Breathing Easy: The Surprising Dangers of Mouth Breathing and How Myof

Breathing Easy: The Surprising Dangers of Mouth Breathing and How Myofunctional Exercise Can Help

Have you ever thought about how you breathe? It's so natural that we usually don't give it a second thought. But did you know that the way you breathe, especially if you tend to breathe through your mouth, can significantly impact your health and well-being? In this article, we’re going to explore mouth breathing, its potential risks, and how myofunctional exercises can help you breathe better and improve your overall health. So, grab a comfy seat, take a deep breath, and let's dive in!

Section 1: The Science of Mouth Breathing

Mouth breathing is simply breathing through your mouth instead of your nose. It might not seem like a big deal, but chronic mouth breathing can lead to some serious health issues. Often, it starts with a stuffy nose from allergies or a cold. When your nasal passages are blocked, your body instinctively switches to mouth breathing to get the oxygen it needs. If this happens frequently, mouth breathing can become a habit. Other factors, like enlarged tonsils or chronic nasal congestion, can also lead to habitual mouth breathing.

The Risks of Mouth Breathing

Mouth breathing can cause a variety of health problems, including:

Sleep Disorders and Sleep Apnea: Mouth breathing during sleep can disrupt normal breathing patterns, leading to snoring and sleep apnea. A study in the Journal of the American Dental Association found a strong link between mouth breathing and sleep apnea, highlighting how it affects sleep quality and overall health.
Heart Disease: Chronic mouth breathing can strain your heart and cardiovascular system. Research from The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggests that improper breathing patterns, including mouth breathing, can negatively impact heart health.
Dental Issues: Constant dry mouth can cause tooth decay, bad breath, and increase the risk of gum disease. This connection is well-documented in dental studies, such as one published in the Journal of Dental Research.
Abnormal Facial Development: Mouth breathing results in muscle imbalance, which may lead to oral and craniofacial alterations. Breathing through your mouth can affect not just your sleep, but how you physically look. Mouth Breathing while your face is developing can lead to an elongated and narrow facial shape that does not have room for the teeth or tongue.
Behavioral Complications: A study in the International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology found a potential link between mouth breathing and ADHD in children. It suggests that poor oxygen flow due to mouth breathing might affect cognitive function and behavior, highlighting the importance of addressing this issue early on.

Section 2: The Role of Myofunctional Exercise

Myofunctional exercise might sound fancy, but it’s just a set of exercises that strengthen the muscles of your mouth, tongue, and throat. Regular practice can help correct breathing patterns and improve oral posture. But it’s not just about breathing; these exercises can also enhance your jawline and facial structure, leading to better teeth alignment and a more attractive appearance.

The Benefits of Myofunctional Exercise

Research shows that myofunctional therapy can significantly impact mouth breathing and related issues like sleep apnea:

A study in Sleep and Breathing found that myofunctional therapy reduced obstructive sleep apnea and snoring in children.
Another study in the Journal of Dental Sleep Medicine found that combining myofunctional therapy with CPAP therapy produced better results than using CPAP alone.

A systematic review and meta-analysis published in The National Library of Medicine, showed that myofunctional therapy (MT) reduces the apnea-hypopnea index by about 50% in adults and 62% in children. It also improves oxygen saturation, reduces snoring, and decreases sleepiness, making it a promising addition to other obstructive sleep apnea treatments.

In addition to better breathing, myofunctional therapy can improve facial aesthetics and dental health:

A study in the Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry found that myofunctional therapy improved upper lip muscle tone in children with mouth breathing habits, leading to better facial aesthetics.
Research in the European Journal of Orthodontics found that myofunctional therapy could improve the alignment of teeth and jaws in children.
Research published in The National Library of Medicine "The principal nongenetic determinant of maxillary growth is the route of breathing. Mouth breathing in infants results in a narrow maxilla, high-arched palate, and increased lower facial height. This craniofacial pattern has been termed the “long face syndrome” and is associated with OSA."

Encouraging the correct tongue posture (tongue up) and keeping lips closed (lip seal) are key aspects of myofunctional therapy. Proper tongue placement and a sealed lip posture help develop a healthy airway, prevent mouth breathing, and support proper facial growth.

Additional Tools and Devices

If you struggle with snoring and mouth breathing, several tools and devices can help improve your breathing patterns and overall health:

REMplenish™ Myo-Nozzle: The REMplenish Myo-Nozzle improves tongue posture promoting natural nasal breathing and strengthens mouth and throat muscles by providing targeted exercise and resistance while you drink.
Nasal Dilators: Nasal strips or internal nasal dilators keep nasal passages open, promoting nasal breathing and reducing nasal related snoring.
Mouth Tape: Specially designed mouth tape encourages nasal breathing by keeping the mouth closed during sleep.
Chin Straps: Chin straps help keep the mouth closed during sleep, promoting nasal breathing and reducing snoring.
Anti-Snoring Pillows: These pillows support proper head and neck alignment, encouraging nasal breathing and reducing snoring.
CPAP Machines: Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machines are often used to treat sleep apnea by keeping the airways open during sleep.

Section 3: Spotting the Signs of Mouth Breathing in Children

Mouth breathing in infants and young children can show up in various ways, impacting their development and behavior. It’s important to be aware of the signs of mouth breathing in young ones. Watch for droopy or open mouth posture during the day or while sleeping, snoring or noisy breathing during sleep, frequent colds or sinus infections, difficulty swallowing or chewing, frequent bed wetting, waking through the night, and behavioral issues like restlessness and difficulty concentrating.

Preventing Mouth Breathing in Children

Prevention is always better than needing treatment. For infants and young children, prevention can be as simple as establishing good breathing habits and encouraging nasal breathing:

Encourage your child to breathe through their nose by keeping their nasal passages clear with saline drops or a nasal aspirator.
Avoid pacifiers or thumb-sucking, as these habits can lead to altered oral posture and subsequent mouth breathing.
Address any underlying structural issues, such as enlarged tonsils or adenoids, that may contribute to mouth breathing habits.
Promote correct tongue posture and ensure your child maintains a proper lip seal during breathing and at rest.
Use the REMplenish Jr. Myo-nozzle to help prevent mouth breathing and encourage airway muscle strength.

Additional Resources for Parents

For parents of children who struggle with mouth breathing, here are some valuable resources for insights and practical advice:

Books:

"The Oxygen Advantage" by Patrick McKeown
"Breathe" by James Nestor
"Gasp: Airway Health - The Hidden Path To Wellness" by Dr. Michael Gelb and Dr. Howard Hindin
“The Very Stuffy Nose____by Kelle Richardson
“Breathe, Sleep, Thrive” - Sr Shereen Lim
“Sleep Wrecked Kids” - Sharon Moore
“Jaws - The Story of a HIdden Epidemic” - Dr Sandra kahn and Paul R. E

Online Communities and Support Groups:

Myofunctional Therapy Network
Facebook groups such as "Mouth Breathing Awareness" and "Parents of Children with Sleep-Disordered Breathing"

Professional Organizations:

These resources offer additional information and support for managing and preventing mouth breathing in children.

Section 4: Incorporating Myofunctional Exercise into Daily Life

Now, here’s the fun part: The REMplenish™ myo-nozzle and water bottles! Imagine improving your breathing just by drinking water. It sounds amazing, right? Made from safe, BPA-free materials, these specially designed nozzles encourage myofunctional exercise and proper tongue up placement simply by sipping water. They come in both adult and junior sizes, making it a family affair. The best part? It’s an easy, refreshing way to incorporate myofunctional exercise into your daily routine.

Other Myofunctional Exercises

In addition to using REMplenish myo-nozzles and water bottles, you can try these myofunctional exercises at home:

Tongue Posture: Place your tongue on the roof of your mouth, just behind your front teeth, with the tip lightly touching the back of your top teeth.
Lip Seal: Keep your lips lightly closed, with a slight amount of pressure, throughout the day, including during breathing.
Cheek Massage: Gently massage your cheeks to improve muscle tone.
Yawn-Sigh: Practice a slow, deep yawn-sigh, releasing tension in your tongue, jaw, and mouth muscles.

Conclusion: Breathe Right, Sleep Tight

Mouth breathing isn’t just a harmless quirk; it’s a habit that can have serious implications for your health and quality of life. By understanding the risks associated with mouth breathing and the benefits of myofunctional exercise, you can take charge of your breathing habits and overall well-being. From raising awareness about mouth breathing in children to introducing innovative solutions to make myofunctional exercise a part of your daily life, you can breathe easier and live healthier. So, take a sip, practice those exercises, and let’s work towards a world where every breath is a step towards a healthier, happier life.

For further reading and resources on oral airway health, including books and support for snorers, mouth breathers, and parents of children who struggle with mouth breathing, consider these recommendations:

"The Oxygen Advantage" by Patrick McKeown
"Breathe" by James Nestor
"Gasp: Airway Health - The Hidden Path To Wellness" by Dr. Michael Gelb and Dr. Howard Hindin
Online communities and forums such as the Myofunctional Therapy Network or support groups on social media platforms.

Breathing Easy: The Surprising Dangers of Mouth Breathing and How Myofunctional Exercise Can Make a Difference