The Impact of Mouth Breathing on Children’s Dental Health and Facial Development
- Yellow Pages Admin
- Jun 10
- 1 min read
Did you know that the way we breathe can have a major effect on the development of our face? For children, especially, their breathing habits can influence jaw growth, teeth alignment, and overall facial structure.
When we breathe through our noses, the tongue naturally rests against the roof of the mouth. This tongue posture is crucial for shaping the jaws and promoting proper facial development. The pressure the tongue applies while swallowing—up to 500g per swallow, repeated about 2,000 times a day—helps expand the upper jaw, creating a broad, U-shaped structure that comfortably accommodates all the teeth.
However, when children consistently breathe through their mouths, several things happen:
● The tongue drops to the floor of the mouth, failing to guide proper jaw growth.
● The upper jaw develops into a narrow, V-shape.
● This leads to a longer face, crowded teeth, and even reduced airway size.