Does your little one breathe through their mouth? (Mouth Breathing) - Let's talk about this!

As a mother, you probably wake up at night to make sure your baby is sleeping well. Have you ever noticed that sometimes your little one breathes with his mouth open and makes a little snoring sound? Many parents think that this is normal, that this is how babies do it. But in fact, if a baby continues to breathe through his mouth, it is something we need to pay attention to. Let's talk about this in more depth today.

Why does a child breathe through their mouth?

Normally, all of us, especially newborn babies, should breathe through our nose. Because the nose is like a natural filter in our body. When we breathe through our nose, the air that enters is cleaned, moistened, and brought to a temperature that is suitable for the body.

However, babies don't develop the habit (reflex) of breathing through their mouth until they are about 3-4 months old. So, if a baby breathes through their mouth before that, it's usually because of some kind of obstruction, like a blocked nose. Simply put, mouth breathing is an alternative way for the baby's body to get the oxygen it needs because it can't breathe properly through its nose.

If this condition is left untreated, it can have long-term effects on the child's health. Therefore, it is not something to be taken lightly.

What are the main causes of mouth breathing?

The main reason why a child breathes through their mouth is due to problems with the shape and development of the upper jaw. A healthy child's upper jaw should be wide and in the shape of the letter "U". This allows space for the teeth and the nasal passages to be well open. However, some children's jaws develop into a narrow, "V" shape. This can cause the teeth to recede and protrude, and the nasal passages can become narrow, making it difficult to breathe.

In addition to this main reason, several other factors may affect this.

Other factors that increase the risk

• Stopping breastfeeding early: When a baby sucks breast milk, the baby's tongue, mouth, and jaw muscles are activated. This is like exercising those muscles. This process causes the baby's upper jaw to widen and the baby automatically gets used to breathing through the nose.
• Tongue-tie: Some babies may have a tight frenulum, which can make it difficult for them to latch on properly, eat, swallow, and talk later on. This can also affect the development of the jaw.
• Thumb sucking and pacifier use: When a child is addicted to these things for a long time, the pressure on the palate can cause the jaw to narrow.

How do I know if my child is breathing through his mouth?

If your baby keeps his mouth open while sleeping, that's a major sign. In addition, keep an eye out for these things as well.

What health problems can occur if you continue to breathe through your mouth?

As we discussed earlier, breathing through the nose is the healthiest way to breathe. Not only does breathing through the nose clean the air, it also provides the lungs with the right amount of pressure. This makes it easier for the body to absorb oxygen. Also, breathing through the nose releases a chemical called nitric oxide, which helps with blood circulation.

Breathing through your mouth provides none of these benefits, and can lead to various problems in the long run.

• Oral health problems: Mouth breathing causes your mouth to dry out. This reduces the amount of saliva in your mouth. Saliva is what controls bacteria on your teeth. When saliva is low, the risk of tooth decay and gum disease (gingivitis) increases.
• Effects on jaw and facial development: Constantly keeping the mouth open can change the shape of the baby's face. The jaw may become narrow and the face may take on an elongated shape.
• Dental problems: Teeth can become crowded and misaligned due to lack of space in the jaw. This may require orthodontic treatment at a later date.
• Speech problems: Problems pronouncing some letters may occur because the tongue is always held forward.
• Sleep problems: Conditions such as sleep apnea and snoring may increase.

What are the treatments for this?

If you notice any of these symptoms in your child, the first and most important thing you should do is take your child to a qualified doctor, preferably a Pediatrician. He or she may also refer you to an Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Surgeon.

The treatment methods prescribed by the doctor may vary depending on the cause.

• Breathing training: Training the child to breathe through the nose again and to hold the tongue correctly.
• Treating the underlying cause: Treating allergies, infections. Helping to stop habits like thumb sucking.
• Orthodontic treatment: If necessary, treatments such as braces to correct the growth of teeth and jaws.
• Surgery: In some cases, it may be necessary to remove tonsils or adenoids that are blocking breathing, straighten the bridge of the nose, or perform a minor operation to fix a tongue-tie.