We’re kicking off May Mouth Breathing Awareness Month with a conversation that every parent needs to hear.
When I first started in my field, I thought mouth breathing was just something kids did a harmless habit they’d eventually outgrow.
I was a mouth breather myself as a child. I saw it in my family. I even saw it in my patients. And for years, I accepted what I had been taught: “They’ll grow out of it.”
But today, I know the truth:
Mouth breathing isn’t just a habit. It’s a symptom.
It’s the body’s way of sending a clear message like a check engine light flashing on your car’s dashboard saying, “Something’s not right.”
In honor of Mouth Breathing Awareness Month, let’s explore why mouth breathing happens, how it impacts a child’s body, and why early intervention is critical.
Mouth Breathing Is a Symptom, Not the Root Cause
Mouth breathing doesn’t develop randomly. It’s a response the body’s survival strategy when nasal breathing isn’t possible.
Here are some of the most common root causes:
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Chronic nasal congestion (from allergies, enlarged adenoids, or inflammation)
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Oral structure issues (such as a high, narrow palate)
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Tongue ties or low tongue posture
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Poor sleep posture
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Low muscle tone or retained primitive reflexes
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Nervous system dysregulation impacting natural breath patterns
The body is designed to breathe through the nose.
When the nose is blocked or the tongue can’t support proper oral posture, the body switches to mouth breathing to survive.
While children may appear to “grow out of” mouth breathing, what they’re often growing into is deeper dysfunction.
That’s why recognizing and addressing the root cause early is so important.
How Mouth Breathing Impacts the Body
Long-term mouth breathing affects the entire body not just the mouth.
Some of the most significant effects include:
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Lower oxygen levels, leading to difficulties with brain function, focus, emotional regulation, and behavior
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Facial growth changes, such as a longer face, recessed chin, or underdeveloped jaws
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Fragmented sleep, resulting in snoring, teeth grinding, frequent night waking, and bedwetting
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Increased oral health issues, including higher risk of cavities, inflamed tonsils, and poor microbiome balance
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Digestive challenges, due to improper chewing and swallowing habits
Mouth breathing sets off a domino effect across a child’s developing body, affecting not only how they look but how they feel, learn, and function.
📍 Free Resource: Is Mouth Breathing Affecting Your Child?
If you’re not sure what to look for, I’ve created a free checklist for you:
“10 Red Flags That Mouth Breathing Is Disrupting Your Child’s Development.”
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The earlier we catch the signs, the better we can support our kids.
Why Many Providers Miss the Signs
One of the most frustrating realities for families is that mouth breathing often goes unnoticed by healthcare providers.
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Pediatricians may reassure parents, “They’ll grow out of it.”
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Dentists typically focus on teeth, not breathing patterns.
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Speech therapists address functional issues but may not evaluate airway health.
This isn’t necessarily their fault our system trains providers to focus on isolated parts, not the interconnected whole.
That’s exactly why I developed the SHIFT Method a root-cause, whole-child approach to healing, built on five pillars:
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Oxygen
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Water
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Nutrition
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Sleep
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Respecting the Body
Instead of simply telling kids to close their mouths, the SHIFT Method teaches their bodies how to function better creating long-term, sustainable change.
The Hidden Layers Beneath Mouth Breathing
While many popular tools today like Tooth Pillow and REM Straw offer valuable support, they often address only pieces of the puzzle.
In reality, many children who mouth breathe also struggle with deeper, often hidden, challenges such as:
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Retained primitive reflexes
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Connective tissue disorders (like Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome or POTS)
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Low muscle tone or neurodevelopmental delays
Mouth breathing is just the visible tip of the iceberg.
True healing requires a team approach, patience, and a willingness to look at the whole child, not just the mouth or sleep patterns alone.
Understanding this bigger picture is what sets families and children up for lasting success.
Moving Forward with Confidence
If you’re just starting to explore these issues, know this:
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You’re not too late.
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You’re not imagining things.
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You’re early and early makes all the difference.
By recognizing mouth breathing for what it truly is a symptom, not just a habit you’re taking a powerful first step toward supporting your child’s optimal health, growth, and development.
There’s so much more to come on how small signs in the mouth reveal big clues about a child’s overall wellbeing. Next week we will
