Airway problems

AIRWAY PROBLEMS AND MOUTH BREATHING

Our mouth plays an important role in our ability to breath. Under normal conditions, we breathe through the nose. However, when there is nose congestion and when under intense exercising, we might need to breathe through the mouth temporarily to help our body get the necessary amount of oxygen.

Occasional breathing through the mouth is not a problem, however, regular mouth breathing is far from ideal and can lead to serious problems. In children, it can affect the development of the jawbones and the face, leading to bite problems, crooked teeth, etc. In adults, it can lead to several complications, including worse oral health, sinus infections, allergies, snoring, fatigue and low oxygen in the blood, which increases the risk for heart disease and high blood pressure.

There are several factors that can cause mouth breathing, such as nasal congestion, enlarged tonsils and adenoids, sleep apnea, the shape of the nasal cavity, the shape and the size of the jaws.

HOW CAN YOU FIND OUT IF YOU BREATHE THROUGH THE MOUTH?

Symptoms like snoring, dry mouth, bad breath, dark circles under the eyes and chronic fatigue can indicate that you breathe through the mouth during the night.

MEDICAL ORTHODONTICS FOR BETTER BREATHING AND WELLBEING

The mouth is a unique and dynamic environment, providing entrance to the digestive and respiratory systems. Its structures (teeth, bone, tongue, roof of the mouth) are all interconnected and are constantly influencing each other.

Under normal conditions, the tongue fill up the palate’s space (the roof of the mouth). However, when the arches are narrow, there is a lack of adequate space for the tongue, which ends up having a lower and more backward position. As a result, the airway can be obstructed. Another problem is that a narrow upper jaw is associated with a narrow nose cavity, which can lead to insufficient nose breathing and consequent mouth breathing to compensate for the low oxygen intake.

This is often the case for obstructive sleep apnea, a sleep disorder characterized by obstruction of the airway during sleep, mouth breathing, snoring, chronic fatigue and increased risk for heart disease.

Through medical orthodontics, these conditions can easily be changed for better breathing. Expansion of the upper jaw leads to expansion of the nasal cavity and to increased space for the tongue, improving airflow, sleep and overall energy and wellbeing.

AIRWAY problems - medical orthodontics

CLEAR ALIGNER THERAPY TO IMPROVE AIRWAY PROBLEMS

The use of clear aligner therapy has revolutionized orthodontics and dentistry in general. The easiness of having teeth and bite improved using removable, nearly invisible devices has become the best option for adults.

What few dentists know is that these devices cannot only give you a pretty smile, but it can affect your wellbeing by improving the way you breathe. This happens because this treatment affects the jaws in three basic ways:

  • It expands the jaws and changes its form, which is possible due to the gentle forces applied by the aligners.
  • It results in better volume inside the mouth, which promotes breathing through the nose and results in increased levels of oxygen and energy.
  • It also results in better placement of the tongue, decreasing the obstruction to the airway. Having an adequate “home” for the tongue is essential for proper breathing and adequate arch form.

Many bite problems, including dental crowding, occur because of the lack of space in the dental arch.

Expansion of the jaws can solve most bad bite problems, improve breathing and create a harmonious smile.