Richmond Leader

• Breathing through the nose is a common practice in yoga, thanks to its many benefits.

• Physicians also recommend breathing through the nose, as it provides a natural filter.

• Breathing through the mouth can lead to poor oral health and bad breath.

Dr. John Ditto of Richmond Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers is echoing the sentiments of yoga practitioners with his recommendation that patients breathe through their nose, rather than their mouth.

KTM Yoga reports that, although it is advised people should breathe through their noses most of the time, as many as 60% of adults often breathe through their mouths.

“Mouth breathing is not effective,” Ditto told the Richmond Leader. “The nasal vestibule is the pathway to your health. The nose is a major filtering, immunity and anti-infection system in your body. Not only is the nose lined with a moist mucosa, which is sticky to catch particles, but it has immunoglobulins and immune cells there to help initiate early protection from infections. 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.”

Yogis have studied the role of breathing for centuries, with many yoga practices focusing on breathing through nose, as opposed to the mouth, according to UK-based company Heather Yoga. In addition to hair and mucus within the nose acting as filters that trap bacteria and dust, KTM Yoga says that nasal breathing increases oxygen intake and boosts brain activity. Another benefit of breathing through the nose is that it helps to slow airflow, which widens blood vessels and slows the heart rate, leading to a feeling of calm.

People who suffer from allergies or chronic sinus problems are more likely to breathe through their mouths, but mouth breathing can lead to oral health issues, according to McCarl Dental Group. Mouth breathing dries up saliva, allowing bacteria and plaque to build up on the teeth, which can cause cavities, gum disease and chronic bad breath. Regularly breathing through the mouth can also, over time, lead to strained jaw joints, snoring, sleep apnea, enlarged tonsils and a higher risk for airway disorders, such as asthma.

If you’re interested in learning more about diagnosing sinus problems or allergies, please take this Sinus Self-Assessment Quiz.