Mouth breather syndrome causes several alterations in the stomatognathic apparatus that affect the child aesthetically, functionally and psychologically.
In the next post we will focus on voice and speech disorders.
Mouth breathing can cause the presence of dental malocclusion, it can hinder proper lip sealing, the correct position of the tongue at rest and ultimately the alteration of one function can affect other functions and structures of the phonoarticulatory system.
Due to the relationship between respiratory function, phonation and articulation of words, difficulties, bad habits or lack of control in the respiratory pattern can alter the correct process of articulation of words, which can lead to speech disturbances such as distortions in sounds due to incorrect air delivery.
What are the consequences of the habit of mouth breathing?
- The habit of mouth breathing causes problems for everyone, but children will be the most vulnerable because they are still developing.
- Breathing is a function of the stomatognathic system. It is directly involved in the production of voice and speech, and therefore its alterations can cause voice and speech to be altered.
- Breathing is the basis of the voice, if it is not done correctly the voice gets tired, the sound does not come out naturally and the words come out with effort.
- Breathing and speech are intimately related, to speak well you have to breathe well, when this does not happen speech is distorted, the rhythm is altered, etc.
- Some voice and speech disorders are caused by incorrect breathing technique.
- Phonorespiratory coordination avoids laryngeal tension.
- Oral respiration can change the morphology of the phonoarticulatory structures, affecting other functions of the stomatognathic system such as chewing and swallowing. In oral respiration, the position of the tongue at rest is anomalous, which favours atypical swallowing.
In these cases, the assessment of professionals in the field of dentistry is essential in speech therapy. At Midsa Odontología we have treatments for the regulation of respiratory function, the Aragao Function Regulation (RFA) device, which in coordination with the speech therapist's treatment will ensure that the treatment is successful.
Here are some orofacial exercises by age to exercise correct breathing and speech development.
From 0 to 3 months:
Caressing the corners.
Stroke upper and lower lip (down the centre)
Use a brush to brush the lips.
Stroke cheeks with a cotton feather or cloth.
We offer you the finger to suck or grab.
We offer him an object for his lips and try to remove it.
3 to 6 months
Playing at changing expressions.
Cheek combing (brush).
Caress the face.
Blow face gently.
Playing kissing games.
From 6 months to 1 year:
Imitating facial expressions
Tongue games
From 1 to 3 years
Stretch the lips.
Pursing the lips.
Different movements with the tongue (in-out, side to side, up and down).
Inflate and deflate cheeks.
Inflate one cheek and inflate the other.
Vibrate the lips.
From 3 years old:
Inflate balloons.
Try to keep the balloon floating in the air by blowing.
Move little balls of paper or plasticine with a straw, play races, football, etc.
Blow through a straw into a glass of water.
Blowing up soap bubbles.
Keeping soap bubbles suspended in the air
Playing the flute.
