Signs to look for if you suffer from Silent Breathing Problems

Here are a few symptoms: ADD/ADHD ✅ a child bed wetting but potty trained ✅ Frequently wake up at night ✅ trouble in school (especially subjects Math, Science, Spelling) ✅ Mouth Breathing ✅ Snoring ✅ Restless Sleep ✅ delayed or stunted growth ✅ Nightmares ✅ Irritability ✅ Anger ✅ Morning Headaches ✅ Chronic Allergies/Eczema/Asthma ✅ Depression ✅ Tooth grinding ✅ swollen Adenoids / Tonsils ✅ Aggressive behavior ✅ Daytime drowsiness ✅ Peer problems / few friends ✅ sleep talking/walking

The most common reason for improper air exchange to and from the lungs is mouth breathing at night.  This constricts the airway at the back of the throat. The image above shows airway constriction from opening your mouth just 1/2 inch. This occurred in 43% of cases in a study of 500 people; Stevens & Bergersoen, 2016.

Also, a high palate restricts air passage thru the nose. Crooked teeth restrict airways space and space for the tongue to rest. A tongue tie prevents proper tongue and jaw position. Swollen Adenoids and Tonsils restrict airflow.

Restricted Airflow reduces the amount of oxygen and increases CO2

This reduces your REM sleep which affects your brain function, endocrine and immune systems.

Your Nose aids in 5 functions: ❎ air passageway ❎ warms and moisten air ❎ the cilia and mucous membrane trap dust, pollen, bacteria, and other foreign particles ❎ it has the olfactory receptors for smell ❎ and it aids in phonation and the quality of the voice. ❎ It’s a very important tool for oxygenation while we sleep!

Dental professionals have the tools to impact oxygen intake and decrease carbon dioxide buildup.  Get an evaluation even if you don’t check any of the boxes but have a suspicion you may suffer from sleep deprivation. We are here to help.