Have you ever seen your child with his or her mouth slightly open when sleeping? You might think it’s no concern, but habitual mouth breathing in children is a sign of an underlying problem that can negatively impact their oral health and development.

We often overlook mouth breathing as a simple habit. Of course, sometimes (due to nasal obstruction), mouth breathing is completely normal for a while. But, did you know? If left untreated, chronic mouth breathing can lead to:

• Severe dental issues
• Developmental problems
• Oral health
• Facial development issues

And more health issues. In this article, we will discuss how mouth breathing affects tooth growth, the risks involved, and the importance of early identification and treatment.

What is mouth breathing?

Think of the nose as a built-in humidifier and air cleaner for the body. When a child is breathing through the nose, the air is warmed, dust and allergen-filtered, and humidified before it reaches the lungs. Mouth breathing bypasses this vital process.

Mouth breathing occurs when a child consistently breathes through the mouth instead of the nose. This may be due to many causes:

• Nasal obstruction caused by allergies
• Inflamed adenoids or tonsils
• Other upper airway obstructions

How mouth breathing affects your child’s health

Let’s take a look at the effects of chronic mouth breathing:

Dental and orthodontic issues

One of the most worrying effects of chronic mouth breathing in children is its impact on dental occlusion. This malocclusion is primarily caused by two factors: a disruption of the muscle balance around the mouth and the incorrect resting position of the tongue. When the tongue is not in the right place, dental arch development might be incomplete.

The habit of open mouth posture disrupts the existing muscle balance around the mouth and the position of the tongue, which is essential for dental arch development. This imbalance can cause:

• Narrowing of the upper jaw: Also called maxillary constriction, which causes crowding of the teeth.
• Rotation of the mandible: Backward or downward rotation of the mandible, resulting in a receding chin and crooked bite.
• Malocclusions: Increased incidence of malocclusions.

Mouth-breathing children are much more prone to malocclusions than nasally breathing children. Mouth-breathing orthodontic issues generally require repair treatment.

Impact on facial growth

Mouth breathing, besides affecting teeth, also alters the pattern of facial growth. Nasal airflow obstruction and frequent open-mouth posture can trigger:

• Long, thin faces with sunken cheeks.
• Hanging eyelids or a tired appearance.
• Small or receding chin.
• Palate alterations affect speech and the ability to swallow.

All of these features are referred to together as “adenoid facies,” which is typically related to chronic nasal obstruction with mouth breathing in childhood. The earliest treatment of mouth breathing will avoid or even reverse some of them.

Oral health implications of mouth breathing

Mouth breathing also leads to drying of the oral cavity as the air flow out of the mouth evaporates saliva, which otherwise lubricates teeth and gums. Reduced saliva secretion compromises oral defense mechanisms and encourages:

• Cavities: Because of an acidic oral environment and plaque accumulation.
• Gingivitis and periodontal disease: Because of increased plaque and dry gums.
• Halitosis (bad breath): Due to bacterial growth in a dry mouth.

Saliva is also necessary for maintaining a proper balance of oral pH, neutralizing acid that causes cavities. Mouth breathing essentially takes away this protective defense, creating an environment in which aggressive bacteria thrive.

Other connected health issues

In addition to dental and facial consequences, mouth breathing in children is also associated with other health issues, such as:

• Sleep-disordered breathing with increased risk of obstructive sleep apnea.
• Restless sleep, daytime fatigue, irritability, and poor concentration.
• Speech impairment due to an altered oral posture employed for the production of sounds.

Early intervention in mouth breathing can therefore have beneficial effects over broader fields than oral health alone.

What are the causes of mouth breathing in children?

The most frequent reason for chronic mouth breathing in children is upper airway obstruction. Significant causes include:

• Enlargement of adenoids and tonsils
• Allergic rhinitis, which causes nasal obstruction
• Problems in the nose (like a deviated septum, nasal polyps)
• Chronic sinusitis

These obstructive forces reduce nasal breathing and result in children acquiring mouth breathing habits that may persist even after correction of the obstruction.

How to detect mouth breathing?

Early detection of mouth breathing is also crucial to prevent long-term dental and developmental problems. Pediatricians, dentists, and orthodontists can screen for the signs during visits. However, parents also need to detect some easy telltale signs and symptoms that indicate a child is a habitual mouth breather. These include:

• Habitual open-mouth posture: Frequent open-mouth posture even during wakefulness or rest, since the mouth naturally can remain slightly ajar due to nasal airway blockage or habit.
• Snoring or noisy breathing during sleep: Snoring or noisy breathing could indicate nasal obstruction or sleep-disordered breathing.
• Dry mouth: Dry lips or mouth upon waking, since mouth breathing dries oral tissues by reducing salivary output.
• Perpetual halitosis: Repeated bad breath due to dry mouth and bacterial buildup.
• Crowding, open bites, or malaligned teeth: Crowded teeth, turned teeth, open bites, or visible shifts in teeth position can occur.
• Appearance of face after altered growth: Alterations in facial appearance, also referred to as “adenoid face,” with a slender, long face, sagging eyelids, or diminished chin due to altered facial growth.
• Behavioral symptoms: Some behavioral symptoms, such as drowsiness during the daytime, inattentiveness, irritability, or hyperactivity, may suggest mouth breathing (though these may or may not be related to it).

If you notice these signs in your child, you can have a pediatrician, pediatric dentist, or specialist investigate. You can also observe your kids at play and at rest for repetitive habits of using the mouth rather than the nose.

Early intervention

Interventions are determined by cause but often include:

• Medical treatment of nasal infection or allergy.
• Surgical removal of adenoids or tonsils if necessary.
• Myofunctional therapy (a series of exercises to retrain the proper tongue, lip, and jaw muscle position).
• Early intervention to direct proper jaw and tooth development.

Successful treatment can improve breathing, restore oral function, and promote normal facial growth.

The bottom line: Mouth breathing needs intervention

Mouth breathing in children is more than a simple habit; it is a serious problem that has ramifications for dental health, facial development, and general health.

Habitual mouth breathing disrupts the normal oral environment and craniofacial development, leading to malocclusions, increased risk for cavities, dry mouth issues, and facial developmental changes. These reasons are why early intervention by a multidisciplinary team is critical to avoid the consequences and foster normal growth patterns.

Don’t wait. If you notice any of these signs in your child, schedule an appointment with a pediatric dentist or a pediatrician. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent a lifetime of dental, facial, and overall health issues. Take action today to protect your child’s smile and health.

Sources:

• National Library of Medicine: The impact of mouth breathing on dentofacial development: A concise review
• Dental health, halitosis, and mouth breathing in 10-to-15-year-old children: A potential connection

The post Mouth breathing in children: A hidden danger to oral health appeared first on Utah Pediatric Dentists.

We live in a world of thousands of diverse cultures and different languages. Manmade borders separate our lands. Most importantly, we have differing forms of governance, ways of life, and healthcare that, although practiced in an array of ways around the world, universally aim to help cure the sick and improve our overall well-being.

When it comes to children’s dental care, we may see some practices that pass down from generation to generation, such as some rural communities that rely on using twigs from specific trees to pick their children’s teeth, to those more modern who have adopted electrical toothbrushes to achieve their glimmering smile.

This article explores the different cultural practices and beliefs surrounding children’s dental health and hygiene globally, beginning with Asia, Africa, South America, and North America, and ending with Europe.

Asia

In Southeast Asia, we can see the tradition of ‘oil pulling’. This is a traditional folk remedy practiced in ancient India. When practiced regularly, this ancient practice is believed to cure more than thirty systemic diseases. For those who experience side effects from modern medicines and oral hygiene products, oil pulling is an attractive substitute. It can also have positive effects on overall health.

How to apply oil pulling in children?

In children, a teaspoon of oil is ‘pulled’ and forced between all the teeth by swishing it all around the mouth before breakfast on an empty stomach. Parents need to ensure that the child does not swallow the oil or spit it down the drain, where it will clog the pipes.

For some areas where children suffer from oral ulcers and brushing is difficult, oil pulling may be an advantageous substitute. Traditionally, sesame oil is the preferred oil.

Would you try oil pulling as part of your child’s daily dental routine?

Miswak Stick

A Miswak stick is also a cleaning method in Asian, African, Islamic, and Arabian cultures. The end is often chewed on to remove plaque, bacteria, and food debris from the teeth. Dental professionals consider these sticks to be of interest as they contain properties positive for oral health. However, most dentists consider them a supplement and not a replacement for modern oral care methods.

Africa

Africa also applies the Miswak stick. This method is popular for cleaning plaque and improving overall oral hygiene, particularly in North and East Africa. Most people know it for its natural fluoride content and antimicrobial properties. However, oral health is a major public health issue in West Africa, with almost no solutions provided by the government.

How are adolescents affected in Africa?

In most African countries, adolescence, a key period marked by biological, emotional, and social evolution and development, represents a critical period to influence adult oral health.

In West Africa, the adolescent population is disproportionately affected by oral disorders such as gum disease and tooth decay compared to the rest of the world. These issues manifest from the lack of available services, treatment availability, insurance coverage, and oral health knowledge and practices. To combat this, the local regions must improve oral health knowledge, early childhood nutrition, and better social and cultural conditions.

The phrase “it takes a village to raise a child” stems from Africa, where community-led child rearing is a known practice. In some African cultures, groups gather together to brush their teeth. This not only promotes good dental hygiene but also strengthens community bonds.

The next time you want your child to brush their teeth, maybe you can make it a family activity and gather together in front of the bathroom mirror before bed! This may combine your family’s overall oral health and social well-being.

Americas

We see a different approach from South America and North America, given the different cultural approaches each part of the continent has.

South America

In South America, we can see a rich history of health practices derived from indigenous tradition and Western dentistry. Indigenous communities often look to natural resources such as the coca leaf, which can numb the gums and offer pain relief. However, due to its stimulating effect, the coca leaf is not appropriate for children’s oral and overall health. Chamomile tea and guava leaves can produce tea that can alleviate toothaches, which could be a healthy and natural substitute for over-the-counter medicine for your child.

North America

In North America, Western dentistry practices are the most popular form of treatment. However, there has been an uptake in more natural remedies and oral healthcare treatments in recent years. For example, many orthodontic centres have started offering therapy dogs as a company for kids and young patients who suffer from anxiety when visiting the dentist. Perhaps the next time you visit your family dentist, you can settle your child’s nerves with a fluffy friend to make sure that you are all smiling from the moment your child sits in the dental chair, to the moment you leave.

Europe

In modern dental practices across Europe, one can find the latest in dental treatments and technologies, from 3D imaging for precision diagnostics to advanced materials for fillings and prosthetics. However, due to the high costs of European practitioners, many Europeans from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the UK travel to Serbia and Spain for treatments that would otherwise cost two to three times more in their home countries. As dentists are often trained in Germany, the UK, and the US, Serbia and Spain can offer high international standards of orthodontic care while offering lower costs. 

Similarly, Poland is a favourite among UK and Scandinavian patients, offering 50-70% off home prices. High treatment and poorly implemented health coverage for the child population mean that large swathes of the European population are at risk of long-lasting negative impacts on oral and overall health. As a result, dental tourism has become more popular in recent years.

Natural remedies in Europe

Natural remedies are also present in Europe, particularly in Eastern European countries, where herbal rinses such as sage and mint have been passed down from generation to generation. In Europe, dental professionals advocate for a balanced approach between modern and traditional practices.

Different approaches affect the way we care for kids’ teeth

Despite the tremendous differences in ways of life across the globe, the universal objective of all forms of healthcare is to alleviate sickness and improve overall quality of life. Methods used in Asia, Africa, the Americas, and Europe can be incorporated into your child’s dental routine to ensure they keep smiling for years to come. However, never forget to brush their teeth!

Sources:

• National Library of Medicine: Oil Pulling for Maintaining Oral Hygiene
• DentistsRanked: Oral Health Around the World: Different Practices and Beliefs
• National Library of Medicine: Oral health of adolescents in West Africa: prioritizing its social determinants

The post Cultural Approaches to Children’s Dental Care Around the World appeared first on Utah Pediatric Dentists.