Chronic mouth breathing can influence facial structure, particularly during developmental years, leading to alterations in appearance. This article explores the relationship between breathing patterns and facial development, providing insight into potential changes that may occur over time.
How Breathing Impacts Facial Growth
Proper nasal breathing guides facial development. It filters, warms, and humidifies inhaled air, and helps produce nitric oxide for improved oxygen absorption. This process encourages the tongue to rest against the roof of the mouth, or palate.
The constant, gentle pressure from the tongue on the palate is important for the growth of the maxilla (upper jaw) and mandible (lower jaw). This internal support helps guide the jaws to grow forward and outward, contributing to a balanced facial structure. The muscle balance created by correct tongue posture and nasal breathing helps ensure harmonious facial development.
When an individual breathes through their mouth, the tongue often drops from the palate to the floor of the mouth to facilitate airflow. This removes the natural upward and outward pressure the tongue provides to the upper jaw. Over time, this can lead to a narrower palate and alter the growth direction of the jawbones.
Identifying Mouth Breathing
Recognizing mouth breathing often begins with observing a person’s posture, especially when they are at rest or asleep. A consistently open mouth posture is a common sign of habitual mouth breathing. Physical indicators may include dry lips, a dry mouth, or bad breath upon waking. Drooling on a pillow during sleep can also suggest mouth breathing throughout the night.
Beyond these visible signs, individuals who mouth breathe might experience snoring or noisy breathing during sleep. They may also feel tired during the day despite adequate sleep, or exhibit hoarseness. Dark circles under the eyes are another potential indicator. In children, mouth breathing can manifest as problems with concentration, irritability, or restlessness.
Characteristic Facial Changes
Chronic mouth breathing, especially during formative years, can alter facial features, sometimes called “mouth breathing face” or “adenoid face.” One common characteristic is a longer, narrower facial structure, which results from vertical facial development, making the face appear disproportionately long.
The jaws and chin may also show distinct changes, such as a recessed or underdeveloped chin and jawline. The lower jaw might be positioned backward and downward, impacting the overall profile. The nose and nostrils can appear narrower, flatter, or pinched.
Changes extend to the mouth area, with individuals often developing a thin upper lip or prominent upper front teeth. A “gummy smile” (where a significant portion of the gums is visible when smiling) is another observation. The lips may also struggle to close completely, a condition known as lip incompetence. Inside the mouth, a high and narrow palate can develop, often leading to crowded or crooked teeth and a misaligned bite.
Addressing Mouth Breathing
Addressing mouth breathing begins with identifying and treating the underlying causes that obstruct nasal airflow. Common reasons for nasal blockage include allergies, chronic nasal congestion, enlarged adenoids or tonsils, a deviated septum, or nasal polyps. Medical interventions might involve using antihistamines, decongestants, or steroid nasal sprays to alleviate congestion and inflammation.
For structural issues that impede nasal breathing, surgical procedures may be recommended. These can include adenoidectomy or tonsillectomy to remove enlarged tissues, or septoplasty and turbinate reduction to improve nasal passageway size.
Myofunctional therapy is an approach focused on retraining the oral and facial muscles. This therapy involves exercises designed to establish proper tongue posture, promote lip closure, and encourage consistent nasal breathing patterns. It works to improve the strength and coordination of these muscles. Orthodontic interventions, such as palatal expanders, may also be used, particularly in growing children, to widen the upper jaw and create more space for nasal airflow. Consulting healthcare professionals, including Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) specialists, orthodontists, or myofunctional therapists, can provide a diagnosis and a tailored treatment plan.