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Mouth Breathing and Dental Health in Kids: How It Affects Teeth and Jaw Growth

Mouth Breathing and Dental Health in Kids: How It Affects Teeth and Jaw Growth

Reviewed by: Dr. Paul Rubin, DDS

Mouth breathing can have serious effects on your child’s dental health and overall development. If left unchecked, it can impact how teeth and the jaw grow, leading to long-term dental issues.

In this blog, you will learn how mouth breathing affects the teeth and jaw of your child and how to prevent it from worsening.

Key Takeaway

Mouth breathing can affect dental development by causing a narrow jaw, crowded teeth, and facial changes, increasing the need for orthodontic care. Early intervention can prevent long-term issues.

What Is Mouth Breathing?

Mouth breathing happens when a child relies on their mouth for breathing instead of the nose.

While it is common during brief periods of nasal congestion, persistent mouth breathing can become habitual and lead to negative health consequences.

Signs of Mouth Breathing in Children

  • Breathing through the mouth during the day or night
  • Dry mouth or bad breath
  • Restless sleep or snoring
  • Chronic nasal congestion
  • Crowded teeth or misaligned jaw
  • Open bite or front teeth won’t come together or touch opposing teeth 

If you notice these signs, it is time for a pediatric dental exam. 

How Mouth Breathing Affects Teeth and Jaw Growth

Mouth breathing can impact dental development in several ways, especially when it occurs during important development stages.

Improper Jaw Growth

Mouth breathing can alter the natural resting position of the tongue, which plays a vital role in shaping the upper jaw. 

Without the tongue pressing against the roof of the mouth, the jaw can develop narrower than normal, leading to crowded teeth and misaligned bites.

Crooked Teeth and Crowding

When the jaw narrows, it may not have enough space for proper tooth alignment. This can lead to crooked teeth and increase the need for orthodontic treatments later in life.

Mouth Breather Face

Chronic mouth breathing can also affect facial development. 

Children who mouth breathe often develop a long, narrow face with a recessed chin, poor posture, and dental malocclusion due to the altered jaw position.

Risk of Tooth Decay and Gum Disease

Mouth breathing often leads to dry mouth, which reduces saliva production and increases plaque retention. 

Saliva helps protect the teeth from cavities and gum disease. Less saliva can mean a higher risk of tooth decay and other oral health complications.

To learn more about dry mouth in kids with diabetes, read How to Manage Dry Mouth in Children with Diabetes.

How to Stop Mouth Breathing

The key to stopping mouth breathing often involves identifying the cause and seeking appropriate treatment.

  1. Nasal breathing training: Encourage your child to practice nose breathing during the day.
  2. Clear nasal obstructions: Consult a healthcare provider if chronic nasal congestion, enlarged tonsils, or nasal polyps are present.
  3. Myofunctional therapy: Exercises that strengthen the tongue and facial muscles can help retrain breathing patterns.
  4. Address sleep disorders: Positive air pressure therapy or other treatments might be necessary if conditions like sleep apnea are present.

FAQs About Mouth Breathing

Does mouth breathing affect teeth?

Yes. Chronic mouth breathing can lead to crowded teeth, crooked teeth, and improper jaw growth. It also increases the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.

What causes mouth breathing in children?

Common causes include chronic nasal congestion, enlarged adenoids, swollen tonsils, allergies, and sleep disorders.

Can mouth breathing affect sleep quality?

Yes. Mouth breathing can lead to sleep disorders, restless sleep, and conditions like obstructive sleep apnea, affecting overall health.

Is mouth breathing harmful to facial development?

Yes. Chronic mouth breathing can alter facial growth, leading to a narrow face, recessed chin, and dental malocclusion.

Schedule a Comprehensive Pediatric Dental Exam in McKinney, TX

If your child is a mouth breather and they are showing signs of dental issue, early care can make all the difference. issues.

Schedule a comprehensive dental exam with our experienced kids dentists in McKinney, TX to ensure your child’s teeth and jaw develop properly.Call us at 214-436-5555 to book an appointment or us at 5323 W University Dr #100, McKinney, TX.

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