Straight Teeth in Less Time

Is Your Child A Mouth-Breather? Could This Be Bad?

25 August 2015

Lois Murray

Is your child a mouth-breather? Mouth-breathing is a habit that can be difficult to break and a sign that there is something wrong with your child's nasal and respiratory systems. So, why does your child breathe through his or her mouth? How could this be bad and what could this be a symptom of? Below, you will find the answer to all three of these questions.

Why does your child breathe through his or her mouth?

Children who breathe through their mouths all of the time could have one of several problems, including:

• Obesity
• Over-sized tonsils
• Allergies
• Sleep apnea
• Narrow airways
• Dental issue/s

Why could this be bad for your child?          

There is a long list of possible effects of untreated mouth-breathing, including:

• Abnormal facial development
• Abnormal dental development
• Poor sleeping habits
• Difficulty in school
• Possible ADD or ADHD misdiagnosis
• Heart and blood pressure problems
• Excessive dry mouth leading to dental decay

What can be done to treat your child's mouth-breathing?

Start with a trip to the dentist for a thorough exam. The dentist will look for the cause of the mouth-breathing and look for any damage that may already have occurred. If the cause is diagnosed as a dental issue, like a narrow mouth, an expansion appliance will be used.

If the dentist rules out dental problems causing the mouth-breathing, he or she will then refer you to an ear, nose and throat specialist or an orthodontist. If the cause is diagnosed to be oversized tonsils, it is possible that surgery could be necessary to remove the tonsils. It is key to diagnose the specific disorder that your child suffers from.

In the meantime, do your best to keep your child drinking water steadily through the day and taking good care of his or her teeth. This will help to decrease the dry mouth and prevent decay from occurring.

If the problem is diagnosed to be caused by your child's weight, your child may be referred to a dietitian to help create a healthy diet to help your child drop a few pounds and reach a healthy weight. Once the excess weight is lost, your child may no longer have issues with mouth-breathing.

This is one of those conditions that take parents by surprise. Although it may not appear to be a serious problem, it could result in relatively serious side effects. Talk with your child's dentist to find a treatment before serious issues arise.

For more information on children and oral health, contact a practice like Alaska Dentistry For Kids.

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