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Mouth breathing: adverse effects on facial growth, health, academics, and behavior

Yosh Jefferson

    General Dentistry
    |February 5, 2010
    PubMed

    Insights

    Mouth breathing, or upper airway obstruction, negatively impacts facial growth and health in children. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to prevent long-term dental, facial, and developmental issues.

    Area of Science:

    • Pediatric Health
    • Orthodontics
    • Sleep Medicine

    Background:

    • Many healthcare professionals lack awareness of mouth breathing's detrimental effects on facial development and overall health.
    • Untreated mouth breathing in children can lead to significant aesthetic and functional issues.

    Observation:

    • Mouth breathing is linked to long, narrow faces, narrow mouths, high palatal vaults, and dental malocclusion.
    • Sleep disturbances due to airway obstruction can impair growth and academic performance.
    • Children with mouth breathing are often misdiagnosed with attention deficit disorder (ADD) and hyperactivity.

    Findings:

    • Early screening and diagnosis of mouth breathing in children as young as 5 are essential.
    • Intervention can mitigate negative impacts on facial and dental development.
    • Addressing mouth breathing can prevent associated medical and social problems.

    Implications:

    • Healthcare providers, including dentists, must be educated to identify and manage mouth breathing.
    • Timely treatment can improve children's quality of life, health, and academic outcomes.
    • Public health initiatives should focus on raising awareness about the consequences of mouth breathing.

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