Hello,

I am Dr. Park Yeol, an orthodontic specialist who has been providing orthodontic treatment near Gangnam Station for over 20 years. 😃

When treating children and teenagers, I often see cases where the habit of breathing through the mouth (mouth breathing) causes problems with tooth alignment or facial growth.

Today, let’s look at why mouth breathing is a problem and how it can improve with orthodontic treatment.

Mouth Breathing Habit and Orthodontics

👃 Normal breathing should be through the nose!

The inside of the nose has a filtering function.

It filters out bacteria and also regulates humidity and temperature.

In this way, when oxygen from the air enters the body, it reaches the lungs at an appropriate temperature and humidity and can function properly.

However, when you breathe through the mouth for some reason, there is no filtering function in the mouth, so bacteria from the air are not filtered out well, and humidity and temperature are not properly regulated, which lowers the oxygen concentration that enters the lungs and reduces efficiency.

In this way, the normal way is to breathe through the nose, which is called nasal breathing, and when someone cannot breathe through the nose for some reason and breathes through the mouth, this is called mouth breathing.

👄 Problems Caused by Breathing Through the Mouth

Changes Inside the Mouth

When you breathe through the mouth, air moves in and out through the mouth, so the tongue position becomes slightly lower than normal.

The width of the dental arch narrows, leading to an 'open bite.'

(the front teeth are separated vertically)

Facial and Growth Problems

When an open bite occurs, the lower jaw is pushed back, creating a tendency toward a recessed chin, and the face becomes longer and appears pushed backward.

Also, when at rest, the mouth muscles remain open, so the lips do not close easily, and you have to forcefully use effort to close them, which often leads to the protruding-mouth tendency that we commonly see.

Concentration and Sleep Problems

Because there is no filtering function like the nose, the quality of oxygen is lowered.

Fatigue builds up and concentration also declines.

Can children who breathe through the mouth improve with orthodontic treatment?

Yes, they can :)

The most common reason for being unable to breathe through the nose and breathing through the mouth is a nasal condition such as rhinitis.

When breathing through the nose is difficult, people end up breathing through the mouth, and as a result, various types of malocclusion caused by breathing can occur.

For these children, the most important thing is to correct the upper dental arch so that they can breathe through the nose.

Upper Dental Arch Expansion

We said that when you breathe through the mouth, the upper dental arch on both sides becomes narrow, causing various malocclusions, right?

If orthodontic treatment widens the dental arch, the air passage becomes wider, breathing becomes much easier, and you can breathe through the nose.

Improvement of Tooth Alignment and Bite

The narrowed dental arch is widened, and the lower teeth are aligned evenly.

The bite between the upper and lower molars improves, and the lower jaw naturally moves forward.

Closing the mouth becomes easier, and the protruding appearance also improves.

Improved Breathing

In many cases, mouth-breathing symptoms improve with orthodontics alone. In fact, there are reports that breathing through the nose became easier with orthodontic treatment alone, without treating rhinitis.

For teenagers in their growth period, correcting mouth breathing with orthodontics is even more effective!

During the growth period, the facial bones and dental arch are developing. If orthodontics is used at this time to properly position the teeth and jaw, breathing becomes easier, facial balance improves, and tendencies such as a recessed chin or protruding mouth also improve.

👦 In particular, which children should consider orthodontic treatment?

If the following apply, an orthodontic consultation is definitely needed.

1️⃣ A child with severe rhinitis or nasal congestion who always breathes with the mouth open

2️⃣ A case where the teeth are not evenly aligned and it is difficult to close the mouth

3️⃣ A case showing a recessed-chin symptom where the lower jaw is set back

4️⃣ A case where the face is gradually getting longer and shows a protruding-mouth tendency

If these symptoms are present, starting orthodontic treatment during the growth period can lead to good results in both improved breathing and restored facial balance.

The habit of breathing through the mouth is not just a simple habit. It is an important issue that can affect tooth alignment, facial growth, concentration, and even sleep quality. 📌

If your child often keeps their mouth open or shows symptoms of a recessed chin or protruding mouth, I recommend getting a consultation with an orthodontic specialist. 😃

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I am Dr. Park Yeol, your lifelong doctor 🩺

Based on 20 years of experience, I introduce trustworthy dental information. 😃

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