Mouth Breathing
We are born obligate nasal breathers!
Our bodies are designed to use the nose as a filtering system for the air we breathe. When we bypass the nose, we lose all those benefits and our health can be compromised as a result. The nose also warms and humidifies the air for absorption into the body. Our nostrils regulate the amount of air we need and this has significant impacts on chemical balances in our blood.
Breathing through the mouth is not ok and should be explored further. Research is now linking early age mouth breathing with sleep apnoea later in life. Sleep breathing disorders have been linked to many chronic illnesses such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes.
Early intervention is always best!
For a growing child, mouth breathing changes the forces on the developing jaws and teeth and can change the direction of growth of the face. This is widely reported in orthodontic literature. The earlier this is corrected, the better the outcome. If their are structural issues like a high narrow palate, we will often work with an orthodontist who can aid in restoring correct structure to help achieve optimal function. Remember, the roof of the mouth is also the floor of the nose and we want this to develop well
How to catch a mouth breather
One of the easiest ways to assess is to observe daily activities like watching TV, in the car, casually walking or while asleep. Is their mouth open or closed? Can they sit comfortably with their lips closed for one minute? If they simply cannot do this, or if they find it really difficult please speak to your GP and consider getting a referral to an Ear, Nose and Throat specialist (ENT) as a primary measure. Some additional symptoms to discuss with your GP are; snoring, pauses in breathing, difficulty swallowing, bed wetting, persistent drooling, tooth grinding, difficulty concentrating or sitting still or waking with asthma symptoms in the night. An ENT will decide if they have a physical blockage such as enlarged tonsils and adenoids. In some cases surgical intervention is warranted.
Have a look at your child's face. Do they look tired? Do they consistently have dark circles under their eyes? This can be a sign of poor breathing during sleep. Remember, snoring is not normal and not ok!
Our bodies are designed to use the nose as a filtering system for the air we breathe. When we bypass the nose, we lose all those benefits and our health can be compromised as a result. The nose also warms and humidifies the air for absorption into the body. Our nostrils regulate the amount of air we need and this has significant impacts on chemical balances in our blood.
Breathing through the mouth is not ok and should be explored further. Research is now linking early age mouth breathing with sleep apnoea later in life. Sleep breathing disorders have been linked to many chronic illnesses such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes.
Early intervention is always best!
For a growing child, mouth breathing changes the forces on the developing jaws and teeth and can change the direction of growth of the face. This is widely reported in orthodontic literature. The earlier this is corrected, the better the outcome. If their are structural issues like a high narrow palate, we will often work with an orthodontist who can aid in restoring correct structure to help achieve optimal function. Remember, the roof of the mouth is also the floor of the nose and we want this to develop well
How to catch a mouth breather
One of the easiest ways to assess is to observe daily activities like watching TV, in the car, casually walking or while asleep. Is their mouth open or closed? Can they sit comfortably with their lips closed for one minute? If they simply cannot do this, or if they find it really difficult please speak to your GP and consider getting a referral to an Ear, Nose and Throat specialist (ENT) as a primary measure. Some additional symptoms to discuss with your GP are; snoring, pauses in breathing, difficulty swallowing, bed wetting, persistent drooling, tooth grinding, difficulty concentrating or sitting still or waking with asthma symptoms in the night. An ENT will decide if they have a physical blockage such as enlarged tonsils and adenoids. In some cases surgical intervention is warranted.
Have a look at your child's face. Do they look tired? Do they consistently have dark circles under their eyes? This can be a sign of poor breathing during sleep. Remember, snoring is not normal and not ok!
Breathing therapy at Orofacial Myology Adelaide works on restoring normal and optimal function. Good breathing helps to regulate the nervous system, manage stress and anxiety, boost immunity as well as improving sleep quality for energy throughout the day. We use a dynamic approach to help children and adults restore the ability to self regulate their breathing both day and night.
We work with people before and after Ear Nose and Throat Surgery, orthodontics or tongue tie release
Check out our interview with Dr Rosalba Courtney (PhD in breathing) on our facebook page about strategies to support good breathing in children. This is especially helpful for those kiddos who are currently on ENT waiting lists.
We work with people before and after Ear Nose and Throat Surgery, orthodontics or tongue tie release
Check out our interview with Dr Rosalba Courtney (PhD in breathing) on our facebook page about strategies to support good breathing in children. This is especially helpful for those kiddos who are currently on ENT waiting lists.