Oral Care and Health Daily

A recent study by Yosh Jefferson, a doctor of dental medicine in New Jersey, found that kids who are mouth breathers have some common characteristics that can be easily spotted by a dentist: narrow lower jaws and palate; crooked teeth; and long, narrow faces.

That may be what your dentist saw when she examined you. Like children, adults with a long history of breathing through their mouths may have malformed sinuses or untreated allergies that can lead to some serious problems, such as sleep apnea, says Jefferson. (People with sleep apnea may stop breathing and rouse hundreds of times a night, leaving them exhausted the next day. Sleep apnea also ups the risk of such ailments as hypertension and heart attack.)

Another clue that you’re a mouth breather is the appearance of cavities. Breathing through your mouth can dry up the saliva that lubricates your mouth, washes away food particles and neutralizes plaque. Without it, your teeth and gums can become a breeding ground for the bacteria that cause cavities and gum disease.

The solution: Get to the root cause of your mouth breathing, says Jefferson. This problem usually requires a multidisciplinary approach: You may need to see an otolaryngologist (i.e., ear, nose and throat specialist), who will look for any functional problems such as swollen tonsils and adenoids; an allergist; a sleep specialist; or an orthodontic practitioner, who may suggest an appliance to expand your mouth, followed up by braces. Until your problem is solved, your doctor may recommend that you drink sips of water, chew gum or use artificial saliva, which is available in most drug stores.

Photo: @iStockphoto.com/shironosov