In healthy individuals, breathing starts from the nose. However, if there is any condition that prevents nasal breathing, the individual begins to breathe through the mouth to meet his respiratory needs. This condition, which begins in childhood, especially in children between the ages of 3-6, should not be ignored by families. In addition to its medical benefits, nasal breathing is an extremely important mechanism for jaw and facial development.
Families should carefully observe their children's breathing patterns. Families should be careful if children sleep with their mouth open at night and snore. Children with mouth breathing should be taken to an ear, nose and throat specialist and the cause should be investigated. Mouth breathing in children may occur due to adenoids, tonsil problems, allergic nasal congestion, frequent colds, nostrils being smaller than normal, the spaces in the nose being covered with mucosa, and deviation in the nose. The factor or factors causing mouth breathing should be eliminated as early as possible. The ENT specialist plans a treatment for the patient according to the causative factors and it is implemented together with the family. Treatment options, including surgery, may be offered for children with large adenoids.
What Does Mouth Breathing Cause in Jaw Growth?
The mouth of a mouth-breathing child is always open, which contributes to normal jaw growth and tooth development. The balance of tongue, lips and cheeks changes completely. To provide access to breathing, the lower jaw is constantly positioned downwards and growth continues longitudinally in the downward direction. As the individual grows, the height of the face increases and after a while, the child becomes unable to close his lips comfortably at rest. Depending on the individual structure, open bite may also develop between the front teeth, and in such cases, orthodontic treatment becomes more complicated.
In some cases, children involuntarily shift their lower jaw forward in order to breathe easily, which means that with growth, the lower jaw is constantly forward. causes its positioning. Most of the time, the nostrils are narrower than normal in children who breathe through their mouths.
When adenoid and respiratory problems are noticed at a young age, children can return to normal growth and development, but when it is noticed late, improper growth can become permanent.
It should not be forgotten that even if the nasal airways are relaxed in individuals with chronic nasal congestion, mouth breathing may be permanent because mouth breathing can become a habit that is difficult to break. Therefore, the right treatment at the right time is important.
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