Breathing through your mouth is bad for your teeth, especially when you do it at night. As we edge into sniffle season, breathing through our noses isn't always an option. But often, mouth breathing is an unconscious choice and one that is worth unlearning.
Newsweek spoke to dentist Dr. Alex Foo at Aria Dental to learn why mouth breathing is so bad for our health and how to stop it.
"Mouth breathing is bad for your teeth day and night but is especially bad at night," Foo told Newsweek. "At night, saliva production decreases, and mouth breathing makes it worse, so you get a dry mouth. Saliva is what neutralizes acids and washes away food particles, so without it, bacteria can thrive, and you get cavities and gum disease."
Mouth breathing for extensive periods may also cause physical changes to the structure of your face, especially in children. "Chronic mouth breathing can change the facial structure, especially in children, which can lead to long-term dental alignment problems and speech difficulties," Foo said. "It can also result in chronic bad breath (halitosis), which can further damage oral health and confidence."
During sleep, mouth breathing—often accompanied by snoring—can affect our oxygen intake, leading to restlessness and potentially sleep apnea, which temporarily stops you from breathing while you sleep.
So, what can you do to stop mouth breathing?
"Simple changes like staying hydrated, treating underlying nasal obstructions or using a humidifier at night can help minimize the effects of mouth breathing," Foo said.
He added that regular dental checkups can help detect signs of mouth breathing before they become problematic. "Your overall oral health depends on good habits and addressing the issues before it becomes chronic," he said.
Mouth breathing isn't the only seemingly innocuous habit that can have a surprisingly negative effect on oral and overall health.
"Small habits like nail biting, chewing on ice or using your teeth to open packages can damage tooth enamel and increase the risk of cracks and fractures," Foo said.
"Sipping sugary or acidic drinks regularly can erode enamel over time and sensitivity and decay. Brushing too hard can also wear down enamel and irritate the gums, which can cause receding gums. We often overlook these daily habits, but over time, they can add up to big oral health problems."