Richmond Leader

• Mouth breathing can lead to dental issues, including gingivitis and cavity development.
• As many as 60% of adults breathe through their mouth.
• Procedures such as a balloon sinuplasty or endoscopy can help a patient to breathe better through their nose.

Dr. John Ditto, a board-certified otolaryngologist with Richmond Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers, said "mouth breathing is not effective" and that how a patient breathes is a gateway to the rest of their health.

"The nose is an anti-infection system in your body," Ditto told the Richmond Leader. "Not only is it lined with a moist mucosa, and sticky to catch particles and so forth, but it has immunoglobulins and immune cells there to help initiate early protection from infections. Also, it helps to decrease the flow of these pathogens and allergens into the lungs, and we know that the nose and the lungs are considered a unified airway, in the sense that allergies affect the nose. They cause congestion and drainage, but in the lungs, they cause bronchoconstriction and mucus production and asthma."

Mouth breathing can not only lead to dry mouth, but it also creates the right environment for both cavities and gingivitis, according to Healthline.

KTM Yoga reported that, although people should breathe through their noses most of the time, as many as 60% of adults breathe more frequently through their mouths. Nasal breathing is a beneficial because it increases oxygen intake and boosts brain activity. Another added bonus of breathing through the nose is that it helps to slow airflow, which widens blood vessels and slows the heart rate, leading to a more relaxed feeling.

People who suffer from allergies or chronic sinus issues are more likely to breathe through their mouths, but mouth breathing can lead to oral health issues, according to the McCarl Dental Group. Mouth breathing dries up saliva, which then allows bacteria and plaque to build up on the teeth. That can cause cavities, gum disease and chronic bad breath. 

According to WebMD, people who suffer from chronic sinusitis have several treatment options, including endoscopy and balloon sinuplasty. During endoscopy, doctors insert thin, flexible instruments called endoscopes into the nose. One instrument has a small camera lens that sends images back to a screen, allowing a doctor to see where the sinuses are blocked and guide the other instruments to gently remove polyps, scar tissue and other blockages. 

During a balloon sinuplasty, doctors place a thin tube into the nose with a small balloon attached to one end. The doctor then guides the balloon to the blocked area inside the nose and inflates it. The balloon helps clear the passageway so the sinuses can drain properly, alleviating congestion.

If you're interested in learning more about the symptoms of sinusitis and allergies, take this Sinus Self-Assessment Quiz.