Mouth Breathing and Malocclusion in Children

How Mouth Breathing Affects the Bite

The development of the tongue and oropharynx muscles is directly linked to breathing quality and tooth position. During natural breastfeeding, the child's tongue exercises daily — the child naturally breathes through the nose.

What Happens During Frequent Colds

During frequent colds, children develop the habit of breathing through the mouth. Bacteria, not filtered by the nose, reach the throat directly. Simultaneously, blood oxygen deficiency develops, the child loses concentration and becomes drowsy. Germs in the throat cause illnesses, as a result of which the tongue tends to shift slightly forward and downward.

Consequences for Teeth and Bite

This leads to malocclusion and problems with pronunciation and speech clarity. In the long term, mouth breathing can lead to:

• Narrowing of the upper jaw
• Elongation of the lower jaw ("long face" type)
• Dental crowding
• Bite problems
• Postural disorders

Treatment

Treatment requires an interdisciplinary approach: dentist, ENT specialist, osteopath. It may include surgical procedures (adenoids, tonsils), myofunctional therapy, and nasal breathing exercises. At Orto Clinic Chisinau, we provide a comprehensive evaluation and guide you to the right specialists.