Nose vs. Mouth Breathing: A Myofunctional Therapy Perspective
Did you know how you breathe can shape your oral health, facial growth, and even your sleep quality? As dental and myofunctional professionals, we see every day how something as simple as mouth breathing can lead to big changes in the way the face and jaw develop — especially in children.
Understanding the difference between nose breathing and mouth breathing is one of the most important steps toward achieving better oral function, posture, and long-term health.
Why Nose Breathing Is So Important
From a myofunctional therapy standpoint, nasal breathing is ideal for both function and development. Here’s why:
1. It supports proper tongue posture.
When you breathe through your nose, the tongue naturally rests against the roof of the mouth. This helps shape the upper jaw, maintain a wide dental arch, and promote a balanced facial structure.
2. It maintains a healthy oral environment.
Nose breathing keeps the mouth closed and moist. This supports saliva flow, which helps prevent cavities, gum inflammation, and bad breath.
3. It encourages better sleep and airway function.
Nasal breathing allows for efficient oxygen exchange and reduces snoring or nighttime airway collapse, improving both sleep quality and energy levels.
4. It guides healthy facial growth in children.
For kids, consistent nasal breathing helps the jaws grow properly and teeth align naturally — reducing the need for extensive orthodontic treatment later.
How Mouth Breathing Affects Oral Function
When the mouth stays open for breathing, the entire oral system adapts to that posture — often in ways that create long-term problems:
- Low tongue posture: The tongue drops to the floor of the mouth, leading to narrow arches and crowded teeth.
- Dry mouth and higher cavity risk: Saliva flow decreases, allowing harmful bacteria to thrive.
- Changes in facial growth: Chronic mouth breathing can cause a longer face, narrow jaw, and weaker chin profile.
- Open mouth posture and poor lip seal: These habits can impact speech, swallowing, and appearance.
- Sleep-disordered breathing: Mouth breathing at night is often linked to snoring or mild sleep apnea.
Why Mouth Breathing Happens
There are several reasons people develop a mouth-breathing habit, such as:
- Nasal congestion or chronic allergies
- Enlarged tonsils or adenoids
- Structural nasal issues (like a deviated septum)
- Habitual open-mouth posture developed early in life
Often, these issues start in childhood — and without correction, they can persist into adulthood.
How Myofunctional Therapy Can Help
Orofacial myofunctional therapy (OMT)
is a series of exercises and techniques that retrain the muscles of the mouth, tongue, and face to work the way they’re meant to.
Through myofunctional therapy, we focus on:
- Establishing nasal breathing as the default pattern
- Training proper tongue posture (on the palate)
- Developing a closed-lip resting position
- Coordinating correct swallowing and oral muscle function
These changes don’t just improve breathing — they enhance oral health, support orthodontic treatment, and even improve facial balance and appearance.
Breathe Better, Live Better
If you or your child habitually breathe through the mouth, it’s not just a breathing issue — it’s a functional issue that can affect long-term health and development.
At Speedvale Dental Centre, our team is trained in myofunctional therapy and airway-focused dentistry. We can help identify the root cause of mouth breathing and create a customized plan to restore proper oral function and healthy breathing patterns.
Ready to take the first step toward better breathing and better health?
Schedule a consultation today to learn how myofunctional therapy can help you or your child achieve optimal oral function — one breath at a time.
If you are concerned about your overall health and that of your family, and you believe that natural products and services are vital to one’s health, then full body health dentistry just may be the right option for you. Full body health dentistry, sometimes called biological, biocompatible, natural or integrative dentistry is certainly not a new approach to dental care. Nearly forty years ago (in 1978), the Holistic Dental Association was formed by a group of concerned, dedicated dentists interested in the development and sharing of long established and health-promoting treatment options. These were modes of dental treatment not included in western dental schools’ curriculums. These founding member dentists believed that most dental problems could be corrected and improved all while working in harmony with the body as a whole. Full body health dentistry recognizes the important connection between the health of the mouth and that of the entire body (as established by traditional medical research studies). This natural, comprehensive approach concentrates on the whole body health of the patient and not just the condition of the teeth and gums. The full body health dentist, when caring for a diabetic patient for example, will help that patient understand the best practices for home and dental office oral hygiene care and how, by following a healthy diet and exercise program, he or she can manage blood sugar levels best. The full body health dentist may work in tandem with other like-minded health professionals such as Naturopaths, Chiropractors, Acupuncturists, and Osteopaths in an integrative approach to ensure the highest level and most sustainable results. While dentists everywhere focus on dental health and the treatment of oral disease, not all dentists also focus on their patients’ whole body or general health. And, as more and more people seek out more natural health care options, full body health dentistry presents itself as a healthy comprehensive health care alternative with the perfect blend of modern dentistry and natural healing methods.
People often ask questions like: “what’s the difference between a full body health dentist and a traditional dentist?” or “how similar is a full body health dentist to a traditional dentist?” All dentists receive the same basic education and training in dental school, that is, the same theory and the same methods of practice to become what is commonly known as a ‘general’ dentist. Some of these general dentists may have further developed, through continuing education courses and training, a subspecialty like: family dentist, cosmetic dentist or full body health dentist. A full body health dentist offers conventional and complementary dental care. Unlike a traditional dentist, who may focus on one particular tooth or gum problem, the full body health dentist focuses on an individual’s whole body health. By identifying underlying imbalances in the body, a full body health dentist safely and effectively treats the problem with a combination of natural remedies and modern dental treatment. The full body health dentist is keenly aware of the best, most comprehensive long-term treatments necessary for restoring a patient’s oral and, ultimately, total health. Like that of a traditional dentist, a full body health dentist’s approach to care can vary from practice to practice. Following are a few differences between a full body health dentist and a traditional dentist: The full body health dentist refrains from using materials that many people feel are inferior. Materials such as silver mercury (amalgam) fillings may, according to the IAOMT , lead to a metallic taste, mouth ulcers, gum or other problems in some people. Rather, the full body health dentist only uses what he/ she believes are safer, more biocompatible materials. The full body health dentist may consent to a patient’s desire to have older, deficient fillings removed, especially if they exhibit an established sensitivity to that material. If so, they would do so with a safe, controlled procedure that minimizes the patient’s exposure to potentially harmful by-products. The full body health dentist typically uses only digital x-ray systems thereby reducing emitted radiation by, in some cases, as much as 80% over traditional x-ray systems. The full body health dentist approaches the need for root canal therapy with increased scrutiny and investigation. Root canal therapy is seen, in many cases, as a comforting yet transitional mode of treatment. The full body health dentist is aware that a tooth treated with root canal therapy may exist in a weakened state and, in cases where the root canal therapy on a tooth is failing, may expose the patient to recurrent, yet localized infections. The full body health dentist is sensitive to some patients’ concerns over certain in-office anti-cavity treatments and, then, may suggest a more natural alternative or herbal remedy. All Ontario dentists, regardless of their practice orientation, are required to separate waste amalgam (as a source of mercury) from their municipality’s wastewater. Beyond that, the full body health dentist is very environmentally conscious and responsible. The full body health dentist creates an office environment that is safe, biocompatible and minimally invasive to prevent potentially harmful effects on patients and dental personnel alike. When choosing between dentists, whether full body health or traditional, it is very important to select one whose philosophy on health complements yours.
Before you buy that next tube of toothpaste you may want to check out the wide range of ingredients it may contain. But first… a short history on DIY teeth cleaning: Archaeological finds tell us that ancient Egyptians scrubbed their teeth with a combination of ox-hoof ashes, burnt eggshells and sand as far back as 5000 BC. Later, Romans are known to have used a combination of crushed ox bones and oyster shells, powdered charcoal and crushed tree bark. And, as recently as the 1700s, the citizens of England were using brick dust and crushed china in their teeth cleaning powders. Ingredients in Present Day Toothpaste Abrasives: These are basically particles which make the action of tooth-brushing more effective. Your toothpaste may contain Silica (made from sand), Alumina (natural or synthetic), Calcium Carbonate (from limestone or shellfish), or Dicalcium Phosphate (synthetic). None of these compounds would have any cleaning effect on the teeth, whatsoever, without the mechanical action of an accompanying toothbrush. Detergents: These create the ‘foaming’ effect and are another cleaning ingredient in toothpaste. They work to dissolve, loosen or breakdown substances on your teeth (plaque, tartar, and stains) so that they may be brushed and rinsed away more easily. Until recently, the most common detergent in toothpaste has been the synthetic compound Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) which, according to the American Dental Association, can cause increased gum irritation in people prone to mouth canker sores. SLS is definitely an ingredient of concern for many people and an increasing number of toothpaste formulations do not contain SLS. Fluoride: First introduced into toothpaste in 1914, it is arguably its most controversial ingredient. Manufacturers of toothpaste explain that Fluoride strengthens tooth enamel thereby making teeth less susceptible to cavities. True, but opponents of Fluoride argue that its negative effects on whole body health, especially the thyroid gland, far outweigh the purported enamel-strengthening benefit. Deemed a ‘medicinal’ ingredient, you will find Fluoride in toothpaste in the form of Sodium Fluoride, Stannous Fluoride or Sodium Monofluorophosphate (all synthetic). Fluoride containing toothpastes do not need a preservative as Fluoride also inhibits bacterial growth. Humectants, Binding Agents and Preservatives: The combination of these ingredients in toothpaste retains moisture and prevents the toothpaste from separating (as paint does), thereby preventing the need for stirring or kneading before each use. The most commonly used humectants are Glycerol (from animal sources or petroleum based oils), Propylene Glycol (chemically derived), and Sorbitol (from chemical or natural sources). Typical binding agents are Carrageenan (seaweed gum), Gum Arabic (sap from the Acacia tree), and Sodium Caboxymethylcellulose/ Magnesium Aluminum Silicate (both synthetics). Typically, preservatives used in non-fluoride containing toothpastes are Sodium Benzoate (synthetic), Methyl Paraben, or Ethyl Paraben – all gentle antibacterial or anti-fungal agents commonly used in foods, beverages, cosmetics and body care products. The parabens, as they are commonly known, can occur naturally though it is their more widely-used synthetic preparation from petrochemicals which concerns people, like Dr. David Suzuki , most. Triclosan, another controversial antibacterial ingredient, has just recently been banned, along with 18 other chemicals, by the FDA (in Sept. 2016) over fears that it will create antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria in some people. This order, however, does not take effect until Sept. 2017 so be sure to read the toothpaste label before purchasing, especially if it’s being offered up in large quantities at the dollar store or deeply discounted or “ON SALE” at your local drug or grocery store! Whitening or Bleaching Agents: These are either abrasives, like Silica and Mica (natural sources) present in greater amounts in ‘whitening formula’ toothpastes, that help to rub off stains like coffee and red wine… OR they are enzymes, like Glucose Oxidase and Lactoperoxidase (natural and synthetic respectively) that break down the protein in stains like tannins in wine. Anti-Tartar Agents: Agents like Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate (synthetic) have shown to prevent the formation of tartar, however they have no effect on existing tartar; a common misconception amongst toothpaste buying consumers. Sensitivity-Reducing Agents: Agents such as Potassium Nitrate or Strontium Chloride (both synthetics) basically plug up the open-ended microscopic tubules which make up the dentin of a tooth that has become exposed by gum recession or erosion of the outer enamel of the tooth. Like fluoride, these compounds are considered to be the other ‘medicinal’ ingredient in toothpaste. Flavouring Agents: Toothpaste would taste pretty blah if we did not, at least, neutralize the tastes associated with all of the above ingredients, especially the preservatives. For this reason you will always find various natural and artificial flavourings and sweeteners such as Saccharin, Aspartame, or Xylitol – each one of these having their own specific concerns amongst consumers. Colouring Agents: These are chemicals, artificial dyes actually, which add the visual appeal to toothpaste. Their formulas are proprietary and examples include Blue 1 and Green D&C#5. Titanium dioxide, another synthetic, is used to colour some toothpastes white. So, now that we’ve all “brushed up” on the facts as to what’s in toothpaste… are you even more confused than before? Well, if you are then I’d certainly understand. I had no idea myself just how many and how ‘different’, sometimes startling, ingredients can be found in the leading toothpastes. Colgate’s new Enamel Health formula, for example, contains some 20 different ingredients. And of those 20 ingredients only two, Fluoride (NaF) and Potassium Nitrate, are deemed ‘medicinal’ ingredients. Everything else, then, is non-medicinal ‘filler’ AND the non-medicinal ingredients outscore the medicinal ingredients by a ratio of 9:1! Who knew?