Mouth Breathing in Kids: Dental Implications Every Parent Should Know

Mouth breathing in children is more than just a habit — it can be a sign of an underlying issue and may lead to long-term dental and facial development concerns. As a parent, understanding how mouth breathing affects your child’s health is the first step toward early intervention and prevention.

What Is Mouth Breathing?

Mouth breathing occurs when a child primarily breathes through the mouth instead of the nose. While it's normal for children to occasionally breathe through their mouth (especially when they have a cold), chronic mouth breathing can indicate a structural or functional issue that needs to be addressed.

Causes of Mouth Breathing in Children

Common causes include:

• Allergies or nasal congestion

• Enlarged adenoids or tonsils

• Deviated nasal septum

• Habitual open-mouth posture

• Tongue tie or low tongue posture

• Asthma or chronic respiratory issues

These conditions can obstruct normal nasal airflow, causing the child to rely on mouth breathing for oxygen.

Dental and Facial Implications of Mouth Breathing

When mouth breathing becomes the norm, it can interfere with proper growth of the jaws and face. This is because nasal breathing helps maintain a balanced pressure that supports healthy oral and facial development.

Key dental concerns include:

• Narrowed dental arches

• Crowded or crooked teeth

• Open bite or long face syndrome

• Underdeveloped upper jaw (maxilla)

• High-arched palate

• Poor tongue posture and function

In some children, these changes can begin as early as toddlerhood if mouth breathing is left untreated.

Signs Your Child Might Be a Mouth Breather

You may notice:

• Snoring or noisy breathing at night

• Dry lips or dry mouth upon waking

• Chronic bad breath

• Forward head posture

• Daytime fatigue or poor sleep

• Long, narrow face shape

• Difficulty keeping lips closed

• Frequent runny nose or allergies

These symptoms often go hand-in-hand with poor sleep quality and may impact focus, behavior, and learning.

Why Early Detection Matters

Early detection of mouth breathing is essential because the younger the child, the more adaptable their bone growth is. Intervening during growth can guide the jaws and airway structures toward a healthier development path.

In many cases, mouth breathing is part of a bigger picture — such as tongue tie, improper swallowing, or skeletal underdevelopment — and may require a team approach involving:

• Dentists

• ENT specialists

• Myofunctional therapists

• Orthodontists

How Is Mouth Breathing Treated?

Treatment depends on the cause but may include:

1. Addressing Airway Obstructions

• ENT evaluation for tonsils/adenoids

• Allergy management

• Breathing exercises

2. Myofunctional Therapy

• Exercises to retrain nasal breathing

• Strengthening lip seal and tongue posture

3. Early Orthodontics or Expanders

• Jaw expansion to create space for proper tongue posture and nasal airflow

• Guidance of jaw and facial growth

4. Tongue Tie Release (if needed)

• Releasing restrictions that prevent proper tongue placement

Long-Term Benefits of Nasal Breathing

When nasal breathing is restored and maintained, children benefit from:

• Improved sleep and energy

• Better focus and mood

• Correct jaw and facial development

• Lower risk of orthodontic issues later

• Reduced risk of sleep apnea in adulthood

Final Thoughts

Mouth breathing in kids is not just a phase — it’s a red flag that could impact their dental health and overall development. The earlier the issue is identified and addressed, the better the outcomes. If you suspect your child is a mouth breather, book a consultation with a dental professional experienced in airway-focused care.

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Baby Tongue Tie: What Parents Need to Know

Tongue tie, or ankyloglossia, is a common but often misunderstood condition in babies. If you've been told your baby might have a tongue tie, you're not alone — many parents have never heard of it until it starts affecting feeding, speech, or overall development. In this article, we’ll explain what tongue tie is, how it’s diagnosed, the signs to watch for, and what treatment options are available.

What Is a Tongue Tie?

Tongue tie is a condition present at birth where the lingual frenulum — the small strip of tissue connecting the bottom of the tongue to the floor of the mouth — is too short, tight, or thick. This restricts the tongue’s normal range of motion.

In some babies, tongue tie may not cause any issues. But for others, it can lead to:

• Difficulty breastfeeding

• Problems with bottle feeding

• Poor weight gain

• Fussiness during feeding

Signs Your Baby Might Have a Tongue Tie

Here are some common signs parents and health professionals may notice:

• Difficulty latching during breastfeeding

• Clicking sounds while feeding

• Long or frequent feeding sessions

• Baby sliding off the nipple or frequently unlatching

• Gassiness or reflux-like symptoms

• A heart-shaped or notched tongue when baby cries

• Poor weight gain despite frequent feeds

• Nipple pain, blisters, or mastitis in the mother

It’s important to know that not all tongue ties cause problems — treatment is usually considered only if function is affected.

How Is Tongue Tie Diagnosed?

A proper diagnosis involves both clinical examination and observation of function. Dentists, lactation consultants, speech pathologists, or pediatricians experienced in oral restrictions will:

• Examine the shape and mobility of the tongue

• Assess breastfeeding or bottle-feeding techniques

• Consider the baby’s symptoms and maternal experience

In many cases, the provider may also check for a lip tie (tight tissue between the upper lip and gum), which can also contribute to feeding difficulties.

Treatment Options for Tongue Tie

If the tongue tie is impacting feeding, your healthcare provider may recommend a frenotomy — a simple procedure that releases the tie.

1. Frenotomy (Tongue Tie Release)

• A quick, low-risk procedure often done without anesthesia in infants

• The frenulum is snipped or lasered to free up tongue movement

• Minimal bleeding, often resolves feeding issues immediately or within days

2. Aftercare and Bodywork

After release, some babies benefit from:

• Stretching exercises to prevent reattachment

• Craniosacral therapy or chiropractic care to relieve body tension

• Lactation support to improve latch and milk transfer

What Happens If Tongue Tie Goes Untreated?

If left untreated and symptomatic, a restrictive tongue tie may lead to:

• Ongoing feeding challenges

• Speech development delays

• Dental crowding or palate shape issues

• Mouth breathing or snoring

• Difficulties with chewing and swallowing solid food

However, not every tongue tie needs intervention — decisions should be based on function, not just appearance.

Final Thoughts

Tongue tie in babies is treatable and manageable when addressed early. If you're concerned about your baby’s feeding or oral development, don’t hesitate to seek professional advice. A multi-disciplinary approach — involving a dentist, lactation consultant, and possibly a bodyworker — often leads to the best outcomes.

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Lip and Tongue-Tie Release: Common Questions Answered

Lip and tongue-ties can affect people at all ages, from babies who struggle with breastfeeding to adults with speech or oral health issues. If you're considering a release procedure, you likely have many questions. This post breaks it down in everyday language, backed by current research.

What Is a Lip or Tongue-Tie?

A tongue-tie happens when the tissue under the tongue is too short or tight, which can limit tongue movement. A lip-tie is similar, but affects the upper lip.

These restrictions can make everyday functions harder—especially in babies and young children—including:

• Breastfeeding or bottle-feeding

• Speech clarity

• Dental hygiene

• Mouth comfort

Studies show tongue-ties appear in about 4–11% of babies, and they’re more common in boys [1].

When Should They Be Treated?

Not every lip or tongue-tie needs treatment. If there's no impact on feeding, speech, or oral hygiene, then no procedure may be necessary.

But if a baby can’t latch properly during breastfeeding, or an older child has speech or dental issues linked to restricted movement, treatment may help [2].

What Is a Lip or Tongue-Tie Release?

The release procedure—called a frenotomy or frenectomy—involves snipping or removing the tight tissue. It's a quick and usually low-risk procedure performed by trained professionals like dentists, pediatricians, or ENT specialists.

There are different methods used, and all aim to achieve the same result: better movement and function. The choice of technique depends on the provider’s training and the specific case.

Does It Hurt?

For infants, the procedure is usually very quick—often under a minute. Some may cry briefly, but many feed right after, which is comforting and helps with healing.

Older children and adults usually receive local anesthesia to numb the area. Afterward, mild soreness or swelling can occur, but serious discomfort is uncommon.

Does It Help with Breastfeeding or Speech?

Yes, often. For babies, many studies report improvements in latching and feeding, and less pain for breastfeeding parents after the release [3,4].

In children with speech issues related to tongue-tie, some research shows clearer speech after treatment—especially when combined with speech therapy [5].

Still, not everyone sees the same results. Improvement depends on many factors, including the severity of the restriction, the child's age, and whether therapy or feeding support is also used.

Are There Any Risks?

The procedure is generally safe. However, possible risks include:

• Mild bleeding

• Temporary discomfort

• Infection (rare)

• The tissue growing back together (called reattachment), which may require re-treatment

Doing aftercare stretches, if recommended by your provider, can help prevent reattachment.

What Happens After the Procedure?

Aftercare often includes simple exercises to keep the area from healing too tightly. In babies, this might involve gentle stretching. For older children, it may include speech or oral therapy to improve function and comfort [6].

Following your provider’s instructions is important to get the best outcome.

Conclusion

Lip and tongue-tie release is a safe, simple procedure that can improve feeding, speech, and oral health when there’s a clear problem. It’s important to consult a qualified provider who can assess whether a tie is truly causing the issue and guide you through your options.

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References

1. Messner AH, Lalakea ML. Ankyloglossia: controversies in management. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2000 Feb 29;54(2-3):123-31. doi:10.1016/s0165-5876(00)00359-1.

2. Francis DO, Krishnaswami S, McPheeters M. Treatment of ankyloglossia and breastfeeding outcomes: a systematic review. Pediatrics. 2015 Jun;135(6):e1458–e1466. doi:10.1542/peds.2015-0658.

3. O'Shea JE, Foster JP, O'Donnell CP, Breathnach D, Jacobs SE, Todd DA, Davis PG. Frenotomy for tongue-tie in newborn infants. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017 Mar 11;3(3):CD011065. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD011065.pub2.

4. Walsh J, Links A, Boss E, Tunkel D. Ankyloglossia and lingual frenotomy: National trends in inpatient diagnosis and management in the United States, 1997–2012. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2017 Apr;156(4):735–740. doi:10.1177/0194599817690135.

5. Tecco S, Baldini A, Mummolo S, Marchetti E, Giuca MR, Marzo G, Gherlone EF. Frenulectomy of the tongue and the influence of rehabilitation exercises on the sEMG activity of masticatory muscles. J Electromyogr Kinesiol. 2015 Jun;25(3):619–28. doi:10.1016/j.jelekin.2015.04.003.

6. Zaghi S, Shamtoob S, Peterson C, Christianson L, Valcu-Pinkerton S, Peeran Z, et al. Assessment of posterior tongue mobility using lingual-palatal suction: Progress towards a functional definition of ankyloglossia. J Oral Rehabil. 2021 Jul;48(7):803–10. doi:10.1111/joor.13144.