San Francisco, Marin, and Oakland, CA
Many people breathe through their mouth without realizing it. Unless you’re dealing with nasal congestion or sinus trouble, you never should breathe through your mouth. Nasal breathing is the preferred method of receiving the optimum supply of oxygen. Find out from Glen Park Dental why nasal breathing is essential for your health. Plus, we provide four easy ways to stop mouth breathing.
Why Nasal Breathing is Essential
Most people pay little attention to how they breathe. But, nasal breathing is most beneficial for your health, and here is why.
- It increases oxygenation in your blood by inhaling more nitric oxide, which is a vasodilator and bronchodilator that increases oxygen transport throughout the body
- Warms, moistens and filters the air
- Traps particles in nose hairs and mucous membranes
- Helps reduce the likelihood of developing colds, flu, allergies, and irritating cough
- Prevents nasal dryness
- Helps relieve stress and calm the body as it slows breathing
- Promotes healthy digestion
- Promotes proper oral rest posture (tongue against the roof of the mouth, lips closed, and teeth together)
- Reduces the likelihood of orthodontic relapse
- Reduces risks of developing snoring or sleep apnea
Each of these factors benefits your overall health, which is especially helpful during the coronavirus pandemic. Proper digestion, getting enough quality sleep and oxygenation throughout your body contribute to a healthier immune system. If you breathe through your mouth, you’re missing out on these health benefits.
Four Ways to Correct Your Breathing
If you mouth breathe or see this behavior in your child, you should consult with an airway dentist in the Bay Area. Mouth breathing could cause serious health issues and adverse effects throughout your body. Try these tips to help you breathe nasally:
- Practice Makes Perfect: When you’re sitting around watching TV or reading, focus on your breathing. Intentionally keep your mouth closed and inhale and exhale through your nose.
- Clear Your Nasal Passages: A common reason people breathe through the mouth is because of blocked nasal passages. If you are dealing with hay fever, consider using over-the-counter allergy medication, and add a nasal spray if necessary, to relieve sinus congestion.
- Stress Reduction: Your stress levels might be on the rise right now during the coronavirus pandemic. Stress leads to unusual breathing patterns. Try to reduce stress by finding an activity that helps you feel relaxed, such as listening to music, reading a book, or soaking in the bathtub. As you relax, notice your breathing patterns change and focus on breathing through your nose as you inhale deeply.
- Visit An Expert: Mouth breathing may be caused by an orofacial myofunctional disorder (OMD), which develops because of a dysfunction in the muscles of the mouth and tongue. Common OMDs include tongue thrust, speech impediments, open mouth posture (mouth breathing), or dental malocclusion (overjet of upper teeth, or an open bite). At Glen Park Dental, we have years of experience treating OMDs that lead to mouth breathing through myofunctional therapy, which uses specific exercises to train the mouth and tongue to rest and function properly. Myofunctional therapy also encourages nasal breathing, properly swallowing patterns, and correct oral posture—with lips closed, teeth together, and tongue against the roof of the mouth. Our certified myofunctional therapist in the Bay Area works with patients to develop a treatment plan designed for their specific needs.
Myofunctional Therapy in San Francisco
To learn more about proper breathing techniques, schedule a consultation by calling Glen Park Dental at (415) 585-1500. We provide comprehensive and compassionate oral health care for patients in the areas of Marin, Oakland, and San Francisco, California.
