We all breathe but how we breathe matters more than most people realize. It’s something we do around 20,000 times a day, often without a second thought. But the pathway we use, whether through the nose or mouth, can have a big impact on everything from sleep and focus to jaw development, posture, and even emotional regulation.

Mouth breathing is common, especially during allergies, colds, or a stuffy nose. In the short term, it’s a helpful backup when nasal breathing isn’t possible. But when mouth breathing becomes the default especially during rest or sleep. It can quietly disrupt the body’s natural rhythms and contribute to a wide range of health concerns.

Chronic mouth breathing isn’t just a habit; it’s often a sign that something deeper is going on something that can affect oral health, facial development, speech, feeding, sleep, and even behavior in children.

In this blog, we'll explore the effects of mouth breathing, the importance of nasal breathing, and how myofunctional therapy can help correct dysfunctional breathing patterns for children and adults alike.

What Is Mouth Breathing?

Mouth breathing occurs when a person consistently inhales and exhales through the mouth instead of the nose. While it’s normal to breathe through the mouth during temporary congestion or vigorous physical activity, it becomes a concern when it’s the default pattern especially during rest and sleep.

The Importance of Nasal Breathing

Our bodies were designed for nasal breathing. The nose isn’t just a passage for air. It’s a powerful filter, humidifier, and temperature regulator. Nasal breathing supports healthy oxygen exchange, immune defense, and even optimal craniofacial development in children.

Here are just a few of the benefits of nasal breathing:

Filtered Air: Tiny hairs and mucus in the nose trap allergens, bacteria, and dust.
Optimal Oxygen Levels: Nitric oxide produced in the sinuses helps improve oxygen absorption in the lungs.
Moisturized Breathing: The nasal passages humidify the air, preventing dryness in the throat and airways.
Facial Development: Proper tongue posture and nasal breathing help guide the growth of the jaw, palate, and facial bones.

When nasal breathing is disrupted, the body compensates often through chronic mouth breathing. And that’s when problems can begin.

Why Chronic Mouth Breathing Is a Problem

At first glance, breathing through the mouth may not seem like a big deal. But over time, it can lead to a range of physical, developmental, and emotional challenges. Let’s break down the effects of mouth breathing across different areas of health:

1. Oral and Dental Health

Mouth breathing dries out the mouth, reducing saliva production. Saliva plays a critical role in neutralizing acids, protecting enamel, and washing away bacteria.

Common effects:

Bad breath
Cavities and gum disease
Narrowed dental arches
Crooked or crowded teeth

2. Facial and Jaw Development in Children

Chronic mouth breathing in early childhood can significantly affect how a child’s face and jaw develop. Without the tongue resting on the roof of the mouth and nasal breathing guiding proper growth, the face can become longer and narrower.

Possible outcomes:

Receded chin or underdeveloped jaw
Narrow palate
High-arched palate affecting sinus drainage
Changes in facial symmetry

3. Sleep and Behavior

Mouth breathing, especially during sleep, is linked to poor sleep quality and sleep-disordered breathing—including snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. In children, this can sometimes look like hyperactivity or attention issues.

Signs to watch for:

Snoring or noisy breathing at night
Tossing and turning during sleep
Waking up tired despite a full night’s rest
Daytime fatigue, mood swings, or difficulty focusing

4. Posture and Body Function

Mouth breathing can also affect the rest of the body. When the tongue isn’t in the correct resting posture, the entire head and neck posture shifts. Over time, this can lead to:

Forward head posture
Neck and shoulder tension
Improper body mechanics in movement and speech

5. Speech and Feeding Challenges

Many children who mouth breathe also struggle with oral-motor coordination. This may show up as:

Lisping or speech sound delays
Difficulty chewing or swallowing
Picky eating or texture aversions

What Causes Mouth Breathing?

Mouth breathing can be caused by a variety of factors. Often, it’s a combination of structural and functional issues:

Allergies or chronic nasal congestion
Enlarged adenoids or tonsils
Deviated nasal septum
Tongue tie or oral restrictions
Low tongue posture or weak oral muscles
Habitual patterns formed during infancy or toddlerhood

If your child had colic, reflux, or feeding difficulties as a baby, they may have adopted mouth breathing early on without anyone realizing it. These habits can persist long after the original cause has resolved.

How Myofunctional Therapy Can Help

This is where myofunctional therapy comes in. Myofunctional therapy is a specialized approach that helps retrain the muscles of the face, mouth, and tongue to function in harmony.

It addresses the root causes of dysfunctional breathing and supports:

Nasal breathing retraining
Proper tongue posture
Oral rest posture (lips closed, tongue up, teeth lightly together)
Correct chewing and swallowing
Improved coordination for speech and feeding

Through guided exercises and collaboration with other professionals (such as ENTs, orthodontists, or speech therapists), myofunctional therapy empowers both kids and adults to breathe, sleep, and function better.

When to Seek Help

It’s never too early, or too late, to address mouth breathing. If you notice any of the following signs in yourself or your child, it may be time to consult with a myofunctional therapist:

Lips are almost always open at rest
Snoring or mouth breathing during sleep
Visible struggle to chew or swallow food
Persistent speech sound challenges
Forward head posture or long-face appearance
Enlarged tonsils, adenoids, or narrow palate
Frequent congestion despite no current illness

Early intervention can prevent long-term consequences and support whole-body wellness.

What a Myofunctional Therapy Program Looks Like

Each program is personalized, but typically includes:

✅ A detailed intake and functional assessment
✅ Collaboration with your medical or dental providers
✅ Exercises to strengthen tongue, lips, and facial muscles
✅ Support for consistent nasal breathing
✅ Integration with feeding therapy, speech therapy, or orthodontic care if needed

Sessions can often be done virtually or in-person and typically span several months, depending on the age and complexity of the case.

Breathing Better Starts Now

Mouth breathing is a signal. It tells us something deeper is going on with the way the body functions, grows, or regulates. Left unchecked, it can contribute to sleep issues, feeding struggles, speech delays, and even facial structure changes.

But here’s the good news: the brain and body can change. With the right support, most children and adults can relearn how to breathe through the nose, rest the tongue in the right place, and unlock better health from the inside out.

Whether you’re a parent worried about your child’s development or an adult finally connecting the dots about your own symptoms, myofunctional therapy is a powerful first step toward lasting change.

If you suspect mouth breathing is affecting you or your child, book a free consultation to learn how myofunctional therapy can help.

Mouth Breathing Effects and How Myofunctional Therapy Can Help