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healthbriefs
back to maintain an open airway. Try it
yourself, while letting your tongue relax.
Notice that this posture pulls the jaw
Are you a Mouth Breather?
down and back. It also changes the posi-
tion of the tongue. The tongue is pulled
by Dr. Claire Stagg
down so that it no longer produces any
force against the upper arch of the teeth.
Without this force, the developing upper
I
t is perfectly natural to breathe
jaw does not fully grow and the nasal
through your mouth at certain times,
cavity becomes constricted. Since the up-
such as when lifting a heavy load or
per jaw also happens to be the lower part
running. Breathing through the mouth
of the nasal cavity, you can see how one
most of the time, however, can cause
affects the other. What started out to be a
health problems. These problems can be
problem with your nose also becomes a
especially severe for children because
problem with your bite.
mouth breathing can affect the long-term
Even worse, when children
development of the face.
chronically breathe through their mouth,
Most of us bring air into our body
it can affect the overall growth and
through our nose. The nose is designed
and dark circles under the eyes are all
development of their face. A typical
to act as a natural humidifi er and fi ltering
indications of airway obstruction.
facial profi le is associated with people
system for the air we breathe. When we
Using the mouth for breathing disrupts
who have a long history of mouth
can’t get enough air through our nose,
our natural body mechanics. This is less
breathing. It is a narrow face with a
however, the mouth takes over. Breathing
of a problem for animals. Since the heads
forward head posture, a narrowed or
through the mouth is perfectly natural
of four legged animals are horizontal to
fl attened nose with nostrils that are small
occasionally. Yet, breathing through the
the ground, gravity helps to bring the
and poorly developed, a short upper lip,
mouth most of the time was not nature’s
throat muscles down and keep the air-
and a “pouting out” lower lip.
intent. When this happens, serious
way open. By standing upright, man cre-
If you or your child habitually breathe
problems can occur.
ates a new need to maintain the airway.
through the mouth, it is important to
Mouth breathing can affect a number
We do so through a complex network of
inform both your dentist and physician.
of bodily functions and lead to symptoms
cartilage and muscles in the throat. After
The dentist will be concerned with cor-
such as headaches, dry mouth, sore
air passes through our nostrils, it goes
recting the bite. However, a proper bite
throat, bad breath, poor sleep, chronic
into our pharynx. The pharynx is located
cannot be attained until normal nasal
fatigue, ear pressure and fullness. Over
just behind the nasal cavity and is the
breathing is established. This typically
time, mouth breathing can also affect the
passageway for both food and air. The
must be corrected by an allergist or Ear,
position of your teeth and your bite, your
tongue is the large muscle which does
Nose and Throat specialist (ENT). Both
facial features, and your posture.
much of the work to keep this passage
the bite and the nasal passageway should
The most obvious reason someone
open, in combination with the soft palate
be taken into consideration. This is why it
would breathe through the mouth
which rests upon it. The lower jaw serves
is important that your dentist and physi-
is because they can’t get enough air
as a support for the tongue and related
cian work together.
through the nose. Common reasons
structures just below the neck.
Dr. Claire Stagg is located in Indian
for blocked nasal passages include:
We typically use the jaw and tongue Harbour Beach. She will present “How
allergies, which may cause polyps or
for eating, swallowing and speaking. Sleep Can Save Your Life” at the Healthy
swelling, enlarged tonsils or adenoids,
When used for breathing, we must make Living Expo on March 14
th
at Brevard
and respiratory infections (cold or the
postural adjustments. Chronic mouth Community College in Melbourne. For
fl u). Snoring, sounding “stuffy” during
breathers tend to bring their head forward more information call 321-777-2797. See
the day/night, frequent sore throats,
in front of their shoulders and tilted ads on pages 15 and 33.
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March 14th
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10am-5pm
meditation
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1-877-282-4244
16
Brevard/Indian River
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