Can chronic mouth breathing affect one’s teeth?
Chronic mouth breathing can be a symptom of other abnormalities such as enlarged tonsils or adenoids. These in turn can affect habitual tongue posture. This in turn is thought by many to contribute to abnormal growth and shape of the facial structures including the jaws. (“adenoid facies”). When this happens, the way the teeth fit together will likely be affected too. Furthermore, chronic mouth breathing can have a drying effect on the gums, causing the gums to become red and swollen. This is something you may want to consult an orthodontist about, and in some instances he may refer you to an otolaryngologist ( ENT physician). Other nasal constrictions can cause mouth breathing as well, such as nasal polyps, septal deviations and chronic allergies.
