Studies have shown that mouth breathing can significantly affect facial development in children. When children breathe through their mouths instead of their noses, it can lead to various dental and facial growth issues. This topic has been the focus of numerous research studies, highlighting the importance of proper breathing patterns for healthy facial development.
A study involving 47 children aged 6-15 years examined the effects of mouth breathing versus nose breathing on facial development (Baumann et al., 1996). The researchers aimed to understand how mouth breathing influences the growth and morphology of the face. By using various methods such as nasal endoscopy, rhinomanometry, and cephalometric radiographs, they gathered comprehensive data on the children’s breathing modes and facial structures.
Key Findings from the Study
- The study found that children who predominantly breathed through their mouths tended to have longer facial structures compared to those who breathed through their noses.
- Mouth breathing was strongly correlated with abnormal orofacial growth. Specifically, children who breathed through their mouths exhibited vertical growth patterns, such as a longer face and more pronounced jaw angles. These differences were particularly evident in children up to the age of 9 years.
Another significant study by Harari et al. (2010) reviewed clinical variables and cephalometric parameters of 116 pediatric patients who had undergone orthodontic treatment. The study group included 55 pediatric patients who suffered from symptoms and signs of nasal obstruction (mouth breathers), and the control group included 61 patients who were normal nasal breathers.
The results from the study concluded that mouth breathing in children leads to significant dental and facial issues, including backward and downward rotation of the jaw, increased overjet, and narrower dental arches, as well as disproportionate increases in facial height dimensions.
Finally, research by Torre and Guilleminault (2018) recommended nasal breathing is an effective way to ensure adequate facial and airway development in children.
What Does This Mean?
The implications of these studies are profound for the dental and overall health of children. Mouth breathing, as opposed to nasal breathing, can lead to significant changes in facial structure and dental alignment. Mouth breathing causes the tongue to rest lower in the mouth rather than against the palate. This unnatural tongue position fails to provide the necessary pressure to shape the dental arches properly.
Consequently, children who mouth-breathe tend to develop narrower dental arches and experience backward and downward rotation of the jaw. This misalignment can lead to increased overjet, where the upper front teeth protrude further than the lower front teeth.
The studies highlighted that mouth-breathing children often develop a longer facial structure, characterized by vertical growth patterns. This means their faces grow longer and narrower, with more pronounced jaw angle.
Understanding these impacts is crucial for parents and caregivers. Early intervention can prevent or mitigate many of these issues. Encouraging children to breathe through their noses can promote healthier facial development and reduce the need for extensive orthodontic treatments later in life.
Simple breathing exercises can help children switch from mouth breathing to nose breathing. Dr. Patrick McKeown, a celebrated respiratory health expert, offers a free online breathing training for children, which can be an excellent resource for parents. Furthermore, it is worthwhile to explore our innovative MyoTape for kids. A safe mouth taping product for kids, also created by Dr. Patrick, which enables children to breathe nasally by training them safely.
References:
Baumann I, Plinkert PK. Der Einfluss von Atemmodus und Nasenventilation auf das Gesichtsschädelwachstum [Effect of breathing mode and nose ventilation on growth of the facial bones]. HNO. 1996 May;44(5):229-34. German. PMID: 8707626. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8707626/
Torre C, Guilleminault C. Establishment of nasal breathing should be the ultimate goal to secure adequate craniofacial and airway development in children. J Pediatr (Rio J). 2018;94:101—3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28859912/
Harari D, Redlich M, Miri S, Hamud T, Gross M.The effect of mouth breathing versus nasal breathing on dentofacial and craniofacial development in orthodontic patients.Laryngoscope 2010;120:2089–2093. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20824738/
