Is Your Child A Mouth Breather? Why You Should Stop The Habit Now!

Parents are usually unaware of their child breathing from their mouths on a day-to-day basis. Though, its common for everyone to breath from the mouth while down with a cold, chronic mouth breathing is detrimental to your childs health and even academic performance. This unknowingly leads to your child breathing from the mouth while she/he is distracted by TV or asleep. Due to having a gap between upper and lower teeth children also develop speech issues, especially with saying s. Ever wondered why your child has bad breath even though he brushes?
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Parents are usually unaware of their child breathing from their mouths on a day-to-day basis. Though, it’s common for everyone to breath from the mouth while down with a cold, chronic mouth breathing is detrimental to your child’s health and even academic performance.

Unknown to many, the concept of normal nasal breathing is paramount for the development of the face and jaws. Mouth breathing restricts the proper development of the jaw. This leads to improper occlusion leading to crooked teeth. Children also develop longer faces.

How could this develop?

Mouth breathing occurs when there is an increase in the resistance to the flow of air through the nose. This could be due to nasal blockages or it could be a habit (e.g. thumb sucking) induced. Due to restricted growth of the upper lip, mouth closure is difficult. This unknowingly leads to your child breathing from the mouth while she/he is distracted by TV or asleep.

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What is the big deal?

Breathing from the mouth results in reduced oxygen intake vis-a-vis while breathing from the nose. To accommodate this breathing pattern your child develops a habit of placing their neck forward. This leads to postural defects in the neck and back region. Apart from the dental effects, medical problems can also be linked to mouth breathing.

Inflammation of tonsils is common in children with this habit. Studies have stated mouth breathing to cause sleep disorders and sleep apnea. It has also been shown that children with sleep disorders have trouble paying attention in school, are irritable and are misdiagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Children are usually tired and find it difficult to eat well too. Due to having a gap between upper and lower teeth children also develop speech issues, especially with saying “s”.

Ever wondered why your child has bad breath even though he brushes? Oral hygiene becomes difficult in mouth breathers. There is an increase in plaque/ tartar accumulation on the teeth, even though the child brushes. This accumulation leads to bad breath/halitosis. Lips are consistently dry and the upper front teeth appear to flare up gradually.

Mother can check their child whether :

  • The lips of your child stays open when they are distracted with any activity?
  • The upper lip is shorter than lower?
  • The child sleeps with the mouth open? Snores? Is there drooling on the pillow?
  • Excessive tartar even after brushing?

If even one of the above is present your child could be a mouth breather.

How does one treat this?

With a few x-rays and in consent with an ENT this habit can be overcome. Muscle training (myofunctional therapy) can help your child overcome this habit naturally. Not only will this habit go away, but also their crooked teeth will align without the need of braces.

A pediatric dentist is equipped to correct these habits early in your child’s life ensuring them to smile better and live healthier.

Image source: elitesmileschastain.com

 

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