If you’re a mouth breather, you are not alone. For a vast majority of Americans, mouth breathing is normal with many not knowing the negative effects that come when doing it. These include but aren’t limited to bad breath, misaligned teeth, and a dry mouth with the least well known symptom being that it changes face shape. Below, we delve into the hows and whys of this phenomenon.

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Can mouth breathing be corrected?

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Before we answer this, let’s look at some of the causes of mouth breathing.

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Common mouth breathing is a result of: 

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• The size and shape of the jaw
• A blocked nose
• A deviated septum
• A small nose

Alongside those are long-term effects including crooked teeth, problems sleeping, lack of energy, and much more. Mouth breathing can be corrected though. Adults and children can both be treated, with it being imperative to identify the problem in children early on to prevent habit.

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Can mouth breathing shape your face?

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Mouth breathing can play a big role in the facial development of both adults and children. When breathing  constantly through your mouth, you can develop what is called a “mouth-breathing face.” The main features of a “mouth breathing face” are a gummy smile, flat nose, receded chin, and narrow face. However, nose breathing allows the face to develop normally.

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How to address issues caused my mouth breathing 

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To address the issue at hand, you will want to figure out why you're breathing through your mouth. Is it enlarged tonsils? A deviated septum? At American Sinus Institute, we will be able to help you exhale easier, sleep better, and stand straighter by figuring out the root of your problem.

If you suffer from no sleep, poor posture, or trouble breathing through your nose, Septoplasty might be the solution you’ve been looking for. This procedure is a specialty of the American Sinus Institute, serving patients in San Antonio and throughout Texas. Contact our board-certified physicians in Otolaryngology to find out how Septoplasty can help relieve your problems.