Is Your Mouth Breathing Causing Your Jaw to Overwork?

Sep 17

Breathing is something most of us don’t think twice about, but how you breathe—whether through your nose or mouth—can have a significant impact on your overall health, especially when it comes to your jaw and facial structure. At Bob Perkins DDS (Smiles in Malibu), we’ve seen how mouth breathing can cause your jaw to overwork, leading to a range of dental and health issues. Let’s explore why mouth breathing matters, how it affects your jaw, and what you can do to address this common but often overlooked problem.

Why Mouth Breathing Happens

Mouth breathing is typically the result of an obstruction in the nasal airway. This can occur due to a variety of reasons, such as:

Allergies or chronic nasal congestion
Enlarged tonsils or adenoids
Deviated septum
Habitual breathing patterns

While occasional mouth breathing is normal, chronic mouth breathing can lead to a host of problems, including dry mouth, poor sleep quality, and even dental issues.

How Mouth Breathing Affects Your Jaw

One of the most significant effects of chronic mouth breathing is how it impacts your jaw. Normally, when you breathe through your nose, your tongue rests on the roof of your mouth, providing support to your upper jaw and encouraging proper alignment. However, with mouth breathing, your tongue often rests at the bottom of your mouth, which alters the natural posture of your jaw and forces it to work harder to compensate.

Dr. Bob Perkins, a specialist in facial and dental proportions, explains, “Mouth breathing changes the way your jaw functions. Over time, this can lead to an overworked jaw, causing pain, discomfort, and even changes in facial structure.”

Signs Your Jaw is Overworking Due to Mouth Breathing

If you’re unsure whether your mouth breathing is affecting your jaw, here are some common signs to look out for:

1. Jaw Pain or Discomfort

An overworked jaw can lead to pain or discomfort, especially around the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). This joint connects your jawbone to your skull, and when it’s overworked, it can result in temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD), which causes jaw pain, difficulty chewing, and clicking or popping sounds.

2. Frequent Headaches

Overworking your jaw can also lead to frequent tension headaches. The constant strain on your jaw muscles can radiate up to your temples, leading to discomfort that may be mistaken for a headache.

3. Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)

Mouth breathing can cause your jaw to overcompensate, leading to bruxism, or teeth grinding. This not only wears down your teeth but also places extra strain on your jaw muscles, exacerbating jaw fatigue and discomfort.

4. Changes in Facial Structure

Over time, chronic mouth breathing can actually change the shape of your face. Mouth breathers tend to develop longer, narrower faces with a more recessed jawline. This occurs because the lack of tongue support and improper jaw alignment affect facial proportions.

The Connection Between Mouth Breathing and TMJ Disorders

Mouth breathing and TMJ disorders are often closely linked. When you breathe through your mouth, your jaw remains in a forward position for extended periods, which places undue stress on the temporomandibular joint. This can lead to TMJ dysfunction, which is characterized by:

Jaw pain or stiffness
Difficulty opening or closing your mouth
Popping or clicking sounds when moving your jaw

Treating mouth breathing and addressing the underlying causes of TMJ disorders is essential for preventing long-term damage to your jaw and improving overall comfort.

How to Address Mouth Breathing and Overworked Jaws

If you suspect that your mouth breathing is causing your jaw to overwork, the good news is that there are effective treatments available. At Bob Perkins DDS, we offer several solutions to help patients correct their breathing patterns and relieve jaw strain.

1. Nasal Breathing Exercises

One of the simplest ways to reduce mouth breathing is by practicing nasal breathing exercises. These exercises help train your body to breathe through your nose, encouraging proper tongue placement and jaw posture.

2. Orthodontic Treatment

For patients with structural issues, such as misaligned teeth or a narrow jaw, orthodontic treatment may be necessary to correct the problem. Expanding the jaw or realigning the teeth can help create more space in the airway, making nasal breathing easier.

3. Myofunctional Therapy

Myofunctional therapy involves exercises designed to strengthen the muscles of the tongue and face. This therapy helps improve tongue posture, encourages nasal breathing, and supports proper jaw function.

4. Surgical Interventions

In cases where mouth breathing is caused by a physical obstruction, such as enlarged tonsils or a deviated septum, surgical intervention may be necessary to correct the issue. By removing the obstruction, patients can return to nasal breathing, reducing the strain on their jaws.

Prevent Long-Term Damage with Early Treatment

The sooner you address mouth breathing and its effects on your jaw, the better your outcomes will be. Chronic mouth breathing not only impacts your dental health but can also have long-term consequences for your facial structure and overall well-being. By treating the underlying cause and supporting healthy breathing patterns, you can prevent further complications and enjoy a more comfortable, balanced jaw.

Contact Bob Perkins DDS for a Consultation

If you suspect that your mouth breathing is causing your jaw to overwork, don’t wait to seek help. Contact Bob Perkins DDS today to schedule a consultation and learn more about how we can help you improve your breathing, relieve jaw pain, and restore proper function. Our expert team is dedicated to helping patients achieve optimal oral health and facial harmony.