Mouth Breathing
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Breathing is an innate ability, one that is not taught
Breathing is such a simple concept yet so complex. Unless we have respiratory issues, it’s something we take for granted and often forget.
Have you ever sat for a quiet moment to think about how you breathe? As children we infer that eyes are for seeing, ears are for listening, the mouth is for eating, drinking and speaking, lastly the nose is for smelling. Where does the act of breathing fit in? Is it through the mouth or the nose? While reading this, how do you find yourself?
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Do you identify as someone with the following mouth breathing symptoms?
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Long face
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Dark circles under the eyes
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Crooked teeth
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Stuffy nose
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Recessed lower jaw
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High vaulted palate
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Temporomandibular Joint Disorder
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Flaccid/low tone tongue
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Diminished taste
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Bad breath
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Dental decay
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Brain fog
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Enlarged tonsils and adenoids
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Reduced lung volume
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Increased risk of sleeping issues
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Airway Obstruction
Enlarged adenoids/tonsils are glandular tissue in the throat, which can decrease the volume a person has in the airway to breathe correctly. Breathing re-education is not commonly discussed after the removal of adenoids and tonsils. If the obstruction is removed but the habit of mouth breathing continues, relapse is common. Contrary to belief, it is possible for adenoids to grow back.​
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Learned Behavior and Habit
Kids are like sponges, they absorb everything. If they see their loved one’s mouth breathing they could potentially mimic the behavior. The learned behavior can also present as a habit that
occurs subconsciously. This tends to happen due to allergies, after a cold, or a stuffy nose. Breathing through the mouth is easier when you are congested so over time this can become habit-forming.​
At Breathing Essentials Myofunctional Therapy we see how negative habits can be detrimental to everyday breathing. Quality of life can be enhanced simply by making small changes to the way you breathe.