Mouth Breathing Affects Your ENT & Oral Health
Mouth breathing is often overlooked, yet it can significantly impact both ENT (ear, nose, and throat) and oral health. While occasional mouth breathing—such as during a cold—is normal, chronic mouth breathing can indicate underlying issues, such as nasal congestion, allergies, or structural obstructions like a deviated septum. Over time, this habit can lead to a variety of health problems, affecting everything from sleep quality to dental alignment.
Dental Alignment : Hidden Clues of Reduced Airway Dimensions
The Causes Behind Mouth Breathing
One of the most common causes of mouth breathing is nasal congestion, which can stem from allergies, sinus infections, or structural issues like enlarged turbinates or a deviated septum. In children, enlarged adenoids are a frequent cause of airway obstruction, making nasal breathing difficult. As Dr. Jeeve Kanaglingam, an ENT specialist at The ENT Clinic Singapore, explains, “In children, the most common reason for chronic mouth breathing is enlarged adenoids, while in adults, a deviated septum or nasal polyps can cause persistent nasal obstruction.”
When nasal breathing becomes restricted, individuals may develop the habit of mouth breathing, sometimes without even realizing it. While this adaptation helps maintain airflow, it bypasses the nose’s natural filtering and humidifying functions, leading to various health concerns.
ENT Health and Mouth Breathing
Breathing through the nose serves important physiological functions: it filters dust and allergens, humidifies the air, and regulates temperature before the air reaches the lungs. When these functions are bypassed, chronic mouth breathers are more prone to throat irritation, dryness, and even frequent infections.
Additionally, persistent mouth breathing can contribute to snoring and sleep apnea, as improper airflow through the airway may cause airway collapse during sleep. “Over time, nasal obstruction and mouth breathing can lead to structural changes in the jaw and tongue position, which can further impact sleep quality and speech development,” Dr. Jeeve adds. In some cases, children who struggle with persistent mouth breathing may develop sleep-disordered breathing, which can affect their energy levels, concentration, and overall development.
The Oral Health Connection
Beyond ENT concerns, chronic mouth breathing can have significant effects on oral health. “In the short term, mouth breathing dries out the mouth causing increased stains and bad breath. Increases in tooth decay and gingivitis tend to be noted especially in children, as one loses the protective buffering capacity of saliva while mouth breathing,” adds Dr. Tabitha Chng, a paediatric dentist at My First Dentist.
In the long term, chronic mouth breathing alters the balance of facial muscles and influences jaw development. This is especially significant during childhood when the oral-facial structures are still developing. Over time, the face grows long and narrow, with a receding chin. Teeth are crooked as the jaws grow poorly. The palate (upper jaw) is narrow while the mandible (lower jaw) is retruded. The impact of poor development is not limited to the teeth.
As the roof of the mouth forms the floor of the nose, the structural dimensions of the airway are intimately related to the jaws. Paediatric dentists are well poised to intercept these growth issues early with early interceptive measures. These include palate expansion and growth modification, which takes advantage of a child’s growth potential to redirect jaw development. It is far easier to redirect growth when young than fix issues surgically when older.
Seeking Treatment for Mouth Breathing
If mouth breathing is persistent, seeking guidance from both an ENT specialist and a dentist is essential. An ENT specialist can assess and treat any nasal blockages or structural issues, while a dentist can intercept any early jaw structural restrictions that are unfavourable to a healthy airway.
Treatment options vary depending on the cause. “For structural problems like a severely deviated septum, surgery such as a septoplasty may be necessary,” says Dr. Jeeve. “For children with enlarged adenoids, nasal steroid sprays can sometimes help, but in more severe cases, an adenoidectomy might be required.”
For those suffering from allergies, reducing allergen exposure and using prescribed treatments like antihistamines or nasal sprays can help restore normal nasal breathing. “Encouraging nasal breathing from a young age is key,” Dr. Tabitha adds. “Parents should address sucking habits that can narrow the jaws early e.g. Pacifier or thumb sucking. In addition, seek out a paediatric dentist if your child does not have spaces between their baby teeth or have a deep overbite. These are often clues that the jaws are too small for the incoming adult teeth and that the airway could benefit from early interceptive treatment."
Conclusion
Mouth breathing isn’t just a minor inconvenience—it can have lasting effects on both ENT and oral health. Identifying the root cause and seeking appropriate treatment can prevent long-term complications, improving overall well-being and quality of life. If you or your child experiences persistent mouth breathing, consulting an ENT specialist and a dentist is the best step toward healthier breathing and a healthier smile.
This article is co-written by Dr Jeeve Kanaglingham an ENT specialist at The ENT Clinic and our paediatric dental specialist Dr Tabitha Chng.