If your child is a chronic mouth breather, it may be time to seek medical attention. Kids should be breathing through their nose to receive oxygen, not their mouth.
The primary pathway for receiving oxygen into the body is through your nose. If the nasal airway is blocked, the body then resorts to mouth breathing as an emergency alternative. Respiration is an important part of speech and mouth breathing can negatively affect speech development as well as speech production. Chronic and long-term mouth breathing (not short-term during a cold or allergy season) can have many potential causes and many potential consequences that can impact your child's development and overall health.
Reasons for a blocked nasal airway include:
Nasal obstruction
Congestion
Nasal polyps
Enlarged adenoids
Shape and size of the nose and jaw
Deviated septum
Stress and anxiety
Concerns for mouth breathing include:
Impacted growth rate
Enlarged tonsils
Dry and flaky lips
Poor sleep quality
Promotes a forward sitting tongue position that can affect speech and swallowing
If you have concerns about chronic mouth breathing, consult your pediatrician, ENT, or dentist!
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