In a study published in a 2009 Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, it was concluded that early detection and treatment of mouth breathing can change a child’s facial development, oxygen saturation to brain and muscles, and general quality of life.
All of the mouth breathing children in the study were found to be snorers, and this was the most important factor associated with abnormal craniofacial growth.
Children who nasal breathe show normal craniofacial growth. Those who mouth breathe show abnormal craniofacial development, malocclusion (crooked teeth), narrowing and deepening of the palate, upper front teeth that protrude, and changes in head position relative to the neck.
Check your children for mouth breathing and snoring, which are signs of potential developmental and sleeping problems.
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