development of xerostomia, which means dry mouth. This is because saliva is the first natural barrier or barricade of the mouth and is rich in antimicrobial enzymes, immunoglobulins, and buffers. The constant stream of air dries the gingiva and reduces saliva production. As a result, the gums become red, swollen, and fragile this is usually mistake for a case of gingivitis cause by dental plaque. But this type of gingivitis is know as “mouth breathing gingivitis. It mostly affects the upper front teeth due to the air pressure they endure.

Enamel erosion! Really!?

There is also enamel erosion, which is a subtle yet important problem. People who breathe through their mouths. All the time tend to adopt a forward neck posture along with an anterior tongue position to keep the respiratory tract open. This can cause gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD) or cause the patient to regurgitate stomach acid into the mouth when sleeping. At the same time, constant mouth breathing means that there is no saliva to act as a buffer or form a protective film on the teeth. This causes chemo mechanical erosion—the acid erodes the palate of the upper teeth, and the absence of saliva speeds up abrasion.

Conclusion of mouth breathing

So, in the end these changes create a self-prolonging cycle that includes a poor jaw development narrows the nasal passage further that worsens the mouth breathing and promotes dental disease. As the wise doctor once said Precaution is better than cure treating underlying allergies, myofunctional therapy also helps in tongue posture, and interceptive orthopedics-is critical to prevent irreversible dental and skeletal consequences.