Orthodontics
The link between breathing and your oral and development health
With functional nasal breathing the tongue sits at the roof of the mouth. The tongue is one of the strongest muscles of the body and acts s a driving force in developing wide arches of the upper jaw and face. If a child habitually breathes through their mouth and does not have the tongue resting on the roof of their mouth then the jaw becomes under developed resulting in crowding, crooked teeth, narrow airways and other dental disorders.
Open mouth breathing can also lead to thickening of saliva leading to a breeding ground for bacteria contributing to dental decay, periodontal disease and bad breath.
The success of any orthodontic treatment also depends on the application of correct breathing and swallowing. Estimates in the field are that up to 90% of orthodontic work relapses unless poor oral habits such as mouth breathing are addressed.
For more information or to book an orthodontic consultation, please contact our friendly team.
