Breathing is an innate and vital human function. Normal breathing, also called nasal breathing, is when air is inhaled and exhaled through the nose, keeping the mouth closed. Mouth or mixed breathing may cause oral and systemic problems for those who suffer from it. Mouth breathing constitutes a syndrome called "Mouth Breathing Syndrome", which can be diagnosed by obstructive, anatomical or habit-related causes. The repercussions are varied: the shape of the palate, body balance, speech articulation, swallowing, feeding and other functions are altered.
Mouth breathing in children and young people causes postural alterations such as: thoracic hyperkyphosis, shoulder protrusion, elevation and abduction of the scapulae, and advancement of the cephalic posture. In addition, the accentuated curvature of the dorsal spine, the advancement of the shoulders, the ascent and separation of the shoulder blades cause changes in body balance that determine an increase in lumbar lordosis and anterior projection of the pelvis to compensate for the imbalance in the altered posture.
Based on comparative studies, the authors demonstrate a positive association between abnormal cephalic posture (head forward) and a predominance of mouth breathing. The persistence of mouth breathing alters the biomechanics of the musculature of the stomatognathic system. Maintaining statics and balance in children is embarrassing due to the disproportionate size of the head in relation to the body. In addition, in pre-adolescence and adolescence, postural adjustments are necessary to achieve balance compatible with the changes in body proportions and the greater range of movement.
Mouth and/or mixed breathing is associated with changes in posture, feeding, wake-sleep cycle, behaviour and physical and intellectual performance in children and young people. Chronic postural vices are difficult to correct over time, affecting the musculoskeletal system involved in body posture. This coincides with the repercussions on functions of the stomatognathic system such as chewing, swallowing, phonation, taste, smell, lingual and mandibular posture, among others.
Early detection of signs and symptoms of the so-called "Mouth Breather Syndrome" is paramount in order to provide re-education and preventive measures together with coordinated and comprehensive multidisciplinary care for children and adolescents.
At Midsa we are specialists in the treatment of this pathology using the Aragao Function Regulator (AFR) technique, a treatment that reaches all parts of the human body starting from the mouth, integrating the functions of the encephalic nerves, such as breathing, chewing, swallowing, smell, taste, hearing, balance and vision.
