Many people sleep with their mouth agape, not realizing that it can lead to problems with dry mouth. If you sleep with your mouth closed, your saliva will flow better, and you will experience better dental health. While medicines often are to blame for reducing saliva flow, being a mouth breather does not help either.
Are You a Mouth Breather?
If you sleep with your mouth open or snore during the night, you are a mouth breather and need to correct the situation. Breathing through the mouth can be stopped by practicing certain techniques. For example, practice breathing through the nose and exhaling through the mouth. By being aware of your breathing, you can take steps to change. It. Also, clearing the nose will actually lead to better dental health. Blow your nose or use a nasal wash to keep breathing freely. These techniques will help you breathe through the nose and lead to better sleep habits as well.
How to Change the Way You Breathe by Taking on New Habits
People who breathe through the mouth may feel rushed. If this describes you, this can be easily remedied. Breathe deeply through the nose and exhale through the mouth whenever you are feeling anxious. Stay cognizant about how you are breathing during extremely stressful times. It can also help, when you sleep, to change the height of your pillow(s). Either sleep on a thicker pillow or add an extra pillow to reduce the chance that you will sleep with your mouth open. A daily walk or run can also help you breathe through your nose, as you will inhale more deeply. Sometimes, the construction of your nose is preventing you from breathing through the nostrils. Having surgery can mean the difference between breathing properly or continuing to breathe through your mouth. Do you breathe through your mouth? If so, contact our office for an evaluation and diagnosis. We can discuss the reason you breathe through the mouth and figure out ways to correct the problem. If mouth breathing is causing dry mouth, following the above tips can help you overcome the condition. Call us with your inquiries and to set up an appointment for an exam and cleaning.
