The process of respiration involves much more than just the exchange between the oxygen in the environment by the carbon dioxide produced by our cells. The path that takes the air to our lungs is complex, and a series of events take place on this path that condition the air so that it is in optimal condition when it enters our body. When we breathe for a long time through the mouth, there can be a series of problems ranging from simple fatigue to the development of a syndrome.
If you have ever wondered if it is terrible to breathe through your mouth, we invite you to continue reading this article on FastlyHealto knows the answer to this question.
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Situations that make us breathe through our mouth
There are many reasons why everyone, at some point, needs to breathe through the mouth to supply our body with essential oxygen for cell functions since the passage of air through the nose is compromised. Something perfectly normal is to feel the need to breathe through your mouth after intense exercise to capture a more significant amount of air, but this need always lasts a few minutes. In the following article, we explain how to breathe while running to avoid getting tired.
Certain conditions can produce a nasal obstruction, which causes a blockage of the nasal passages for a time that can be longer. The most common of all is when we suffer from a common cold due to excessive mucus production or inflammation of the nose lining.
There may also be an overgrowth of the nasal structures, which causes a blockage of the airways, such as hypertrophy of turbinates or adenoids, or a deviation of the septum or nasal septum makes it difficult for air to pass and leads people to be mouth breathers.
Why is mouth breathing bad?
When we usually breathe through the nose, the air comes into contact with a series of structures and spaces that conditions it for use by our body. Nasal hairs and mucus trap dust, dirt, and airborne microorganisms, antibodies in the mucosa fight viruses and bacteria to build resistance, and structures called turbinates and sinuses heat and moisten the air.
Mouth breathing, therefore, causes processes that are normal and necessary to be skipped. In the first place, in the absence of exposure to microorganisms, the immune cells of the nose do not develop the defenses to fight them. Hence, mouth breathers become more prone to diseases, especially respiratory conditions.
There can be a constant feeling of fatigue due to an imbalance in the amount of oxygen and carbon dioxide that enters the lungs, causing the body not to receive all the oxygen it needs.
Similarly, when the air does not pass through the paranasal sinuses, the nitric oxide they produce is not acquired, which is necessary for oxygen in the lungs thanks to a vasodilator effect.
The mouth breather also tends to have problems when eating since the same is used for both functions, so the chewing of food is usually little or eats little to breathe, translating into eating problems.
Mouth breather syndrome
In cases of mouth breathing that occur in children from an early age and are not corrected promptly, the so-called mouth respiratory syndrome can develop. Air pressure within the nasal passages and sinuses is essential for the proper formation of the mouth, face, and nose structures.
When breathing through the mouth, the air does not exert pressure in the correct places, and due to the fact of having the mouth open for a long time, there is an alteration in the position of bone structures and teeth.
Adenoid facies are known as the facial expression that mouth breather children adopt as time passes and is characterized by a vague look with the mouth constantly open, a tired phrase, a long face, flattened cheekbones, and the upper lip becomes small. The lower is enlarged, the wrong position of the teeth and deep palate.
Mouth breathing can be so significant that it alters the child’s posture, causing them to tilt their head down and hunch their back.
Treatments for mouth breathers
Stopping breathing through the mouth can be complex; it is necessary to eliminate the cause of the habit and involves learning to breathe through the nose by the affected person. This therapy consists of explaining to the patient how breathing should be and encouraging living through the nose throughout the day, controlling breathing rhythm.
Through consultation with an otolaryngologist, the cause of mouth breathing can be identified to devise a treatment plan and eliminate the causing condition. Treatment of conditions that precipitate mouth breathing is usually initiated by drug therapy to reduce the etiological factor. Typically, this can include allergies, anti-inflammatories, or vasoconstrictors. Occasionally, surgical intervention is necessary to correct anatomical structures causing the obstruction.
When there is an alteration at the mouth level due to the oral respiratory syndrome, it can often be promptly eliminated through the implementation of dentofacial orthopedic appliances, which redirect the development of the bone and teeth so that they are concluded in a suitable position. In the case of an adult, then orthodontic treatment is recommended to correct the wrong places.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
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I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.