Mouth breathing, an often unconscious habit, involves breathing through the mouth instead of the nose. Chronic mouth breathing can lead to noticeable alterations in facial development, particularly in growing individuals. These changes can affect not only appearance but also overall health and airway function. Addressing this habit and its associated facial changes is a common concern, prompting questions about the effectiveness and duration of corrective measures.
Understanding Facial Changes from Mouth Breathing
When individuals consistently breathe through their mouth, especially during formative years, specific facial characteristics can emerge, often termed “mouth breathing face.” Common features include a long, narrow face, a receding chin, and a less defined jawline. The upper jaw may appear narrower, and the nostrils might seem pinched or elevated. Additionally, some individuals may develop a “gummy smile” or have lips that rest open.
These changes arise from altered muscle function and bone development. Proper nasal breathing encourages the tongue to rest against the roof of the mouth, providing natural outward pressure that supports the healthy development of the upper jaw and mid-face. When mouth breathing occurs, the tongue often drops to the floor of the mouth, removing this supportive pressure. This lack of pressure, combined with the continuous open-mouth posture and the inward pull of cheek muscles, can cause the upper jaw to grow downward rather than forward, leading to vertical facial growth and a narrower arch.
Methods for Correcting Mouth Breathing
Correcting mouth breathing and its facial effects often involves a multidisciplinary approach, addressing both the underlying cause of the mouth breathing and the resulting structural changes. Myofunctional therapy is a non-invasive treatment that retrains the muscles of the face, mouth, and throat to promote proper breathing, swallowing, and tongue posture. Through specific exercises, it aims to establish nasal breathing, a lip seal, and the correct resting position of the tongue against the palate.
Orthodontic treatments also play a significant role, especially when facial and dental structural changes have occurred. Palatal expanders, for instance, are devices used to gradually widen the upper jaw, creating more space for teeth and improving nasal airflow. Braces or clear aligners can then correct misaligned teeth and jaws, contributing to a more balanced facial structure and encouraging proper tongue posture.
Medical interventions by Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) specialists are frequently needed to address physical obstructions that necessitate mouth breathing. Procedures such as tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy remove enlarged tissues that block nasal passages, especially in children. Septoplasty, a surgical procedure, corrects a deviated septum to improve nasal airflow. Addressing these root causes is a foundational step in enabling consistent nasal breathing.
Factors Influencing Correction Duration
The timeline for correcting facial changes from mouth breathing is influenced by several factors. A primary consideration is the individual’s age; younger individuals, whose facial bones are still developing, often experience faster and more significant changes compared to adults. In children, the craniofacial structures are more malleable, allowing for more responsive remodeling with interventions.
The severity and duration of the mouth breathing habit also play a role. Long-standing and severe mouth breathing habits typically require more extensive and prolonged treatment to reverse the established facial patterns. Consistency and compliance with the recommended treatment plan, whether it involves daily exercises, wearing orthodontic appliances, or post-surgical care, significantly impact the speed and success of correction. Different intervention methods, such as myofunctional therapy, orthodontic appliances, or surgical procedures, each have their own typical timelines for achieving results. Finally, the presence of underlying anatomical obstructions or other medical conditions can affect the overall duration, as these issues must be resolved to facilitate proper nasal breathing.
Anticipated Timelines for Facial Improvement
Functional improvements, such as establishing consistent nasal breathing, can often begin within weeks to a few months of initiating treatment, especially with myofunctional therapy and the resolution of nasal obstructions. For instance, after surgical removal of enlarged tonsils or adenoids, children often show improved breathing patterns and some positive facial changes within months. Myofunctional therapy programs typically involve guided therapy sessions ranging from four to twelve weeks, with ongoing practice to solidify habits.
Significant skeletal or dental changes, however, usually require a longer commitment. Orthodontic treatments like palatal expansion can take 6 to 9 months for the active expansion phase, with a retention period following. Overall orthodontic treatment with braces or aligners can range from several months to a few years, depending on the complexity of the case and the extent of dental and jaw realignment needed. While children may see more dramatic skeletal changes, adults can still achieve improvements, though the process might be slower and may sometimes involve surgical assistance for skeletal modifications.
Sustaining Results and Preventing Reversion
Maintaining the corrected facial structure and breathing patterns requires ongoing vigilance and commitment. Continued practice of proper nasal breathing habits is essential, even after formal treatment concludes. Myofunctional therapy often includes exercises designed for long-term integration into daily routines to reinforce correct tongue posture and lip seal.
After orthodontic treatments, particularly those involving jaw expansion, the use of retainers is typically necessary to prevent the teeth and jaws from shifting back to their original positions. These retainers may be worn for an extended period, sometimes indefinitely, to ensure the stability of the achieved results. Regular follow-up appointments with healthcare professionals, such as orthodontists and myofunctional therapists, can help monitor progress and address any signs of relapse early on. If the underlying causes of mouth breathing are not consistently managed or if new obstructions arise, there is a possibility of facial changes reverting over time.