San Francisco and Marin CA
Did you know that a stuffy nose could affect what you see on the scale? Many people breathe through their mouth if they have a stuffy nose or a cold. However, if you frequently breathe through the mouth, you face an assortment of different health risks, including a greater likelihood of weight gain and obesity. So today on the blog, our airway dentists in Marin at Glen Park Dental explain the connection between a stuffy nose and weight gain.
There’s a right and a wrong way to breathe
Medical studies agree that the preferred way to breathe is nasally, meaning with your lips sealed, teeth together and the tongue resting along the roof of the mouth. Nasal breathing has many benefits for the body, like increasing blood oxygenation levels, which is good for your heart and brain. Breathing through the nose also helps lower blood pressure, balances your heart rate and warms the air before entering the airway, minimizing the effect on moisture levels in your mouth. Add up all these benefits, and nasal breathing is a win-win for your health!
Unfortunately, many people are mouth breathers, which poses significant health threats. Mouth breathing results in lower blood oxygen levels, which can be harmful for the body by increasing the risk of inflammation and hindering digestion. Mouth breathing also is notorious for causing dry mouth, which increases the risk of dental ailments like cavities and gum disease. Additionally, mouth breathing impacts sleep quality, which can lead to mood swings and cravings for carb-loaded snacks and sugar, which causes weight gain. Sleep quality is essential if you’re trying to lose weight and maintain your health.
How can the dentist help me breathe?
If you’re breathing through the mouth, then Glen Park Dental can help. We offer myofunctional therapy, which is like physical therapy for the mouth. It encourages the proper resting oral posture, with the tongue lightly against the roof of the mouth and lips and teeth closed, thus promoting nasal breathing. Our myofunctional therapist will work with you to determine the exact course of therapy needed for your case, which will help get you back on the right track for your health. Many of the myofunctional therapy exercises can be done at home, although we’ll have you come in from time to time to monitor your progress and ensure you’re keeping up with your therapy.
While maintaining a healthy weight or losing weight involves more than just how you breathe, we also recommend a healthy lifestyle by exercising daily, getting enough steps in your day, and eating a balanced diet. Additionally, you should also see the dentist twice a year for cleanings and checkups so that we can address dental problems as soon as they start.
Myofunctional Therapy in Marin and the Bay Area in California
If you’re a mouth breather or would like to learn more about myofunctional therapy in the Bay Area, please contact Glen Park Dental by calling (415) 585-1500 or visit our website to schedule a consultation. Myofunctional therapy is beneficial for children and adults. You’re never too old to correct your breathing habits!
