Here at KIDS, we all know what it’s like to have a cold, with a nose so stuffy that you can’t breathe through it. At times like that, we breathe through our mouths instead, and that’s pretty much how it should work. Mouth-breathing is an emergency backup, not the default. There are many negative effects of mouth-breathing full-time, particularly if the habit begins in childhood.
Many things can lead to a mouth-breathing habit. A small child might get a cold and then simply continue breathing through his mouth when his nose clears. A problem with bite alignment can make it difficult to keep the mouth closed. Persistent allergies, overly large tonsils, or a deviated septum could make nose-breathing difficult or impossible most of the time. Fortunately, these problems can often be solved by orthodontic treatment or surgery.
In the short term, mouth-breathing leads to a variety of issues, including:
The negative effects of mouth-breathing don’t stop in the short-term. They can actually be life-altering, particularly when the habit begins in childhood and goes unchecked.
Breathing through the nose doesn’t just help you avoid the effects of mouth-breathing; it comes with additional benefits too! Here are just a few of them:
If you or your child has a mouth-breathing habit, it can be tricky to break, especially if the cause is a physical obstruction that requires treatment. Schedule a dental exam right away here at KIDS so the cause can be detected and you can get on the road to healthier breathing and all the benefits that come with it!
KIDS – Healthy Kids Nurtured by Nature
p:(07) 4942 5111
e: mackay@healthykidsqld.com.au
a: 6 Discovery Lane, Mackay QLD 4740
Monday 9:00am to 5:00pm
Tuesday 9:00am to 5:00pm
Wednesday 9:00am to 5:00pm
Thursday 9:00am to 5:00pm
Friday 9:00am to 3:00pm
Saturday – CLOSED
Sunday – CLOSED
Lip and Tongue Tie Forms:
- Child New Patient Form
- Expectations Lip and Tongue Tie
- Stretching Video
- Health Professional Comms Form