Nose Breathing vs Mouth Breathing

Nose Breathing vs Mouth Breathing

Breathing is crucial for life, and we often take it for granted. But, did you know that the way you breathe can affect your health and well-being? The two primary ways of breathing are nose breathing and mouth breathing. Nose breathing involves inhaling and exhaling through the nose, while mouth breathing involves breathing through the mouth. In this article, we will compare nose breathing vs mouth breathing and help you determine which one is better for your health.

The Benefits of Nose Breathing include:

• Nose breathing mechanics: When you breathe through your nose, air is filtered, warmed, and humidified before it enters your lungs. Nose breathing also creates resistance to the airflow, which helps to slow down your breathing rate and improve the distribution of air in your lungs.
• Physiological benefits: Nose breathing increases oxygen intake and improves the quality of the air you breathe by filtering out dust, pollutants, and allergens. It also helps to regulate the temperature and humidity of the air you breathe, reducing the risk of dryness and irritation in your airways.
• Psychological benefits: Nose breathing has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety levels by activating the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps to calm the body and promote relaxation. It also increases mindfulness and focus, as breathing through the nose helps to slow down the breath and increase awareness of the present moment.

The drawbacks of Mouth Breathing

• Mouth breathing mechanics: When you breathe through your mouth, air enters your lungs without being filtered, warmed, or humidified. This can lead to irritation and inflammation in your airways, as well as increased susceptibility to respiratory infections.
• Physiological drawbacks: Mouth breathing reduces oxygen intake, which can lead to fatigue, dizziness, and other symptoms of oxygen deprivation. It also dries out your mouth and throat, increasing the risk of bad breath, tooth decay, and gum disease.
• Psychological drawbacks: Mouth breathing has been shown to increase stress and anxiety levels, as well as decrease mindfulness and focus. This is because mouth breathing tends to be faster and shallower than nose breathing, which can lead to hyperventilation and a feeling of being “out of breath.”

What causes Mouth Breathing

1. Nasal congestion: If the nasal passages are blocked due to allergies, a cold, sinus infection, or other condition, it can be difficult to breathe through the nose and force a person to breathe through their mouth.
2. Deviated septum: A deviated septum is a condition where the cartilage that separates the two nostrils is off-center, which can make it difficult to breathe through the nose.
3. Enlarged adenoids or tonsils: If the adenoids (located in the back of the nose) or tonsils (located in the back of the throat) are enlarged, they can block airflow through the nose and force a person to breathe through their mouth.
4. Sleep apnea: Sleep apnea is a condition where a person’s breathing is interrupted during sleep, which can cause them to wake up frequently and breathe through their mouth.
5. Chronic mouth breathing habit: Sometimes, a person may develop a chronic habit of breathing through their mouth, even when there is no medical reason for it.

How to correct Mouth Breathing

If you’re a chronic mouth breather, there are several things you can do to help correct the habit and improve your overall health:

1. Practice nasal breathing by breathing through your nose as much as possible, especially during the day when you’re awake. You can practice by simply focusing on breathing through your nose and taking deep breaths.
2. Clear nasal passages if you have a stuffy nose. Use a saline nasal spray or rinse to help clear your nasal passages.
3. Address any medical conditions such as deviated septum, enlarged tonsils, adenoids, or other medical conditions. These condition can cause you to breath from the mouth.
4. Chronic mouth breathing can dry out the mouth and increase the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. It’s important to practice good oral hygiene habits like brushing and flossing. There are various breathing exercises that can help improve nasal breathing and strengthen the muscles involved in breathing. A healthcare provider or breathing coach can recommend exercises that are right for you.
5. There are various devices, such as nasal strips or dilators, that can help open up the nasal passages. This will make it easier to breathe through the nose.

It’s important to note that correcting mouth breathing may take time and effort. It will have a significant positive impact on your overall health and wellbeing once it’s corrected.

Effects on the Jaw

• Mouth breathing can cause your jaw to drop, which can affect your facial structure over time.
• When you breathe through your mouth, your tongue doesn’t rest against the roof of your mouth like it does during nose breathing. This can lead to tongue thrusting, which can further affect your jaw position.
• Mouth breathing can also lead to malocclusion, or misalignment of the teeth and jaws. These can cause problems with chewing, speech, and overall facial appearance.
• Children who habitually mouth breathe may develop long, narrow faces, crowded teeth, and other facial deformities as a result.

signs of sleeping with your mouth open

1. If you wake up with a dry mouth, it’s likely that you’ve been breathing through your mouth during sleep.
2. Mouth breathing can cause snoring, which can disturb your sleep and your partner’s sleep.
3. Mouth breathing during sleep can cause poor quality of sleep, leading to daytime fatigue and lack of energy.
4. Sleeping with your mouth open dries out your mouth and throat. This will allow bacteria to grow and cause bad breath.
5. Breathing through the mouth during sleep can cause a sore throat and increase the risk of throat infections.

In conclusion, by practicing nose breathing and addressing underlying issues, one can improve their overall health and wellbeing. So Nose Breathing vs Mouth Breathing, Nose breathing wins.