Signs of mouth breathing
Parents, dentists and orthodontists often notice mouth breathing before the person does.
- Lips resting apart during the day
- Breathing through the mouth when asleep, or snoring
- Waking with a dry mouth
- A low tongue resting position, or the tongue showing between the teeth
- Chewing with the mouth open, or messy eating
Common causes
Mouth breathing usually starts when breathing through the nose is harder:
- A blocked nose from allergies, hay fever or frequent colds
- Enlarged tonsils or adenoids, often the main cause in children
- Habit, which can continue after the original cause has gone
- Thumb sucking or dummy use continuing past the toddler years
- A tongue restriction or tongue tie, which can make it harder to rest the tongue on the roof of the mouth
Why nasal breathing matters. The nose filters, warms and moistens the air you breathe. Research links long-term mouth breathing in children with changes in how the teeth and jaws develop, and with a higher risk of tooth decay and gum disease, which is why dentists and orthodontists pay close attention to it.
How we care for mouth breathing
Every plan follows the same five steps, adapted to your age and goals.
Listen
A full history of breathing, sleep, snoring, allergies, feeding and dental or orthodontic care. Please bring any reports you have.
Assess
We gently check how you breathe at rest, how your lips close, where your tongue rests, how it moves and how you swallow, and screen thoroughly so nothing is missed.
Explain
What we found, what we suggest, how long it should take and what it costs. Then you decide.
Practise
Myofunctional therapy exercises for nasal breathing, lip seal and tongue posture, taught in clinic and practised at home each day. For children, we make them playful.
Review
Regular reviews to check your progress, refine the exercises and add the next ones, with your dentist or GP kept in the loop.
If your assessment points to a blocked nose, allergies or enlarged tonsils, we work alongside your GP.
What the evidence says
A review of mouth breathing in children and a review of myofunctional therapy found:
- Mouth breathing is one of the most common oral habits in children
- It often comes from a blocked nose or enlarged adenoids and tonsils
- Long-term mouth breathing is linked with changes in dental and jaw development, and in oral health
- Myofunctional therapy can produce changes in some situations, including mouth breathing
That is why we work alongside your dentist, orthodontist and GP, and review your progress closely.
What you can do at home
- Notice the resting position. Lips together, teeth apart and tongue resting on the roof of the mouth.
- Gently close the lips and breathe through the nose when you notice the mouth is open.
- Practise calm nasal breathing for a few minutes a day, such as before bed.
- Make it a game for children, with small daily challenges and plenty of praise.
- Ease off thumb sucking or dummies gradually, with positive encouragement.
Who we see with mouth breathing
- Babies
Infants who often breathe through an open mouth, with gentle care and you in the room the whole time.
Paediatric chiropractic- Children
School-age children whose parents or dentist have noticed an open-mouth posture.
Care for babies and kids- Orthodontic patients
Teens and adults having braces, plates or aligners, alongside their orthodontist.
Myofunctional therapy- Adults
Adults who mouth breathe during the day or at night, or who snore.
Myofunctional therapy- Families with allergies
Children and adults with hay fever or a blocked nose, alongside their GP.
Your first visit
Questions about mouth breathing
What is mouth breathing?
It is breathing mostly through the mouth instead of the nose, often with the lips apart at rest. It is common in infants and children, and often starts with a blocked nose, allergies, enlarged tonsils and adenoids, or a tongue restriction or tongue tie.
Can myofunctional therapy help mouth breathing?
It can be part of the plan. Myofunctional therapy uses exercises to practise nasal breathing, lip seal and tongue posture. Research shows it can improve nasal breathing, and we work alongside your dentist, orthodontist and GP.
Is mouth breathing bad for my child's teeth?
It can be. Research links long-term mouth breathing with changes in how the teeth and jaws develop, and with a higher risk of tooth decay and gum disease, which is why your dentist or orthodontist may mention it. We also often see tension in the jaw and neck alongside it.
What age can children start myofunctional therapy?
Children usually start once they can follow and practise simple exercises at home. We assess children of any age and tailor the exercises to them.
Do I need to see a GP first?
No. You can book with us directly. If your assessment points to a blocked nose, allergies or enlarged tonsils, we work alongside your GP.
How long does it take to change mouth breathing?
It depends on the cause and how regularly the exercises are practised at home. You get a written plan with a clear timeline after your assessment, and we review your progress at set points.
Related conditions and services
Sources
- Lin L, et al. The impact of mouth breathing on dentofacial development: a concise review. Frontiers in Public Health. 2022;10:929165.
- Stefani CM, et al. Effectiveness of orofacial myofunctional therapy in improving orofacial function and oral habits: a scoping review. Canadian Journal of Dental Hygiene. 2025;59(1):59-72.
This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Book an assessment for advice about your own situation.
