Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHealth Effects of Chronic Mouth BreathingHow to StopTreating Underlying CausesHelping OthersSnoring
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Health Effects of Chronic Mouth Breathing
How to Stop
Treating Underlying Causes
Helping Others
Snoring
Mouth breathing can be categorized as either mouth breathing with the presence of nasal obstruction, or habitual mouth breathing (without nasal obstruction).Occasional mouth breathing, such as with a cold, is not a cause for concern, but chronic breathing through the mouth can cause several negative health effects.
Mouth breathing can often be treated or corrected. Treatment techniques depend on the cause. Healthcare providers such as an ear, nose, and throat specialist (otolaryngologist), a speech pathologist, or asomnologist(sleep specialist) can help look for abnormalities and recommend clinical treatment.
In some cases, mouth breathing can be corrected with exercises, changing habits, and other noninvasive techniques.
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Withnose breathing, the air is warmed, filtered, and humidified through the nose, but this does not occur with mouth breathing. Mouth breathing causes 42% more water to be lost with expired air than happens with nose breathing, which can lead to dryness of the mouth.
Mouth breathingcan lead todental problemssuch as increasedplaque(sticky coating on teeth that harbors bacteria) and gum (gingival) inflammation.
Daily mouth breathing can cause dental problems over time. This is especially problematic for children who are still growing and developing and are more prone to structural changes.
Mouth breathing during sleep can cause or worsen snoringand can makesleep apneatreatment less effective.
How to Stop Mouth Breathing in Public
You can also place visual reminders, such as sticky notes, in areas where you spend a lot of time, such as your workspace or your home. The more you practice nose breathing, the more automatic it becomes.
You may also want to speak to an expert on breathing exercises, called amyofunctionaltherapist, to learn proper breathing techniques to use throughout the day.Breathing exercises associated with yoga or meditation can help you practice breathing deeply through your nose.
Check yourposture, and avoid letting your head extend forward unnaturally, as this affects respiratory function.
Get moving. Exercise increases your need for deep breaths, which naturally encourages you to breathe through your nose.
Depending on the cause, your healthcare provider may refer you to a specialist such as anotolaryngologist.
Treatments that your healthcare provider may suggest for different causes of mouth breathing include:
Other strategies that may help correct mouth breathing include:
How to Manage Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS)
Myofunctional Therapy
Myofunctional therapy (may also be calledorofacialmyofunctional therapy,oropharyngealexercises, upper airway exercises, or mouth and throat exercises) is a group of exercises that help improve muscle strength in the face, mouth, and throat. It also encourages proper tongue posture and breathing.
Some healthcare professionals who may be able to help you with upper airway exercises include:
Examples of nasal breathing exercises include:
Nostril Breathing
Balloon Breathing
Helping Others to Stop Mouth Breathing
Mouth breathing is a common problem in children, often resulting from upper airway obstruction, such as from:
Uncorrected mouth breathing in children can cause problems such as:
As with adults, treatment of mouth breathing in children depends on the cause. For example, your child’s healthcare provider may recommend treatingallergic rhinitiswith intranasal steroids and nasal saline irrigation.
Mouth Breathing and SleepMouth breathing during sleep is linked to a greater incidence ofsnoringand sleep apnea (pauses in breathing during sleep).Mouth breathing in sleep causes the tongue to lie incorrectly on the lower palate, become floppy, and sometimes roll into the back of the mouth, blocking the airway. This interrupts healthy sleep and can lead to problems with memory and mood and with cardiovascular, neurological, and metabolic health.
Mouth Breathing and Sleep
Mouth breathing during sleep is linked to a greater incidence ofsnoringand sleep apnea (pauses in breathing during sleep).Mouth breathing in sleep causes the tongue to lie incorrectly on the lower palate, become floppy, and sometimes roll into the back of the mouth, blocking the airway. This interrupts healthy sleep and can lead to problems with memory and mood and with cardiovascular, neurological, and metabolic health.
Mouth breathing during sleep is linked to a greater incidence ofsnoringand sleep apnea (pauses in breathing during sleep).
Mouth breathing in sleep causes the tongue to lie incorrectly on the lower palate, become floppy, and sometimes roll into the back of the mouth, blocking the airway. This interrupts healthy sleep and can lead to problems with memory and mood and with cardiovascular, neurological, and metabolic health.
If You Are Mouth Breathing and Snoring
Mouth breathing and snoring during sleep warrant a visit to your healthcare provider to explore the possibility ofsleep disorderssuch as sleep apnea.
An estimated 10% to 30% of adults in the United States have obstructive sleep apnea. Children can also have sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea is commonly treated with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. CPAP therapy uses a machine with a hose and a mask that uses pressurized air to keep the airway open and encourage stable breathing.
Mouth breathing can makesymptoms of sleep apneaworse. It can also lower the effectiveness of the CPAP machine.
If you use aCPAP machineand have problems with mouth breathing during sleep, choosing a full-face mask (covers most of the face) or anoronasalmask (covers the nose and the mouth) may help.
Ways to help reduce mouth breathing during sleep, with or without a CPAP machine, include:
When to Consider a Sleep StudyAsleep studyis the best diagnostic tool for sleep apnea. During a sleep study, you are connected to equipment that monitors the following:Amount of air flowing through the nose and mouthBlood gasesBrain activityChest and abdominal wall movementHeart electrical activityMuscle activityIf you or your child snores, talk to your healthcare provider about being assessed for sleep apnea. Sleep apnea can cause several health problems if left untreated, and getting aproper diagnosisand treatment plan is important.A sleep study is essential if you have other sleep apnea symptoms, such as daytime sleepiness, frequent night wakening, morning headaches, or choking/gasping for air during sleep.
When to Consider a Sleep Study
Asleep studyis the best diagnostic tool for sleep apnea. During a sleep study, you are connected to equipment that monitors the following:Amount of air flowing through the nose and mouthBlood gasesBrain activityChest and abdominal wall movementHeart electrical activityMuscle activityIf you or your child snores, talk to your healthcare provider about being assessed for sleep apnea. Sleep apnea can cause several health problems if left untreated, and getting aproper diagnosisand treatment plan is important.A sleep study is essential if you have other sleep apnea symptoms, such as daytime sleepiness, frequent night wakening, morning headaches, or choking/gasping for air during sleep.
Asleep studyis the best diagnostic tool for sleep apnea. During a sleep study, you are connected to equipment that monitors the following:
If you or your child snores, talk to your healthcare provider about being assessed for sleep apnea. Sleep apnea can cause several health problems if left untreated, and getting aproper diagnosisand treatment plan is important.
A sleep study is essential if you have other sleep apnea symptoms, such as daytime sleepiness, frequent night wakening, morning headaches, or choking/gasping for air during sleep.
Summary
Mouth breathing can be habitual or a sign of an underlying problem. Chronic mouth breathing can cause negative effects, such as dental problems, an increased likelihood of getting sick with illnesses like colds, and sleep problems. It can also cause dental changes in children.
Treatment for mouth breathing first involves treating any potential underlying conditions. Measures such as setting reminders to breathe through your nose, breathing and muscle exercises, and keeping nasal passages clear can also help
Mouth breathing at night can negatively impact sleep apnea and cause snoring. Choosing a CPAP mask that covers the nose and mouth, sleeping on your side, using devices to keep your mouth closed, and other measures can help prevent mouth breathing while you sleep.
Talk to your healthcare provider if you or your child are experiencing chronic mouth breathing.
18 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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