Additionally, mouth breathing causes the jaws to grow incorrectly, the tongue to hang lower in the mouth, the upper palate to constrict and narrow, in turn causing a restricted nasal cavity space, as well as crooked teeth.
As a result, children who suffer from mouth breathing develop a retrognathic (pushed back) lower jaw and chin, and generally have a long face. This is an example of “form following function” – poor bone structure and muscle formation will occur from poor breathing function (mouth breathing).
As well as affecting jaw and facial development, the medical profession now recognizes that mouth breathing is one of the main contributors of Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB).
SDB is a serious medical condition that left untreated can lead to Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and other significant health problems. Sleep is often disturbed and of poor quality, leaving the mouth breathing child with fatigue, lack of focus, and behavioral and cogitative issues during the day.