Open-mouth breathing refers to the act of breathing through the mouth rather than the nose. In children, this tendency is often prevalent during nighttime, although it may also manifest during daytime activities.
Although instances of mouth breathing are frequently linked to illnesses or allergies in children, persistent occurrences may signal more significant underlying problems. If open-mouth breathing persists throughout childhood, it poses a risk of contributing to various serious medical conditions.
In many instances, mouth breathing in children is a temporary occurrence linked to congestion or allergies, often resolving on its own.
Persistent mouth breathing in children may manifest through symptoms like:
- Irritability
- Cracked lips
- Excessive crying, especially in younger children
Frequent open-mouth breathing in children can lead to various dental health concerns, including:
- Enlarged tonsils
- Enlarged adenoids
- Temporomandibular disorder of the jaw
- Erosion of the teeth
- Teeth grinding
- Myofascial pain
- Periodontal disease
- Impacted teeth
- Malocclusion
- Tooth decay
- Chronic bad breath
Beyond dental issues, open-mouth breathing may contribute to overall health problems, such as:
- Dry mouth
- Daytime drowsiness
- Headaches
- Sleep deprivation
- Restless sleep
- Poor focus
- Memory issues
- Snoring
Child mouth breathing primarily occurs during nighttime sleep, indicating potential nasal passage problems. If your child experiences persistent mouth breathing, particularly when not ill, consulting with their pediatric dentist is essential to identify and address the underlying causes. Often unintentional, both children and adults may resort to open-mouth breathing when faced with difficulty breathing through the nose.
Your child likely engages in open-mouth breathing due to an obstruction in their nasal passage. Some common underlying issues leading to mouth breathing may include:
- Deviated septum
- Enlarged vessels, bones, or tissue in their nasal passage
- Tongue tie
In cases where your child is mouth breathing without a blocked nasal passage, it could be attributed to problems with their bite and mouth structure. The shape of your child’s jaw may hinder proper mouth closure, leading them to breathe through the mouth as it cannot shut correctly.
If your toddler sleeps with an open mouth but predominantly breathes through the nose, the issue might not be related to their mouth or bite structure. Instead, there could be a blockage in the upper airway, such as their throat or nose.
To address mouth breathing in a child, take the following steps:
1. Schedule an appointment with their pediatric dentist for an assessment, considering potential orthodontic interventions.
2. If orthodontic issues are ruled out, proceed with an evaluation for the removal of adenoids and tonsils.
3. If the problem persists, arrange evaluations for:
– Throat or nasal obstruction
– Allergies
– Sinus and nasal issues
– Tongue tie
4. Ensure your child maintains an appropriate weight for their height, as increased weight can contribute to open-mouth breathing.
Open-mouth breathing in children can lead to behavioral issues, affecting their ability to concentrate, causing irritability, and disrupting their sleep. This breathing pattern may hinder proper oxygen intake, impacting your child’s mental development and cognitive functioning.
Behavioral health concerns associated with mouth breathing in children include:
- Slower cognitive development
- Difficulty concentrating and problem-solving
- Disturbed social and emotional development
- Increased risk of being incorrectly diagnosed with ADHD or ADD
- Poor school performance
Open-mouth breathing may manifest in infants as early as three to four months, as they haven’t yet developed the reflex to breathe through their mouths. If your baby or young child breathes through their mouth at night, this habit can persist even when they are awake.
Being mindful of mouth breathing in babies is crucial, as untreated cases may impact their brain development.
Children are more susceptible to mouth breathing if they engage in thumb-sucking, use pacifiers for an extended period, or discontinue breastfeeding or bottle feeding before reaching three months of age.
Upon observing signs of mouth breathing in your child, please schedule an appointment with their pediatric dentist. The dentist may recommend consulting with another specialist to determine the root cause of their mouth breathing. Treatment options for children experiencing mouth breathing may involve:
- Allergy management
- Breathing training
- Surgical procedures (enlarged tonsils, adenoids, tongue tie, or deviated septum)
- Thumb-sucking cessation strategies
- Orthodontic interventions (guiding teeth and jaw movements)
When your child predominantly breathes through their mouth, it can impact their speech, potentially leading to challenges with certain speech sounds or the development of a lisp. Difficulty in pronouncing the letter “s” may arise if a lisp develops. The mouth breathing can contribute to a tongue thrust swallowing pattern, typically manifesting in late childhood. Prolonged mouth breathing can lead to severe consequences, including difficulty in swallowing and an increased risk of choking.
