Majority of clients that come in for checkups involving their cavaties and gum diseases don’t even realize that a reason for their cavities could be the way that they are breathing. When you think of ways that you could have bad oral hygiene you typically think of things like, brushing, flossing and your diet, however your breathing patterns have a major impact when it comes to your oral hygiene too.
There are two way people breathe, through their nose and through their mouth. The way you are supposed to breathe is through your nose. Breathing through your mouth damages your teeth alot more than you might think. You should consult with your dentist so they can point you in the right direction to avoid all the problems breathing through your mouth might cause.
Negative affects of mouth breathing:
Dry mouth: Mouth breathing causes dry mouth because, air is supposed to go through you nasal passages which normally would humidify and warm up the inhaled air instead it evaporates moisture from the oral tissues and causes reduced saliva production. Saliva is crucial in neutralizing acids, washing food debris, and preventing bacterial overgrowth and due to the lack of it, it will cause your teeth to be more vulnerable to gum diseases and cavaties. Due to the reduced saliva flow from mouth breathing it causes bacteria to multiply, which can result in bad breath.
Increases risks of cavities: Without the proper saliva production your teeth becomes more vulnarable to cavities as your saliva helps you neutralize acids from food and drinks. Without sufficent saliva these acids remain on your teeth longer which causes cavaties. With more bacteria and food particles remaining on your teeth the plaque and tartar build up faster which leads to tooth decay. All this can be avoided by just monitoring your breathing patterns.
Mouth structure: Mouth breathing can also cause facial and dental structure changes, leading to issues like a narrow V-shaped palate, an underdeveloped lower jaw. and a recessed chin. Your scarbourough dentists can help with all these issues as we offer appliances such as braces that can help reshape your teeth. We also identify issues like jaw malposition and malocclusions that contribute to the habit.
Remember to consult your dentist, Dr. Abid Hidayat, to choose the best product for your dental health and deal with issues that your breathing might be causing you. We are open Mondays to Saturdays and speak GUJARATI, HINDI, URDU, TAGALOG and ARABIC.As Scarborough’s leading dentist in family dental care, we care about what you need. You can reach our dental office in Scarborough, Toronto, Ontario, by calling 416-546-5599.