Habitual Mouth Breathing: Damages and Solutions

December 15, 2014
1640 Views

Nose breathing is basic to natural health, while habitual mouth breathing (HMO) can contribute to cavities, bleeding gums, narrow jaws, crowded teeth, less attractive face, snoring, aging faster, and more — see over-breathing next.
Mouth Breathing dr felix liao church falls va
Are the lips of your child apart when she/he is sitting quietly? Are they dry and chapped? These small signs can mean orthodontic and other problems later.

The good news: Butyeko Breathing can correct habitual mouth breathing. At Whole Health Dental Center, we offer training in Buteyko Breathing as a basic practice to promote oral and total health for children and adults.

Over-Breathing

Do you take a deep breath when confronting stress, a deadline, bottom line, long line, or the dental chair? Big deep breaths actually delivers LESS oxygen to the brain, heart, and muscles. The explanation is Bohr’s Effect.

Over-eating is not healthy, neither is over-breathing. Habitual mouth breathing is a form of over-breathing because the mouth is much bigger than two nostrils. Over-breathing deliver “super-size meals” that can burden the respiratory system.

For the natural and right way to breathe, observe a baby’s breathing: small belly movements only, and with the lips closed. Or you can take a class with us.

Oral-Systemic Effects of Over-Breathing

Over-breathing contributes to many symptoms, according to Patrick McKeownm author of Close Your Mouth:

  • Respiratory: wheezing, breathlessness, coughing, chest tightness, frequent yawing, snoring, sleep apnea, frequent colds
  • Neurological: light-headed feeling, brain fog, dizziness, vertigo, tingling of hands and feet, faintness, trembling, headache, sweaty palms, muscle cramps
  • Heart: palpitations, fast pulse, tightness and pain in the chest
  • Mood: shades of anxiety, tension, depression, apprehension, stress
  • Oral-Digestive: Dry (“cotton”) mouth, burning tongue, diarrhea, constipation, chronic fatigue, frequent yawning, sighs, and sore throat
  • Sleep: nightmares, bed wetting, bladder urgency without being full, racing mind, snoring, sleep apnea

The Solution

Nose breathing is basic to natural health, while mouth breathing is an acquired bad habit that can adversely affect children’s dental-facial development as well as adults’ energy level and quality of life.

The solution is simple: replace Habitual Mouth Breathing with Buteyko Breathing (BB), says Dr. Joseph Mercola. A short list of what BB is good for based on experience:

For a schedule of classes, please contact us, or call us directly at 703-385-6425.

Recent Blogs

Can Tongue Thrust Be Corrected in Adults

Nov 15, 2023

Are you familiar with the phrase” old habits die hard”? As you approach adulthood, your habits grow old with you and strengthen with time. Tongue thrust is one of them, to address it among adults. It needs an intense therapeutic plan paired with dedication and patience. However, considering rewards like improved speech clarity and enhanced […]

815 Views Read more

Why Does My Jaw Pop Every Time I Open My Mouth?

Oct 30, 2023

Have you ever noticed a weird “pop” or “click” sound coming from your mouth every time you open it? Be it when you’re yawning or taking a big bite of your sandwich, a sudden pop can make you freeze in your tracks. But don’t worry, you’re not alone. Many people face the same problem, asking […]

2548 Views Read more

Can You Chew Gum if You Have Braces?

Oct 15, 2023

Dental braces can sometimes feel like a prison designed specifically for your pearly whites. Sure, it promises to better your teeth by aligning them and getting them in shape, but that doesn’t always translate well for your teeth. The metal wires aren’t just constricting, but they also lead to lots of pain and restrictions over […]

2032 Views Read more

Can A Toothache Actually Cause A Headache?

Sep 30, 2023

Have you ever experienced a toothache so intense that it left you wanting to curl up in a ball and never move? Toothaches can pop up out of the blue and leave behind an uncomfortable sensation in your mouth. The worst part is that the pain doesn’t just stick to your teeth. It has the […]

1389 Views Read more

Why Am I Waking Up With a Dry Mouth? Effective Tips to Stop It

Sep 15, 2023

Why Am I Waking Up With a Dry Mouth? Effective Tips to Stop It Imagine this: you start the day ready to take on the world, but there is a problem: your mouth’s as dry as cotton! If you are waking up with a dry mouth, it could have many causes. Your mouth needs adequate […]

1463 Views Read more

Teeth Grinding & Headaches: All You Need to Know

Aug 30, 2023

If you have an unconscious habit that is bad for your teeth, it will have its effects on other areas of your body, too. Our mind and body are connected as such; when you indulge in teeth grinding and clenching, it will cause pain in your head, jaw, ear, and more, among other symptoms. So, […]

594 Views Read more

Causes & Symptoms of Crowded Teeth

Aug 15, 2023

Do you have crowded teeth? Having teeth that are not properly aligned is not only a cosmetic concern but also indicates that you need dental attention. If you have crowded teeth, it can lead to multiple issues and put your oral health in jeopardy. So, what causes crowded teeth? We will discuss it in this […]

4139 Views Read more

5 Signs Your Jaw is Out of Alignment | What Should You Do?

Jul 30, 2023

Many people don’t realize their jaws could be misaligned. However, the symptoms your mouth is indicating might tell otherwise. Think of this: do your teeth not fit together? Maybe you have trouble speaking or experience teeth grinding at night — these are some signs that could mean you might have dental malocclusion. So, how to […]

1545 Views Read more

All About Tongue Thrusting in Adults

Jul 15, 2023

Do you tend to push your tongue against your teeth when swallowing, eating, or even relaxing? Your mouth is often the medium of symptoms warning against underlying issues within your body, and tongue thrusting is among those signs. You may thrust your tongue against the back of your teeth or between the upper and lower […]

6100 Views Read more

Crooked Bottom Teeth: Is it Something You Should Ignore?

Jun 30, 2023

We usually focus on our upper front teeth since they’re the ones we view more often, but the bottom ones matter just as much. So you might not have noticed that you have crooked bottom teeth. If you do, it needs orthodontic treatment not just for cosmetic reasons but for improved oral health as well. […]

4154 Views Read more
Skip to content