Breathing through your mouth? ENT surgeons share the major health risks: From gum problems to sore throats

Breathing is largely involuntary, and one rarely gives it much thought. But if you are breathing wrongly then you need to change it consciously. Mouth breathing, in particular, where you inhale and exhale through open lips, can have wide-ranging health consequences.

Also read: Pulmonologist from Gurugram shares 20-20-20 breathing technique to reduce pollution exposure and strengthen lungs

Spoke to HT Lifestyle to understand the risks and learn how to breathe properly Dr. Harihar Murthy, ENT, head and neck surgeon at Apollo Spectra Hospital, Bengaluru, shares his insights on how this common habit is seen in both adults and children. He cautioned that mouth breathing can cause serious diseases.

Common problems related to mouth breathing

Dr. Murthy explained six common problems one may experience with frequent mouth breathing:

1. Sleep disturbance: Enlargement of tonsils eventually leads to snoring, which disrupts sleep.
2. Gum problems: Dry out the gums and tissues of the mouth, which upsets the normal balance of bacteria in the mouth and leads to gum disease and tooth decay.
3. Lung problems: Decreased amount of oxygen in the blood affects lung function and makes the condition worse for people suffering from asthma.
4. slanting eyes: Due to mouth breathing, the veins around the eyes dilate, due to which the eyes droop and dark circles or dark spots form around the eyes.
5. Flu and cold: The nose filters germs with tiny cilia, but mouth breathing bypasses this protection, allowing bacteria to reach the throat and increasing the risk of colds, sinus infections, hay fever, and allergies.
6. sore throat: Due to mouth breathing, the tissues of the mouth and throat become dry, which causes dryness and sourness in the throat in the morning.

The ENT surgeon further cautioned that mouth breathing in children can affect growth and development. This can lead to downward movement of the jaw, crooked teeth, long face syndrome, protruding upper lip and swollen nostrils.

when to see a doctor

Mouth breathing may indicate underlying health problems. It is better if you get it checked. Mouth breathing is normal during a cold or nasal congestion, but if otherwise, it may be a sign of a problem that requires medical attention.

Here are some signs shared by doctors that could mean you’re mouth breathing:

• dry mouth all the time
• bad breath all day long
• mental fatigue or brain fog
• constant snoring, drooling
• Feeling tired and irritable upon waking up

How to stop mouth breathing

Dr. Murthy told that to stop breathing through the mouth, people should practice breathing through the diaphragm. “This enables the right diaphragmatic muscles to be activated for nasal breathing,” he adds. Additionally, people suffering from sleep apnea, or persistent sleep apnea, should use supportive pillows to reduce mouth breathing and maintain good posture while sleeping.

Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions you may have about a medical condition.