Mouth Breathing

[cheeseshredder]

How bad is this habit? All the sites that I can find that compares it looks quite shady IMO.

Probably due to allergies, my nostrils are always plugged (most of the time 1/2 works a bit). It's even worse when I lie down, so this leaves me breathing through my mouth all the time.

Since I don't own the house, I can't choose to remove the carpeting and etc to make conditions better. I always have some post-nasal drip and have recently developed harsh sore throats in the morning.. Though the sore throat thing is new, I usually spend my morning clearing my throat of phelgm anyway.

Anyone else have similar problems that could enlighten me on the affects of mouth breathing? :|

[coolspot]

I had childhood asthma... and I think ever since then I started breathing through my mouth a lot :(

Dunno if it's really bad - I've read some stuff online, but it doesn't seem to be a big issue?

[Codegen]

I've found myself having the exact same problem. Sore throats usually go away within half an hour of waking up.

[Bordello]

There's nothing wrong with breathing through your mouth. The trachea connects to both your mouth and nose, so there's no difference there. The only thing is that your nose has nose hairs that can help trap some airborne particulates, but that's pretty minimal.

You should consider getting a HEPA air filter and a humidifier.

[CSK'sMom]

Mouth breathing can be quite bad for your teeth because your mouth literally dries up. Salive protects your teeth. If your allergies are that bad then you should be seeing a doctor.

[ans2]

How bad is this habit? |

This maybe more than just a habit. Some people have large adenoids. You cannot physically see the adenoids when you look into a persons mouth. They are too far back. But very large adenoids can restrict air flow through the nose. Consequently, breathing through the mouth.

As I understand it, there is some filtering of the air when a person breathes through the nose. As well the air is warmed up before it goes to the lungs. Whereas people who breathe through the mouth ends up with colder dryer air that isn't quite as good. You might also talk to an orthodontist. I might stand corrected but I think people who breathe through their mouth might also have a tendency to push their teeth out with their tongue.

My recollection is that most children who have large adenoids as children grow out of it (ie adenoids become normal in size during the teenage years). But as children, they have stated breathing through their mouth to compensate for the large adenoids. So, by the time they become adults, breathing through the mouth has become a habit.

[Sajjad]

I have the same problem, I actually have to *think* to breathe through my nose. I have to mentally say to my self...inhale (thru nose)....exhale (thru nose). Nothing I can do about it I guess, I beleive it's because I have enlarged (?) adenoids?

[blizzah]

If I ever start thinking about breathing with my mouth, I have to do something else to start up with the nose again.

[itsyours]

There's nothing wrong with breathing through your mouth. The trachea connects to both your mouth and nose, so there's no difference there. The only thing is that your nose has nose hairs that can help trap some airborne particulates, but that's pretty minimal.

You should consider getting a HEPA air filter and a humidifier.

Yes, there is a big difference:
Air gone thru noses got filtered out dusts, some fine particles, some bacterias & viruses, moisturized and warm. Your trachea - bronchi - lungs get better protection with that quality air.
Beside that it's bad for your mouth, lip, gum, teeth and breadth if breathing thru the mouth.
Too bad, it's not our choice to breath. My daughther has this problem too.

[duckdown]

Yup, my nose is always plugged too, and im a mouth breather :S

[cipher]

Deviated septum???

[doraemi]

if you breath too frequently through your mouth, you increase your risk of having gingivitus...

I was a mouth breather too and that what happened to me...now, i try to shut my mouth

[ans2]

if you breath too frequently through your mouth, you increase your risk of having gingivitus...

I was a mouth breather too and that what happened to me...now, i try to shut my mouth

People who breathe through their mouth because they can not breathe through their nose should consult their doctor. Probably best to try to get referred to a Nose and Throat Specialist. If the Specialist suspects an obstruction, they can recommend that x rays be taken. I don't think a forum like this is the best place to get medical advice.

[cheeseshredder]

People who breathe through their mouth because they can not breathe through their nose should consult their doctor. Probably best to try to get referred to a Nose and Throat Specialist. If the Specialist suspects an obstruction, they can recommend that x rays be taken. I don't think a forum like this is the best place to get medical advice.

It's uncomfortable to breathe through my nose.. and it's almost impossible when I'm lying down on my side or stomach. Let's see... Doctors have suggested... nose spray things that didn't do anything. The phlegm problem..tried antibiotics.

I'm pretty sure it's just the air quality.

[north77]

How long have you had this sinus problem? You might want to go make an appointment with a doctor/'specialist' to make sure your 'plumbing' so to speak is in order.

Carpet can be a huge problem for allergies. If you find this mouth breathing happening at night, what I would suggest is you raise the head of your bed up 3-5 inches. Sleeping at a slight angle will help drain your sinuses at night without you having to sleep on 2/3 pillows and get a neck cramp.

There is also a nasal wash treatment you could investigate.

Also, I'd recommend you get some plants to help clean the air in your house. (Spider plants and Ferns are very good at that.) As well as a hepa air cleaner. (I'd get rid of the carpet, but you can't so...)

Also, for piece of mind, you may want to get an allergy test done, and you may be eating a number of foods that are mucous producing also to make things worse.

If/when you do get congested, a brew of Ginger, Cinnamon, and Honey is very good at clearing sinus congestion and dissolving mucous! So is golden rod tincture (if your not allergic to it!).

*edit* Oh, also- do you have any moth balls in the house? If so, get rid of all of them! They emit fumes constantly, regardless if they are 'hidden' away.

[cheeseshredder]

...

Plants eh? I already have an air purifier (the one from Sharp).. but no plants yet. Thanks, and I think I'll try that Ginger combination now. :)