Mouth Breathing in Kids and Adults: What It Really Costs — and What You Can Do About It

By Elisha Allred, BS, AOMT-C | Registered Dental Hygienist & Certified Orofacial Myofunctional Therapist Serving Statesville, Mooresville, Hickory, Troutman, and the Lake Norman area of North Carolina

Breathing is the most basic function of life — yet how we breathe matters just as much as how often we breathe. While the body is designed to breathe through the nose, many children and adults habitually breathe through the mouth. This seemingly small habit can have far-reaching effects on sleep quality, facial development, dental health, and overall well-being.

If you've noticed your child sleeping with their mouth open, snoring, or always congested — or if you're an adult who wakes up exhausted, grinds your teeth, or struggles with jaw tension — mouth breathing may be at the root of it. After 26 years as a dental hygienist, including nearly two decades at an airway-focused practice, I've seen this pattern in patients of all ages. And the good news is that it's often very treatable.

Why Nasal Breathing Is So Important

The nose is a sophisticated filtering and conditioning system. When we breathe through the nose, air is filtered, warmed, and humidified before it reaches the lungs. Nasal breathing also triggers the production of nitric oxide, a molecule that supports oxygen circulation, immune function, and cardiovascular health.

Mouth breathing bypasses all of this. Over time, chronic mouth breathing can contribute to dry mouth, increased dental decay, chronic inflammation of the airway, and poor oxygen efficiency during sleep.

How Mouth Breathing Affects Children's Development

In children, the effects can be especially significant. Proper nasal breathing supports healthy craniofacial growth and jaw development. When the mouth stays open at rest, the tongue typically sits low in the mouth rather than on the palate — an orofacial myofunctional pattern that can reshape how the face and airway develop over time.

This can lead to:

• Narrow palate and crowded teeth

• Altered facial bone growth

• Tongue thrust swallowing patterns

• Increased risk of orthodontic issues

Children who breathe through their mouths may also experience restless sleep, snoring, bedwetting, behavioral challenges, and difficulty concentrating — symptoms that are frequently mistaken for ADHD or behavioral issues rather than recognized as signs of disrupted sleep and airway function.

Mouth Breathing, Sleep, and Whole-Body Health

Mouth breathing is strongly associated with sleep-disordered breathing, including pediatric sleep apnea. When the mouth falls open during sleep, the airway loses stability and becomes more prone to partial collapse. The result is fragmented, unrestorative sleep — even in children who appear to sleep long hours.

Chronic poor sleep has ripple effects across the whole body, including impaired immune function, hormonal disruption, reduced cognitive performance, and increased systemic inflammation.

For growing children, consistent nasal breathing during sleep is essential for healthy brain development, proper airway growth, and restorative rest. For adults, untreated sleep-disordered breathing can affect energy, focus, and long-term health in ways that are often managed around rather than addressed at the root.

What Is Myofunctional Therapy — and Can It Help?

Myofunctional therapy is a structured program of exercises that retrains the muscles of the face, tongue, and airway. The goal is to restore the body's natural resting posture: lips together, tongue resting on the palate, breathing through the nose.

At Lips Sealed Myofunctional Therapy, I work with patients from age 5 through adulthood in Statesville, Mooresville, Hickory, Troutman, and the surrounding Lake Norman area. Sessions are individualized, and I collaborate closely with dentists, orthodontists, ENTs, and other providers to ensure your care is coordinated and comprehensive.

Early identification matters. Addressing mouth breathing and tongue posture in childhood can support healthier development and help prevent many long-term complications. But it's never too late — adults see meaningful results too, including improvements in sleep quality, jaw tension, and breathing patterns.

Recommended Reading

For those who want to go deeper on the science of breathing and airway health, these are two books I genuinely recommend:

• Breathe, Sleep, Thrive

• Shut Your Mouth and Save Your Life

Both explore the powerful connection between nasal breathing, sleep quality, and overall health — and offer practical insight into what restoring healthy breathing can look like in real life.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my child is a mouth breather?

Common signs include sleeping with the mouth open, snoring, dark circles under the eyes, chapped lips, frequent congestion, and restless sleep. A free consultation is a great first step to identify what's going on.

Is myofunctional therapy only for children?

Not at all. While early intervention is ideal, adults benefit significantly from therapy as well — especially those dealing with sleep apnea, TMJ discomfort, teeth grinding, or chronic fatigue related to poor sleep quality.

How long does myofunctional therapy take? 

Your unique symptoms, root cause, and commitment to Weekly Sessions and At-home Therapy will directly impact the length of your therapy program. As with other disorders, it all depends on the type of problem we are treating, the severity of the problem, and patient compliance with recommended treatment. The average time is 4-6 months, but some people may need therapy for around 12 months. Progress is gradual but measurable, and most patients notice improvements in sleep and breathing well before completing the full program. Your estimated therapy length will be discussed with you at your initial evaluation.

Do you work with orthodontists or other providers? 

Yes. Myofunctional therapy is frequently recommended before or alongside orthodontic treatment, tongue-tie release, or airway-focused dental care. I maintain an active referral network and communicate directly with your other providers when appropriate.

Ready to Take the First Step?

If you're in the Lake Norman area — Statesville, Mooresville, Hickory, Troutman, or nearby — and you're wondering whether mouth breathing or tongue posture may be affecting your child's development or your own health, I'd love to connect.

Request a free consultation call with Elisha.

"Your body was designed to breathe well. When it does, everything else tends to follow!" -Elisha

Elisha Allred, BS, AOMT-C is a Registered Dental Hygienist and Certified Orofacial Myofunctional Therapist with 26 years of clinical experience. She serves children and adults in Statesville, Mooresville, Hickory, Troutman, and the greater Lake Norman area of North Carolina.