Facial Growth and Appearance

Breathing through your mouth can actually change the shape of your face and alter your appearance. This is especially true for children because they are still growing. Children whose mouth breathing is not corrected may suffer from abnormal facial and dental development. Symptoms of untreated mouth breathing include long, narrow faces and mouths, less defined cheekbones, small lower jaws, and "weak chins". Other facial symptoms include gummy smiles and crooked teeth.

A “mouth breather” facial expression is typically not viewed as an attractive or desirable appearance.

Other Effects on the Body

People who chronically experience sleep disordered breathing may have their sleep patterns disrupted night after night. Think about how you feel after a few bad nights of sleep. Grumpy? Exhausted? Feeling foggy? Falling asleep at your desk?

Lack of sleep isn’t just about being tired. It leads to serious health issues too. Sleep apnea in children has been linked to conditions including ADD, ADHD, reduced IQ, and developmental issues, and can even stunt a child’s growth. In adults, lack of sleep has been associated with a number of long-term problems involving chronic medical conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Any of these can lead to a shorter and less enjoyable life.

Does mouth breathing change your face?

Using the mouth for breathing disrupts our natural body mechanics. The root of the problem in many cases is oxygen deprivation, which can affect a number of bodily functions and lead to symptoms such as:

Concerns in Children:

Do you identify with any of these health concerns?