How Mouth Breathing Affects Your Health—And What to Do About It
Most people in Stephenville and Eastland don’t think about breathing. It’s automatic. But what if the way we breathe—especially at night—is quietly undermining our health, sleep, focus, and development?
Dr. LaDuque has spent years helping patients improve their wellness through simple, practical tools. One of the most surprising? Learning to breathe through your nose instead of your mouth.
The Silent Problem: Mouth Breathing
Studies show that up to 50% of adults are habitual mouth breathers at night, often without realizing it (Abreu et al., 2020). For kids, the number can be even higher. This disrupts oxygen intake, affects sleep quality, and alters jaw development.
For men, women, and children in rural communities—especially those dealing with allergies, dry air, and dust—nasal dysfunction is often treated as normal. It’s not. And there’s a better way.
What Mouth Breathing Does to Your Body
- Reduces Nitric Oxide Production: Nasal breathing releases nitric oxide, which improves oxygen delivery to tissues (Lundberg et al., 1996).
- Disrupts Sleep: Mouth breathers are more likely to snore, grind teeth, or suffer from obstructive sleep apnea.
- Impacts Facial Growth in Kids: Long-term mouth breathing during development can lead to narrow jaws, misaligned teeth, and poor posture.
- Dries Out Tissues: Breathing through the mouth dehydrates the gums and tongue, increasing cavity risk and bad breath.
How to Know If You or Your Child Is a Mouth Breather
- Dry mouth or throat upon waking
- Snoring or noisy nighttime breathing
- Waking tired despite 7–9 hours of sleep
- Chronic nasal congestion or allergies
- Open-mouth posture while reading, watching TV, or resting
The Fix: Simple Tools That Work
At Dental Excellence, Dr. LaDuque recommends non-invasive interventions to retrain your breathing and support overall wellness:
- Mouth Tape: Gentle, hypoallergenic strips worn at night that keep the lips closed to encourage nasal breathing.
- Nasal Dilators: Small, soft inserts that expand the nostrils and improve airflow—great for allergy sufferers.
- Humidifiers: Adding moisture to the air helps reduce nasal inflammation and dryness.
- Myofunctional Therapy: Exercises that strengthen the tongue and mouth muscles to support closed-mouth posture.
Why It Matters in Rural Texas
In Stephenville and Eastland, dust, allergens, and high pollen counts can make nasal breathing harder. But that’s exactly why prevention matters more. Instead of another prescription, Dr. LaDuque helps patients build habits that restore natural function.
It’s not just about better sleep. It’s about energy, mood, and long-term vitality.
Real Results
A local teen struggling with poor focus and constant congestion started mouth taping and using a nasal dilator. Within weeks, his sleep quality improved and teachers noticed better classroom attention. A dad who snored nightly stopped waking up groggy after adding tape and a humidifier to his routine.
“Your mouth wasn’t made for breathing. Your nose was. When we restore that function, the whole body responds.” — Dr. LaDuque
Citations
- Abreu, Regina R., et al. “Etiology, clinical manifestations and concurrent findings in mouth-breathing children.” Journal of Pediatrics (Rio J), vol. 84, no. 6, 2020, pp. 529–535.
- Lundberg, J. O., et al. “Nasal nitric oxide in man.” Thorax, vol. 50, no. 8, 1996, pp. 747–752.
- Puhan, M. A., et al. “Didgeridoo playing as alternative treatment for obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome: randomised controlled trial.” BMJ, vol. 332, no. 7536, 2006, pp. 266–270.
Explore More from the Wellness Series
- The Morning Good Stuff →
- Whole Health Starts in the Mouth →
- Intentional Living →
- Men Need Rhythm, Not Rescue →
- The Wellness Shelf →
Author: Dr. LaDuque, Dental Excellence
Location: Stephenville & Eastland, TX