- (905) 785-3439
- info@appledaydental.ca
- 3041 Argentia Road Mississauga, ON, L5N 8P7.
Sleeping with your mouth open may seem so normal that it’s often the subject of jokes, but what many people don’t realize is that over time it can affect oral health—not only by reducing the quality of your sleep but also by causing improper development of the jaws and the face in general.
“How to stop sleeping with your mouth open” is a question that’s likely on your mind, but to figure out the “how,” you first need to understand the “why.”
At Appleday Dental Care in Mississauga, we help patients identify the underlying causes of mouth breathing and offer personalized solutions for people who sleep with their mouths open, whether for simpler cases or for those with more serious conditions such as Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).
*Appleday Dental Care does not intend for this article to replace an in-person evaluation by a professional
Breathing through your mouth while sleeping can cause several problems, including:
Saliva plays a vital role in protecting your teeth and gums. When you breathe through your mouth, saliva production decreases, leaving your mouth more vulnerable to bacteria.
There is a basic premise we must start with: breathing through the mouth during sleep is usually a sign that something is interfering with normal nasal breathing, but the causes can vary widely, ranging from temporary to long-term issues. The most common are:
Allergies, colds, or sinus problems can block the nasal passages, causing involuntary mouth breathing.
A structural problem in the nose can make nasal breathing difficult.
Adenoid hypertrophy is a common problem in children; it usually develops during pregnancy, but it can also occur following a viral infection. This is especially common in children and can restrict airflow.
Sleeping on your back in an improper position or in certain positions can lead to mouth breathing.
In some people, during deep sleep (NREM stage 3), the facial muscles relax, which can cause the mouth to open.
One of the most important conditions to consider is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
OSA is a sleep disorder in which the airways become partially or completely blocked during sleep. This can lead to:
When airflow through the nose is restricted due to airway collapse, the body compensates by breathing through the mouth.
If left untreated, sleep apnea can increase the risk of serious health problems, including heart disease, high blood pressure, strokes, and even death. According to Dream Sleep Respiratory:
At Appleday Dental Care, we have extensive experience treating patients with OSA using oral devices. Having firsthand knowledge of each of these devices, we recommend to our patients what we consider to be the best on the market: Panthera Sleep.
Panthera Sleep creates custom-designed medical devices that help keep the airways open during sleep. These devices are:
At Appleday Dental Care, we evaluate whether patients can benefit from these types of devices as part of a comprehensive plan to treat obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
If you’re an adult who breathes through your mouth, there are several practical strategies you can try to break this bad habit.
If congestion is the problem, focus on clearing your nasal passages:
Breathing freely through your nose is the first step to keeping your mouth closed while you sleep.
Sleeping on your back can increase the likelihood of mouth breathing. Try sleeping on your side using a supportive pillow to keep your head aligned and slightly elevated.
These adjustments will help maintain proper airway alignment.
Your breathing habits while awake often carry over into sleep.
We recommend:
This helps train your body to naturally default to nasal breathing.
Some people find relief by using soft chin straps or specialized mouth tapes to encourage nasal breathing.
However, this should only be considered if:
If you suspect you have sleep apnea, consult a professional before trying these methods.
If mouth breathing persists, it is important to identify the underlying cause.
At Appleday Dental Care, we evaluate various factors that contribute to sleep habits in each of our patients, such as: airway health, jaw alignment, signs of sleep disorders, and the impact on oral health.
If necessary, we can recommend custom-made oral devices or refer you for a more comprehensive sleep evaluation.
Whether in adults or children, addressing mouth breathing early can prevent complications such as:
At Appleday Dental Care in Mississauga, we understand that oral health and sleep health are closely linked. Our team provides personalized care to help patients identify the causes of mouth breathing and find the most effective solutions.
Whether you’re concerned about your own sleep habits or your child’s breathing patterns, we’re here to help you achieve healthier, more restful sleep, starting with better breathing.
