Chronic mouth breathing is a condition where a person habitually breathes through their mouth instead of their nose, particularly during rest or sleep. This habit contributes to aesthetic concerns often described as “mouth breathing face” or “adenoid face.” These changes, which may include a long face, recessed chin, and narrow dental arches, are physical manifestations of altered muscle function and skeletal development. The underlying causes of chronic mouth breathing can often be identified and addressed. By understanding the connection between breathing patterns and facial structure, individuals can pursue effective strategies to restore nasal breathing and improve both health and appearance.
Understanding the Impact of Oral Posture
The human body is designed for nasal breathing, and the tongue’s resting position is crucial for proper facial development. When breathing through the nose, the tongue naturally rests against the roof of the mouth, providing upward and outward pressure. This pressure acts as an internal scaffold that encourages the upper jaw and dental arch to widen and grow forward, particularly during childhood.
When chronic mouth breathing occurs, the tongue drops to the floor of the mouth to create an oral airway. This lowered posture removes the necessary growth stimulus from the palate. Without the tongue’s outward pressure, the cheek muscles exert an unopposed inward force, leading to a narrow upper jaw and a high-arched palate.
This altered muscle dynamic forces the jaw to rotate downward and backward to maintain an open airway, resulting in a longer facial appearance and a recessed chin profile. In adults, while major skeletal changes are less likely, chronic mouth breathing contributes to poor sleep quality, dry mouth, and an increased risk of obstructive sleep apnea. The lack of proper lip seal reinforces the cycle of incorrect oral muscle function.
Identifying the Root Causes of Mouth Breathing
Correcting mouth breathing requires addressing underlying factors that make nasal breathing difficult. A common cause is physical obstruction in the nasal passages or throat. Enlarged adenoids or tonsils, particularly in children, can physically block the posterior nasal airway, forcing oral breathing.
Structural abnormalities also contribute, such as a deviated septum or the presence of nasal polyps, which significantly restrict airflow. Enlarged turbinates can swell due to allergies or infection, leading to nasal congestion that necessitates mouth breathing.
Environmental factors and allergies are widespread causes, leading to chronic rhinitis and nasal congestion. Allergies cause inflammation and swelling of the nasal lining, making it difficult to pull sufficient air through the nose. Sometimes the original obstruction is resolved, but the habit persists. A comprehensive evaluation by a specialist, such as an ENT doctor or an allergist, is necessary to determine the specific cause before treatment.
Myofunctional and Habit Correction Strategies
Once physical obstructions are cleared, the focus shifts to retraining the muscles of the face, jaw, and tongue through specialized exercises. This is the core of Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT), which establishes a healthy oral rest posture: tongue suctioned to the palate, lips sealed, and nasal breathing maintained. The goal is to strengthen these muscles so the correct posture becomes automatic, even during sleep.
A primary exercise is the “tongue-to-palate hold,” where the entire tongue is suctioned against the roof of the mouth. This strengthens the posterior tongue muscles and supports the palate. Another technique is the “tongue click,” which requires suctioning the tongue up and sharply releasing it to improve muscle coordination and strength.
Lip seal training ensures the mouth remains closed at rest. Simple exercises include holding water in the mouth without swallowing, forcing the lips to seal without clenching the jaw. For nighttime correction, some professionals recommend mouth taping, which uses a specialized adhesive to keep the lips closed and encourage nasal airflow during sleep. Consistent daily practice is necessary to reprogram muscle memory and reverse the habit of oral respiration.
Medical and Orthodontic Interventions
When mouth breathing is structural or facial changes are pronounced, medical and orthodontic interventions are necessary. For patients blocked by soft tissue, an ENT specialist may recommend surgery. A tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy is a common intervention, especially in children, to remove enlarged lymphoid tissues that obstruct the airway.
For structural nasal issues, procedures like a septoplasty can straighten a deviated septum, while a turbinate reduction can shrink swollen tissues, significantly improving nasal patency. These medical procedures are often the necessary first step, creating the physical capacity for full-time nasal breathing and allowing for successful muscle retraining afterward.
Orthodontic treatments address the narrow palate and dental misalignment caused by long-term mouth breathing. In growing children, a rapid palatal expander (RPE) gradually widens the upper jaw, which simultaneously opens the nasal airway. For older teens and adults whose skeletal growth is complete, procedures like Surgically Assisted Rapid Palatal Expansion (SARPE) may be utilized. Addressing the underlying structure creates the physical space for the tongue to rest correctly on the palate, supporting the long-term success of myofunctional therapy.