Mouth Breathing in Children: What Every Parent Should Know

Mouth breathing is often dismissed as a harmless habit in children — but in reality, it can be an early sign of deeper concerns affecting your child’s growth, health, and development.

At Orthodontics Victoria, we regularly see young patients who present with crowded teeth, narrow jaws, or underbites — and in many cases, mouth breathing is at the root of these issues.

Understanding Mouth Breathing and Its Impact

Let’s take the example of Lucas (name changed for privacy), an energetic 8-year-old who came to us with dental crowding and an underbite. What stood out during his assessment wasn’t just his bite — it was his breathing.

What We Observed:

• Chronic mouth breathing due to an enlarged nasal turbinate

• A narrow upper jaw and anterior crossbite

• A tongue thrust swallowing pattern with lower lip overactivity

These weren’t just cosmetic findings. They were linked to how Lucas was breathing, sleeping, and using the muscles of his face — all of which influence long-term development.

The Hidden Consequences of Mouth Breathing

Mouth breathing in children is often associated with:

• 🦷 Abnormal jaw and facial growthChronic open-mouth posture can alter tongue position and lead to a narrow palate, long-face appearance, and crowded teeth.

• 😴 A marker of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB)Mouth breathing, snoring, and nasal obstruction are key clinical signs of SDB in children, a condition that disrupts sleep quality, oxygen levels, and healthy growth.

• 🧠 Behavioral and cognitive effectsPoor sleep from SDB can lead to difficulty concentrating, hyperactivity, and reduced academic performance.

• 😬 Oral health issuesMouth breathing contributes to dry mouth, plaque buildup, increased risk of cavities, and gum inflammation.

• 🫁 Systemic health impactsIf untreated, chronic mouth breathing and SDB may increase long-term risk for metabolic, cardiovascular, and immune challenges.

How We Approach Treatment

For children like Lucas, we take a multidisciplinary, airway-focused approach to care:

1. Medical coordination – We work with your child’s physician to assess airway concerns and determine if ENT referral is needed.

2. Orthodontic intervention – We use gentle appliances like palatal expanders to widen the upper jaw, improve nasal airflow, and correct crossbites.

3. Myofunctional therapy – We help your child develop proper tongue posture, lip seal, swallow patterns, and nasal breathing.

4. Growth monitoring – We track changes every 6 months to ensure healthy development and timely adjustments.

Why Early Intervention Matters

The earlier we identify and treat the effects of mouth breathing, the more we can influence healthy growth. By improving breathing, posture, and function early, we reduce the need for more invasive interventions later.

Is Your Child a Mouth Breather?

If your child snores, breathes through their mouth, has crowded teeth, or shows signs of poor sleep, we encourage you to book an early orthodontic evaluation. It’s not just about straight teeth — it’s about helping your child breathe, grow, and thrive.