Mouth breathing usually occurs when the nose is blocked or during intensive workout routines. Mouth breathing through other parts of the day can cause several dental problems. It is much better to get an appointment with the nearest reputed dental clinic if you have always unconsciously been breathing all day through your mouth.
Look out for a reputed Peshtigo and Marinette family dentist to better understand your mouth breathing problem before it can induce various oral health consequences. Keep reading as we present the various effects of mouth breathing and the potential ways you can follow to prevent its occurrence.
Drastic Effects of Mouth Breathing On Dental Health
Even though mouth breathing does not seem to do any harm at first, it brings drastic effects on oral health. The following are some of the problems of oral health that may occur due to constant mouth breathing.
Dry Mouth Condition
The immediate consequence you can experience out of mouth breathing is a dry mouth condition, also known as xerostomia. By rightly neutralizing acids, halting tooth decay, and removing potential debris, saliva plays a major role in preserving your oral health intact. Dry mouth conditions are breeding grounds for bacteria that can further lead to cavities and gum disease.
Gum Disease
Since mouth-breathers always have dry mouths throughout the day, the bacterial formation that results from this causes gum disease, such as periodontitis and gingivitis. Gum disease can result in gum recession, irregular tooth mobility, and even tooth loss if left untreated for days.
Bad Breath
Dryness found in your mouth areas can be the cause of a chronic disease called bad breath. When you face your routine, this bad breath will surely be your last desire. Not to mention, it also lowers your self-confidence levels.
Tooth Decay
When saliva production is reduced, tooth decay occurs. This happens because enamel is left out, and saliva cannot protect it, properly neutralize acids, or remove food particles.
Orthodontic Problems
Narrow palates, open bites, and malocclusions are very few orthodontic problems that can occur due to constant mouth breathing. All such conditions require orthodontic treatment for correction. Never ignore such conditions because they can affect your oral health and harm your overall health.
Bruxism
The bruxism condition allows the jaw to shift forward, opening a pathway to the outer air’s entry into your body. This kind of sliding between the lower and upper jaw shall lead to abrasive grinding activities happening on the surfaces of your teeth.
Further causing a loss of tooth structure, this airway-related bruxism leads to cracks in teeth, poor mobility, early loss of teeth, bone loss, or pain. The symptoms can be reduced by wearing a custom mouth guard as your dentist prescribes. Hence, visit your dentist as soon as possible because such a condition can cause trouble breathing and lead to various health consequences.
Cracked or Chapped Lips
An open mouth causes drooling while sleeping or awake, leading to chapped lips. To prevent such adverse effects of breathing through the mouth, keep your mouth clean by brushing your teeth twice a day. Flossing helps remove plaque formation and cavity-forming bacteria.
As your dentist advises, wearing chin straps or mouth guards helps avoid facing potential oral-health-related issues. Do not undermine mouth breathing because it has various consequences for oral health. Visit a dentist and discuss, understand, and follow the right set of techniques that will ensure your mouth breathing never worsens.
