.

Over time, children whose mouth breathing goes untreated may suffer from abnormal facial and dental development, such as long, narrow faces and mouths, gummy smiles, gingivitis, narrow palates and high palatal vaults, and crooked teeth. In addition to swollen tonsils, these are the tell-tale signs of mouth breathing problems. Dr. Jefferson notes that “many of these children are misdiagnosed with attention deficit disorder (ADD) and hyperactivity”. The poor sleep habits that result from mouth breathing can and do adversely affect growth and academic performance. In addition, mouth breathing can cause poor oxygen concentration in the bloodstream, which can cause high blood pressure, heart problems, sleep apnea, and other medical issues.
Dr. Jefferson says that, “children who mouth breathe typically do not sleep well, causing them to be tired during the day and possible unable to concentrate on academics. If the child becomes frustrated in school, he or she may exhibit behavioural problems.”

Treatment for mouth breathing is available and can be beneficial especially if the condition is caught early. If the tonsils are enlarged the patient can be referred for consultation with and ENT specialist. If the face and mouth are narrow the dentist can use expansion appliances to help widen the sinuses and open the nasal airway.

Please feel free to call us or ask any question at your next appointment if you are concerned about mouth breathing for yourself or your family.

Sincerely


Dr. Mike