You may have noticed that your child sleeps with their mouth open and are wondering if it’s just a habit or if it’s actually something more serious.
At Bloom Orthodontics, we know from experience that mouth breathing is common in children. However, chronic nighttime mouth breathing can affect a child’s quality of sleep and overall health.
You can help your child stop breathing through their mouth at night by trying simple at-home strategies, practicing daytime nose breathing, and seeking professional support to address the root cause. These steps can guide your child toward healthier breathing patterns for more restful sleep.
The Impact of Nighttime Mouth Breathing
Breathing through the nose is the body’s natural and preferred way to breathe. When your child breathes through their mouth all night, they miss out on the benefits of nasal breathing. This can impact their rest and well-being.
Signs Your Child Breathes Through Their Mouth
You might see a few common signs that your child may be breathing through their mouth while they sleep. Look out for things like:
- Snoring or noisy breathing
- Waking up with a dry mouth or sore throat
- Frequent wake-ups during the night
- Dark circles under the eyes
- Daytime sleepiness or irritability
If you notice a combination of these signs, it might be worth investigating further, as the same symptoms can also indicate pediatric sleep apnea.
How It Affects Sleep & Development
Constant mouth breathing can lead to restless nights. Over time, poor sleep quality can affect everything from your child’s mood and focus at school to the development of their teeth and facial structure.
Simple At-Home Strategies to Try First
Before you explore other options, you can make a few changes at home to promote better breathing habits for your child.
Adjust Your Child’s Sleep Position
Gently encourage your child to sleep on their side instead of their back. A small pillow can help support this position. You can also elevate their head slightly with an extra pillow—this may open up their airways and make nasal breathing easier.
Create a Clean & Healthy Sleep Space
Dust and allergens can contribute to nasal congestion, which may lead to mouth breathing. Keep your child’s bedroom clean, wash bedding often, and consider an air purifier to remove common irritants from the air.
Use a Humidifier for Moist Air
Dry air can irritate nasal passages and the throat, making it uncomfortable to breathe through the nose. A humidifier adds moisture to the air, which can soothe airways and reduce congestion.
Guide Your Child Toward Nasal Breaths
With practice and consistency, you can guide your child towards healthier breathing patterns both day and night.
Practice Nasal Breaths by Day
Encourage your child to consciously breathe through their nose during the day. You can make it into a quiet game or a gentle reminder. The more they practice while awake, the more natural it will become during sleep.
Try the 4-7-8 Relaxation Method
This simple breathing exercise can help calm the body before bed. Have your child breathe in through their nose for a count of four, hold their breath for a count of seven, and exhale slowly through their mouth for a count of eight. This promotes nasal breathing and relaxation.
Why Mouth Breathing Happens
Mouth breathing is often a response to a blockage or inflammation that makes it difficult to breathe through the nose.
Blocked Nasal Passages
Allergies, colds, or sinus infections can all cause temporary nasal congestion. The resulting blockage makes it hard to get enough air through the nose, so the body defaults to breathing through the mouth to get the oxygen it needs.
Enlarged Tonsils & Adenoids
For some children, enlarged tonsils or adenoids can obstruct the airway at the back of the throat. This is a common reason for chronic mouth breathing and snoring, especially in young children.
When to Seek Professional Support
If your child snores loudly at night, seems to stop breathing for short periods while sleeping, or is excessively tired during the day, a professional evaluation is a good idea. These symptoms can all be signs of underlying issues that need attention.
How a Professional Can Help
At Bloom Orthodontics, our team includes professionals with experience in airway health who can assess your child’s anatomy, including their jaw, palate, and airway. We can determine if a physical obstruction or developmental pattern is contributing to your child’s mouth breathing habit.Schedule a consultation with us to explore solutions that support your child’s development.