Causes of mouth breathing while sleeping
Dr Rajneesh Srivastava, consultant respiratory and sleep specialist at Medanta, Lucknow (India) - said that mouth breathing during sleep can occur for many reasons, including nasal congestion, anatomical abnormalities and sleep disorders.
Nasal congestion caused by allergies, colds, or sinusitis can make breathing through the nose difficult, forcing people to breathe through their mouths while sleeping.
Anatomical abnormalities such as narrow nasal passages or a deviated septum can impede proper airflow through the nose, leading to mouth breathing as a compensatory mechanism, adds Rajneesh Srivastava.
“Additionally, people with sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, which is characterized by airway obstruction during sleep, may switch to mouth breathing to overcome the obstruction and maintain oxygen intake,” says Srivastava.
Sharing the same view, Dr. Sowjanya, senior pulmonologist, Kamineni Hospital, Hyderabad (India) - said that the main cause of mouth breathing during sleep can be due to two main factors. The first is an underlying problem or obstruction in the nasal airway, such as a deviated septum or obstruction. The second cause is simply due to bad habits.
Doctors say that while breathing through your nose has many benefits for your brain, hormones, and even your mood, breathing through your mouth can have some negative health effects.
Among them, mouth breathing while sleeping causes bacteria in the mouth to increase, which can lead to bad breath, tooth decay and gum disease.
In children, mouth breathing can cause facial deformities, crooked teeth, and overall growth problems.
Additionally, mouth breathing while sleeping can also lead to dry mouth and throat, causing discomfort and dental problems. This habit bypasses the natural filtering and humidifying process of the nose, leading to reduced oxygen intake, poor sleep quality, and increased risk of respiratory infections.
How to control
Experts and doctors offer ways to control this problem, including:
You can practice breathing through your nose by simply closing your lips.
- Pressing the tongue against the roof of the mouth can also help maintain proper and more consistent mouth posture.
- By doing throat exercises, you can strengthen your tongue, which helps keep your airway open.
- Clearing the nasal passages with a saline spray or water can relieve congestion and promote nasal breathing.
- Maintaining a proper sleeping position, such as lying on your side, can help prevent mouth breathing.
- If symptoms persist, it is important to be evaluated, especially in children because early diagnosis can prevent irreversible changes in the airway.
