W WELLBEING
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HAS YOUR DENTIST EVER ASKED
IF YOU ARE A MOUTH BREATHER?
BY JOEL JELEN, BREATHING EXPERT
It’s a great question in my opinion because mouth
breathing can have a lot of relevance for the state of
your oral health. and leading to periodontal disease and atypical myofascial
pain in adulthood. This can also lead to increased tooth
mobility and advancing periodontal disease.
Breathing, one of the most crucial functions of the human
body along with how we breathe can have a positive or
negative impact on our bodies. In addition to abnormal swallowing patterns and facial
characteristics, postural problems may also be present
in those who habitually breathe through their mouth.
Mouth breathers tend to assume a characteristic posture,
carrying their heads forward in order to compensate
for the restriction to their airways and make breathing
possible. This forward head posture often leads to
amongst other symptoms, neck pain, tension headaches
and dental occlusal problems.
Normal breathing is regarded as breathing through the
nose with the abdomen gently expanding and contracting
with each inhalation and exhalation. No effort is required
with breathing silent and consistent.
Abnormal breathing i.e. mouth breathing is often quicker
than normal, audible, with sighing and visible movements
of the upper chest in evidence.
You might associate this with stress but habitual bad
breathers (mouth breathers) do this all the time regardless.
In children, the harmful effects of mouth breathing are
far greater, since it is during these formative years that
breathing mode helps to shape the orofacial structures
and airways. A mouth breather carries the tongue in a low
downward position, creating an airspace which allows the
person to breathe more freely; and as a result it can lead to
abnormal tongue activity. This abnormal tongue activity
can exert an excessive force upon the dentition during
swallowing, contributing to malocclusions in children
68 wirrallife.com
In my opinion and, as the research suggests it is essential
for medical and dental professionals to assess mouth
breathing in children and adult patients. When treated
early, its negative effects on facial and dental development,
along with the associated medical and social problems
can be reduced or averted.
And if you don’t mouth breathe, you can only increase
your chances of enjoying better oral health, less nerves at
the dentist and a smaller bill at the end of it!
Joel Jelen is founder of Reset Breathing. More details can be
found at www.resetbreathing.com.