Open mouth posture (OMP) refers to the habit of resting with the lips parted and the mouth slightly open instead of being gently sealed at rest. The natural, correct resting posture involves the lips closed, the teeth lightly touching, and the tongue comfortably suctioned against the entire roof of the mouth, which facilitates continuous nasal breathing. OMP is not simply a cosmetic issue, but rather a functional pattern that can signal an underlying breathing or muscular imbalance. Whether the cause is a learned habit or a physical obstruction, correcting this posture is a necessary step toward improving overall respiratory efficiency and long-term health.
Health Impacts of Open Mouth Posture
Chronic open mouth posture bypasses the nose’s natural filtering and humidifying functions, leading to several negative health consequences. The constant flow of unfiltered air dries out the oral tissues, significantly reducing the protective qualities of saliva. This dry environment increases the risk for dental decay, gingivitis, and chronic bad breath because the mouth loses its ability to neutralize acids and wash away bacteria effectively.
In children, the lack of proper tongue pressure on the upper palate can interfere with normal craniofacial development. This often leads to a narrower upper jaw, a high-arched palate, and dental malocclusion, such as an increased overbite or crowded teeth. Over time, this altered growth pattern is associated with a longer, less defined facial appearance, sometimes referred to as “long face syndrome”. For both adults and children, OMP can compromise the airway, contributing to snoring and increasing the risk of sleep-disordered breathing, which reduces the quality of restorative sleep.
Primary Drivers of Mouth Breathing
The underlying reasons for OMP can be broadly separated into anatomical obstructions and functional habits. Anatomical issues physically block the nasal airway, forcing the body to breathe through the mouth as a compensatory mechanism. Common obstructions include:
- Chronic nasal congestion from allergies or persistent sinusitis.
- Structural defects like a deviated nasal septum.
- Enlarged tonsils or adenoids, particularly in children, which can swell and severely limit the passage of air through the back of the nose and throat.
Once the nasal airway is physically compromised, the mouth opens, and the habit begins. Even after a physical obstruction is resolved, the body may continue to use the mouth for breathing out of habit, which is known as habitual mouth breathing. Functional causes relate to weak orofacial muscles and poor resting posture, where the tongue habitually rests on the floor of the mouth instead of the palate. Childhood habits like prolonged pacifier use or thumb-sucking can contribute to this low tongue posture, reinforcing the cycle of mouth breathing and muscle weakness.
Daily Exercises for Habit Correction
Retraining the muscles and establishing a proper oral rest posture requires consistent daily exercises designed to increase tongue strength and awareness. The primary goal is to teach the tongue to rest in the “Mew spot,” where the entire surface, from tip to back, is suctioned against the roof of the mouth. To practice this posture, the tip of the tongue should be placed on the alveolar ridge, the bump behind the upper front teeth, and then the rest of the tongue is drawn upward to seal against the palate. This creates a gentle suction, which is the correct resting position that should be maintained throughout the day.
Tongue and Swallowing Exercises
One effective exercise is the “Suction Hold,” which involves pressing the entire tongue firmly against the palate and then attempting to keep it there while opening and closing the jaw gently. Another technique is “Spot Swallowing,” where a small amount of water or saliva is swallowed with the teeth lightly touching and the tongue anchored to the roof of the mouth, ensuring no cheek or lip muscles are visibly straining. This trains the tongue to provide the sole force for swallowing.
Breathing and Nighttime Aids
Conscious breathing practice is another important component, focusing on slow, deep, diaphragmatic breaths through the nose while maintaining the sealed lip posture. For nighttime awareness, which is often the most difficult time for habit control, one can try using a chin strap to support the jaw or, with extreme caution, specially designed mouth tape. Mouth taping should only be attempted after consulting a healthcare professional to ensure the nasal passages are completely clear and free of any breathing obstructions.
Medical and Dental Treatment Options
When at-home exercises are insufficient, professional intervention is often necessary, particularly if a physical obstruction is the root cause.
Addressing Anatomical Obstructions
An Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) specialist can assess the nasal airway for blockages. If large tonsils or adenoids are impairing breathing, a tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy may be recommended, especially for children. For adults, procedures like septoplasty can straighten a deviated septum, or turbinate reduction can shrink swollen nasal tissues, significantly improving nasal airflow.
Orthodontic and Myofunctional Therapy
Orthodontic and dental professionals can address the structural consequences of OMP. Devices such as palatal expanders are used to widen the narrow upper dental arch that often results from chronic mouth breathing, which in turn can help open up the nasal passages. For both children and adults, correcting malocclusion with braces or clear aligners may be necessary to stabilize the bite after the underlying breathing issue is treated.
A specialized, non-invasive approach called Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT) is specifically designed to correct poor muscle function. A myofunctional therapist works with the patient to strengthen the muscles of the tongue, lips, and face through a structured series of exercises. OMT retrains the muscles to achieve and maintain the correct resting posture and swallowing pattern, supporting the long-term establishment of nasal breathing.