You know that you should be brushing twice and flossing at least once a day in order to maintain excellent oral health. You may even be watching your sugar intake in order to avoid cavities in your future. One thing you probably don’t think about is the way you breathe. You have the ability to breathe both through your mouth and nose, but did you know that mouth breathing can actually cause harm to your smile? Continue reading to learn about the consequences.
What Causes Mouth Breathing?
There are many reasons why you may find yourself breathing through your mouth more often than you should. Here are just a few of them:
- Allergies
- Asthma
- Common cold
- Enlarged tonsils
- Sinus polyps
- Deviated septum
- Sleep apnea
- Anxiety
Why Is Mouth Breathing an Issue?
Mouth breathing leads to a variety of issues. Here are some of the most common:
- Dry mouth: The most common issue that is caused by mouth breathing is dry mouth. Dry mouth increases your risk for a variety of oral health issues, including tooth decay, periodontal disease, and halitosis (bad breath).
- Low oxygen concentration in the blood: This is associated with both high blood pressure and even heart failure.
- Low energy: When you get less oxygen by breathing through the mouth, you could experience poor sleep quality and lower energy overall. This means that your work productivity during the day could be suffering. For children, this means that they may have trouble focusing in school.
- Sleep apnea: The risk for sleep apnea goes up with mouth breathing. This makes it more difficult to sleep well at night.
How Do You Know If You Breathe Through Your Mouth?
It isn’t always easy to tell if you breath though your mouth. Here are some of the signs that may give it away:
- Snoring
- Dry mouth
- Bad breath
- Hoarseness
- Tiredness and irritability
- Chronic fatigue
- Brain fog
- Dark circles beneath the eyes
What Can You Do About Mouth Breathing?
If you think that you may be mouth breathing more than you should, this is definitely something that you should bring up to your dentist during your next checkup. You could have an underlying issue that is causing you to do it. By getting to the bottom of it, you can come up with a plan to keep it from continuing.
Mouth breathing can be harmful, so it is important that you notice the signs so that you can work towards a solution. This way, you won’t be dealing with negative consequences. Talk to your dentist about any concerns. Your oral and overall health should be a priority!
About the Author
Dr. James K. Kramer is an experienced dentist who has been working in the field for over 30 years. He earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine from the Temple University School of Dentistry and has earned a Mastership in the Academy of General Dentistry. This is an honor that only 5% of the dentists in the United States have achieved. He is currently a member of numerous professional dental organizations, including the American Dental Association. If you are struggling with mouth breathing, he would be happy to help. For more information or to schedule an appointment at his office in Selbyville, visit his website or call (302) 436-5133.