Does your child often sleep with their mouth open, snore, or breathe through the mouth during the day? Many parents see it as a harmless habit. It isn’t something to ignore.

We are meant to breathe through the nose. When a child breathes through the mouth for months or years, it can affect their sleep, their energy during the day, and even the way their face and teeth grow.

How mouth breathing affects your child

• Poor sleep quality: restless sleep, snoring, waking up often.

• Daytime tiredness: sleepiness, lethargy and low energy.

• Difficulty focusing: problems with concentration at school and at home.

• Growth and development: the jaws and face may grow differently, and overall health can be affected.

The first question: why is your child breathing through the mouth?
There are two broad reasons, and the treatment depends on which one it is.

1. Something is blocking the nose
Your child may be unable to breathe comfortably through the nose because of an obstruction, such as:

• Enlarged adenoids or tonsils

• Allergies that keep the nose blocked

• A deviated nasal septum

In many of these children, an ENT (ear, nose and throat) consultation is needed to identify and treat the underlying cause. Breathing habits are hard to change while the nose is still blocked.

2. It has become a habit
Sometimes there is no blockage at all, yet the child continues to breathe through the mouth. This is habitual mouth breathing. Here, we need to retrain the breathing pattern. We often advise myofunctional exercises: simple, guided exercises for the lips, tongue and facial muscles that help the child keep the lips closed and breathe through the nose.

What I look for as a pediatric dentist
Mouth breathing shows up in the mouth, often before parents notice anything else. At the clinic, I look at how it may be affecting your child’s oral health and development:

• Crowded or misaligned teeth

• A narrow upper jaw or a bite that doesn’t meet properly

• Changes in facial growth

• A very dry mouth, which raises the risk of cavities and gum inflammation

• Bad breath, especially early in the morning

Catching these early matters. While a child is still growing, we can often guide the jaws and teeth in the right direction with simpler treatment than would be needed later.

What parents can watch for

• Lips apart while sleeping, or a habitually open mouth during the day

• Snoring, noisy breathing or restless sleep

• Dark circles under the eyes or tiredness in the morning

• Dry, cracked lips

• Frequent blocked nose or colds

If your child snores loudly or seems to pause in their breathing at night, please speak to your pediatrician or an ENT specialist soon.

Don’t ignore it
Mouth breathing in children is common, but it is not something to wait out. Get your child evaluated at the earliest. A simple check-up today can make a big difference to your child’s oral and overall health and development.

FAQs

Is it normal for children to breathe through the mouth sometimes?
During a cold or after running, yes. It becomes a concern when your child breathes through the mouth most of the time, especially during sleep.

Will my child grow out of mouth breathing?
Some children improve once a cold or allergy settles, but many do not. If the cause is enlarged adenoids, allergies or habit, it usually needs to be addressed. The earlier it is checked, the more options there are.

Can mouth breathing really change how my child’s face and teeth grow?
It can. Breathing through the mouth changes the resting position of the tongue and lips, which influences how the upper jaw develops. This can contribute to a narrow jaw, crowded teeth and bite problems.

Should I see a dentist or an ENT first?
Either is a good starting point. If there are signs of blockage, such as snoring, a constantly blocked nose or large tonsils, an ENT consultation is important. We often work alongside ENT specialists, and we can check the effect on teeth and jaw growth and advise on exercises or treatment.

What are myofunctional exercises?
They are simple exercises for the lips, tongue and facial muscles that help a child learn to keep the lips together and breathe through the nose. They are done at home with guidance and work best when started early.

At what age should my child be checked?
As soon as you notice regular mouth breathing or snoring. Children as young as three or four can be assessed, and early guidance gives the best results.