Growth and Development
Children who mouth breathe are more likely to develop
malocclusion (crowded teeth), facial differences and sleep disorders.
Mouth Breathing Affects Growth and Development
In developing children, dental arches grow in response to the pressure of the tongue pushing up and out and the lips and cheeks pulling in. The tongue acts like scaffolding to the developing arches.
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When kiddos breathe through their mouths their tongue sits low in their mouths leaving the pressure of the lips and cheeks pulling in without the counter pressure of the tongue pushing out.
If this happens for a significant amount of time, such as 10-12hrs every night, dental arches don't grow to the size they otherwise could have if the tongue had been in the roof of the mouth.
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As a result:
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teeth erupt crowded
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The adult sized tongue won't have room in the mouth thus leading to sleep disordered breathing
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Long term consequences such as TMJ can result
Research & Resources
Pediatric Sleep Disordered Breathing and Maxillofacial Development with Soroush Zaghi
- This is an incredibly informative presentation about growth and development of children and the long term implications of their health.
Myofunctional Therapy's Role
During the Functional Evaluation we will evaluate whether there is a
legitimate obstruction or restriction that has been leading to mouth breathing.
If there is we will discuss seeing a preferred provider to address the issue.
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If breathing through the mouth is a habit we will begin working on
nasal hygiene and exercises to retrain the muscles to stay closed at rest.