By Dr. Keerthi Sudireddy
Habitual mouth breathing, often from blocked nasal passages, can affect oral health and, in children, even jaw and tooth development.
Mouth breathing dries the mouth, reducing protective saliva and raising the risk of cavities, gum disease and bad breath. In children, long-term mouth breathing can affect jaw growth and tooth alignment, sometimes leading to a narrow arch and crowding. Treating the cause (such as allergies or enlarged tonsils) and seeing a dentist or doctor helps protect the smile.
Effects of mouth breathing
- Dry mouth, more cavities and gum problems.
- Bad breath.
- In children: altered jaw growth and crowding.
What to do
Identify and treat the cause (allergies, blocked nose, enlarged tonsils) with a doctor, and see a dentist to monitor development. In children, early orthodontic assessment helps.
Book an assessment at The Tooth Studio.
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