Dentists may be in best position to identify mouth breathing

Dentists may be in best position to identify mouth breathingU. S. researchers have said that since many see their dentists every six months dentists may be in a position to identify the symptoms of mouth breathing.

Children whose mouth breathing goes untreated may suffer from abnormal facial and dental development, gummy smiles, gingivitis and crooked teeth, study author Yosh Jefferson said.

Jefferson further said that mouth breathing can result in poor sleeping habits, which can hurt growth and academic performance.

Jefferson said in a statement, "Many of these children are misdiagnosed with attention deficit disorder and hyperactivity. In addition, mouth breathing can cause poor oxygen concentration in the bloodstream, which can cause high blood pressure, heart problems, sleep apnea and other medical issues. Children, who breathe through mouth, typically do not sleep well, causing them to be tired during the day and possibly unable to concentrate on academics."

Jefferson also noted that a dentist can check for mouth breathing symptoms such as swollen tonsils, which can be surgically removed, improving breathing. (With Inputs from Agencies)