Damage to breathing through the mouth

 Damage to breathing through the mouth

Learn the most important information about breathing through the mouth through the following article.

Many people breathe through the mouth, as they find it difficult to breathe through the nose only, and they feel that oxygen is not reaching their body, so they resort to the mouth instead of the nose, but does this involve health risks? What causes mouth breathing?

Breathing is one of the most important vital processes that provide the body with the oxygen needed to stay alive, and it also helps you get rid of carbon dioxide and other waste products. Usually a healthy person uses the nose and mouth during the breathing process, as the inhale is taken through the nose and exhaled through the mouth.

Breathing through the mouth: when does it happen?

It is possible to resort to mouth breathing when you suffer from nasal congestion as a result of an allergy or a cold, or even when you exercise heavily so that your muscles need oxygen to reach them faster.

There are some situations when you really need to use the mouth to take the inhale, but if you notice that you are breathing through the mouth all the time and during sleep, that could lead to a problem.

Breathing through the mouth by children may lead to tooth warp, birth defects, or even growth problems, but in adults, doing so may cause bad breath and gum problems, as well as exacerbate the symptoms of some different diseases.

Why should you breathe through your nose?

It is natural that we do not feel the importance of the mouth and breathing through it, but when you have a cold, you will definitely feel this, then you will feel that you are not getting enough oxygen, to use your mouth in this case, this matter will affect the quality of your life and your sleep as well.

The nose produces nitric oxide, which improves the lungs' ability to absorb oxygen, as nitric oxide contributes to the more efficient passage of oxygen through the body and to the heart. Nitric oxide is also an antifungal, antiviral, parasite, and bactericide, and it helps the immune system protect the body from infection.

The benefits of breathing through the nose are as follows:

The nose works to purify the air entering the body

The nose adds necessary moisture to the air to prevent the lungs and airways from drying out

The nose heats the cold air until it reaches body temperature before it reaches the lungs

Breathing through the mouth adds resistance to the airflow which increases the oxygen by keeping the lungs flexible.

Do you breathe through the mouth?

You may not feel that you are breathing through the mouth instead of through the nose, especially during sleeping hours, but the following symptoms usually appear on you if you do so:

Snoring

Dry mouth

Bad breath

Hoarseness

Waking up tired

Chronic fatigue

Blackness around the eyes

Brain fog

In children, these symptoms may appear:

Slow growth process

Irritability

An increase in crying spells, especially at night hours

Enlarged tonsils

Dry and chapped lips

Trouble concentrating

Sleepiness during daylight hours.

Why do you breathe through the mouth?

There are always underlying reasons for you to breathe through the mouth, and one of the most important of these reasons is the obstruction of the nasal passages, when this happens, the body automatically heads to the mouth as an alternative to the nose to supply it with the necessary oxygen.

Among the reasons that lead to blockage of the nasal passages:

Nasal congestion

Adenoid and tonsil enlargement

Deviated septum

Nasal polyps

The shape of the nose and jaw

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

Being stressed and anxious.

In some cases, you may get used to mouth breathing even after your nasal congestion has cleared up.

Are there risks to breathing through the mouth?

Breathing through the mouth increases your risk of developing the following diseases:

Chronic allergy

Hay fever or seasonal rhinitis

Chronic sinusitis

asthma

Chronic stress and anxiety

Periodontal disease, such as tooth decay

Bad breath

Sore throat and ear.

How is mouth breathing treated?

The treatment of breathing through the mouth depends on the underlying cause, and the earlier this is done, the better the results, especially in children.

Here are the following tips that may avoid you breathing through the mouth:

Using the nasal spray, especially on long trips

Use the medications prescribed by your doctor if you have an allergy

Sleep on your back, making sure to raise your head so that the airways are open

Make sure to clean the house and get rid of allergens

Try to breathe through the nose during daylight hours as much as possible.

Watch yourself and your children for any symptoms of mouth breathing and treat it as quickly as possible.