Mouth breathing: understand the cause before trying exercises

Mouth breathing: understand the cause before trying exercises

Regularly breathing through the mouth is a reason to investigate the cause, especially with frequent nasal congestion, snoring or disturbed sleep. A tongue appliance cannot diagnose or resolve an obstruction. A physician or ear, nose and throat specialist can help assess the situation.

One observation, several possible situations

A slightly open mouth in a photograph does not establish chronic mouth breathing. Clarify when it happens, whether it persists and which other signs accompany it. An assessment may consider nasal airflow, sleep, habits and dental health.

What studies in children show

Reviews find associations between mouth breathing and certain features of the dental arches and face. The studies are mainly observational: they do not prove that mouth breathing is the sole cause of those features. Zhao et al., 2021; Zheng et al., 2020.

Not all children who breathe through their mouths have a bite problem. An individual assessment matters more than a stereotypical facial profile shared online. Souki et al., 2009.

Why investigate an obstruction before rehabilitation?

Adenoids, tonsils and some nasal conditions are among the factors professionals may investigate. Studies report variable dental and facial outcomes after ENT treatment. It would be an overstatement to promise that an intervention or exercise normalizes facial shape. Becking et al., 2017.

Where can rehabilitation fit in?

Functional exercises may be considered within coordinated care, depending on the assessment. Exercises studied for sleep apnea are not the same as simply wearing an oral appliance. European Respiratory Society recommendations do not present them as a replacement for continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP. Randerath et al., 2021.

Read about tongue exercises and sleep apnea and the tongue rehabilitation pathway.

Prepare for an appointment

  • Note whether mouth breathing occurs during the day, at night or both.
  • Describe nasal congestion, snoring, observed breathing pauses and sleep difficulties.
  • List treatments and appliances already used.
  • Ask which professional will coordinate the next steps.

Myoforce is a prefabricated tongue appliance. It is not presented as a treatment for nasal obstruction or sleep apnea. Its features are described on the product page.