How Mouth Breathing Affects Craniofacial Development in Children
Mouth breathing is a common oral habit in children and is often associated with an obstruction of the upper airway. When children have difficulty breathing through their nose, they may begin to breathe partly or completely through their mouth. This can be caused by different nasal conditions, with enlarged adenoids and tonsils being common contributing factors (Lin et al., 2022). If mouth breathing continues over a long period of time, it may affect the normal development of the teeth, jaws, and face.
Children who regularly breathe through their mouths may develop changes in their facial growth and bite, depending on the cause and how long the habit continues. Mouth breathing can also affect oral health by increasing the risk of dental caries and periodontal disease (Lin et al., 2022). For this reason, recognizing and addressing persistent mouth breathing early may be important in reducing its potential effects on a child’s dental and facial development.
Beyond its effects on oral health, mouth breathing during early childhood has also been linked to changes in the development of the face and jaws. These can include the lower jaw sitting further back, a narrow and high palate, difficulty keeping the lips closed, and increased facial height. Since these changes can affect facial growth and the way the teeth come together, there is ongoing discussion about the role orthodontists should play in identifying and managing mouth breathing in young children (Kandasamy, 2025).
Early identification may provide an opportunity to identify and address its underlying cause before it has a greater effect on dental and facial development (Kandasamy, 2025). Dental professionals may therefore have an important role in recognizing signs of chronic mouth breathing during routine examinations and determining when further assessment or referral may be needed. While more research is needed to fully understand the relationship between mouth breathing and craniofacial development, early recognition remains an important consideration in promoting healthy dental and facial development.
Overall, mouth breathing highlights the importance of looking beyond the teeth when assessing a child’s oral health. Although this pattern does not affect every child in the same way, persistent changes in breathing may be a sign of an underlying issue that deserves attention. Acknowledging these patterns early allows dental professionals to consider the bigger picture and, when appropriate, work with other healthcare professionals to support the child’s oral and overall health.
References
Kandasamy, S. (2025). Mouth breathing and orthodontic intervention: Does the evidence support keeping our mouths shut? American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajodo.2025.02.005
Lin, L., Zhao, T., Qin, D., Hua, F., & He, H. (2022). The impact of mouth breathing on dentofacial development: A concise review. Frontiers in Public Health, 10.
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