Seeing your child breathe through their mouth, whether during the day or while they sleep, can raise important questions. Many parents see the same thing and wonder if mouth breathing in children is just a harmless habit or something they should be concerned about.
It’s natural to ask why and to feel unsure about what it means for their health. The truth is, while occasional mouth breathing can be normal, ongoing patterns in children can affect their health.
In this guide, we’ll explore the most common reasons kids breathe through their mouths, the effects it can have, and how to correct mouth breathing in children with simple, effective steps.
What is Mouth Breathing in Children?
Mouth breathing happens when a child regularly relies on the mouth instead of the nose for regular breathing. While it is normal during a cold or allergy flare‑up, it should not become the default way of breathing.
Parents often wonder if mouth breathing is normal for a toddler. The answer is that it may happen occasionally, but it should not be a constant occurrence. Studies estimate that anywhere from 7 to 60 percent of children rely on mouth breathing regularly.
Babies are naturally nasal breathers, and the body is designed to use the nose for breathing. If a toddler or older child is consistently breathing through the mouth, it usually points to an underlying issue.
Parents often notice it first at night. A child may sleep with their mouth open, snore, or wake up restless. Others spot it during the day when their child sits with lips apart or breathes audibly through the mouth.
Causes of Mouth Breathing in Kids
So why does a child start breathing through the mouth instead of the nose? The reasons for mouth breathing in kids usually fall into two groups: obstruction and habit.
Obstructive Causes
- Nasal congestion from allergies, colds, or sinus infections. Studies show children with blocked noses are several times more likely to develop persistent mouth breathing.
- Enlarged tonsils or adenoids can physically block airflow at the back of the throat. This is one of the most common reasons for mouth breathing in children.
- Structural differences, such as a deviated septum or a high, narrow palate, can make nasal breathing more difficult.
Habitual Causes
Even when the obstruction is not present, some children continue to breathe through their mouths out of habit. This is especially common after years of congestion or enlarged adenoids. Without retraining, the body simply defaults to the easier pattern.
Other contributing factors include asthma, thumb sucking, excessive pacifier or bottle use, tongue-tie, and even environmental influences like overheated bedrooms. One study found that each year of pacifier use increases the likelihood of mouth breathing by 25 percent.
Why Mouth Breathing is Harmful for Kids
So why is mouth breathing harmful for children? The dangers go far beyond a dry mouth or snoring. Researchers have studied this for decades, and the evidence is clear: chronic mouth breathing impacts health, behavior, and development.
Leads to poor sleep
Children who breathe through the mouth often take in less oxygen. This leads to poor-quality sleep, daytime fatigue, and sometimes sleep-disordered breathing.
Studies show that snoring and mouth breathing in children are early warning signs of obstructive sleep apnea. No child should snore, and when they do, it is often a signal of airway obstruction.
Affects oral and dental health
Kids who are mouth breathers, obviously are more prone to tooth decay, gum disease, and misaligned bites. Dry air reduces the protective properties of saliva, allowing bacteria to thrive.
Research in the European Journal of Pediatric Dentistry found that mouth breathing is strongly linked with early signs of malocclusion in preschoolers.
Impact facial development
A younger child who habitually mouth breathes often develops a long, narrow face, a high palate, and a recessed jaw. This was first proven in the 1970s by orthodontist Egil Harvold, who showed that baby monkeys forced to mouth breathe developed long faces and crooked teeth.
Later studies confirmed the same in humans. These changes are visible in before-and-after cases, where early treatment can completely transform facial growth.
May lead to behavioral and cognitive impacts
Poor sleep from mouth breathing often leads to irritability, lack of focus, and hyperactivity.
A 2012 study by Karen Bonuck found that children with mouth breathing, snoring, or sleep apnea at 6 to 30 months were significantly more likely to develop behavioral and learning difficulties by age 7.
When mouth breathing is linked to structural problems in the nose or airway, medical treatment may be necessary to restore clear breathing. However, just as important as opening the airway is helping children avoid mouth breathing and re‑establish healthy nasal breathing habits. How can you do that?
How to Prevent and Help Children Overcome Mouth Breathing
There are clear steps parents can take to guide children back to healthy nasal breathing and correct their mouth breathing habits. Below are some helpful tips:
1. Start by identifying the cause
The first step is figuring out why your child prefers to breathe through the mouth.
- Nasal congestion is one of the most common culprits. Allergies, colds, or even certain foods can leave a child’s nose blocked. Some parents notice their child gets stuffy after eating dairy or wheat.
- Enlarged tonsils or adenoids can also block airflow and are a frequent reason toddlers and school‑age children develop this habit.
- Daily posture and habits matter too. If your child’s lips are apart more than half the time, it’s worth paying attention.
Dr. Christian Guilleminault, a leading sleep expert, emphasized that restoring nasal breathing is the most effective way to correct sleep‑disordered breathing in children, which often begins with mouth breathing and snoring.
2. Seek medical support when needed
If you’re unsure of the cause, start by checking in with your pediatrician. They may refer you to an ENT or pediatric dentist who can evaluate your child’s airway, jaw, and breathing patterns.
In some cases, treatment may involve addressing enlarged tonsils, correcting a deviated septum, or widening a narrow palate. These steps not only improve sleep but also make it easier for your child to return to natural nasal breathing.
3. Support healthy breathing at home
Sometimes, simple changes at home can make a big difference in your kid’s breathing habits. Some ways you can do that are by:
- Keep bedrooms cool and well‑ventilated
- Use a humidifier if the air is dry, especially in winter.
- Encourage outdoor play and gently remind your child to keep lips together during the day.
- Practice nasal hygiene with saline sprays or rinses to help keep the nose clear.
- Lead by example. Children copy their parents’ breathing habits. If you breathe with your mouth open, they’re more likely to do the same.
These strategies are especially useful for younger children and toddlers who may not yet be able to do breathing exercises on their own.
4. Try myofunctional therapy
One of the most effective long‑term ways to correct mouth breathing in children is through myofunctional therapy.
These are simple, playful exercises that strengthen the tongue, lips, and facial muscles, teaching kids to keep the tongue in the right resting position and breathe through the nose.
A myofunctional therapist or pediatric dentist can guide this process.
5. Motivate your child to breathe nasally
Children are more likely to change when they understand the benefits of doing so. Instead of focusing on the negatives, explain that:
- Breathing through the nose helps them have more energy for sports and play.
- It improves focus and learning at school by giving the brain more oxygen.
- It keeps their teeth healthier and their breath fresher.
- It even helps their face develop a strong and balanced appearance.
When kids see nasal breathing as something that makes them stronger, smarter, and healthier, they’re more motivated to practice it.
6. Teach them simple breathing exercises
Breathing exercises are a gentle way to retrain children to use their nose instead of their mouths. They reduce congestion, calm the body, and help kids become more aware of healthy breathing. The key is to keep them playful and age‑appropriate so children enjoy the practice.
The Buteyko Clinic International offers free kid‑friendly exercises through their breathing app, including:
- Nose Unblocking Exercise – clears a stuffy nose naturally.
- Steps Exercise – light breath‑holding while walking to build stamina.
- Breathing for Sports – keeps kids calm and nasal‑breathing during activity.
- Diaphragm (Tortoise) Breathing – teaches slow, deep belly breathing.
- Breath Recovery Exercise – helps settle breathing after exertion.
For younger children, keep it fun. For example, ask them to blow softly on their finger to feel the difference between “big breathing” and “quiet breathing.” These small games make nasal breathing feel natural and easy.
7. Use MyoTape for extra support
For many families, MyoTape is a helpful support tool to gently encourage nasal breathing in kids. Unlike traditional tape, it doesn’t cover the lips completely; instead, it surrounds them, reminding the lips to stay together while still allowing the mouth to open if needed.
- At night: MyoTape can reduce snoring, dry mouth, and restless sleep by supporting nasal breathing.
- During the day: It can also be used while kids are watching TV, reading, or doing homework. This helps build awareness and retrains the body to favor nasal breathing.
Children under the age of 4 should not use MyoTape. You can read our guide on how to make mouth taping safe for kids.
Correcting this pattern is a journey, but with patience and the right support, you can help your child breathe better, sleep better, and feel better.
Get MyoTape to Support Your Child’s Healthy Breathing
Healthy nasal breathing is the foundation for better sleep, sharper focus, and balanced growth. If your child struggles with mouth breathing, MyoTape for kids can be the gentle tool that helps them make the switch.
Created by breathing expert Patrick McKeown and designed specifically for children, MyoTape works by encouraging the lips to stay together without sealing the mouth.
This means your child can still open their mouth if needed, while naturally learning to breathe through the nose. It’s safe, hypoallergenic, comfortable, and easy to remove, making it a parent‑friendly solution for both day and night use.
Check out MyoTape shop today and see other available products.
