The Link Between Mouth Breathing, Poor Tongue Posture, and Crowded Teeth: A Holistic Approach

Let’s talk about something you might not even realise is affecting your child’s health and development: mouth breathing and poor tongue posture. Yep, you heard that right! The way your child breathes and where their tongue sits can actually shape their teeth, palate, and even their facial structure. If you’ve noticed crowded teeth or a narrow palate, it might not just be down to genetics. Let's dive into why this happens, what contributes to it, and how a holistic approach can help.

The Importance of Tongue Posture & Nasal Breathing

First off, let’s cover what proper tongue posture actually looks like. Ideally, your child’s tongue should rest gently on the roof of their mouth, with lips closed and teeth slightly apart. This might sound like a minor detail, but that little bit of pressure from the tongue helps guide the upper jaw’s growth into a wide, U-shaped arch. And guess what? That means more room for teeth to come in nice and straight.

But it’s not just about the tongue — nasal breathing is crucial too! Our noses are designed to filter, humidify, and warm the air we breathe, giving our bodies the optimal oxygen boost they need. Plus, when we breathe through our noses, the tongue naturally rests up against the palate. However, thanks to allergies, blocked noses, or other issues, many kids end up defaulting to mouth breathing — and that’s where the trouble begins.

How Mouth Breathing Can Cause Problems

When kids breathe through their mouths, it’s not just noisy snoring or a dry mouth you have to worry about. Mouth breathing often means the tongue is hanging down low in the mouth instead of resting where it should be. Without that constant upward pressure from the tongue, the upper jaw doesn’t get the gentle, consistent force needed to expand properly.

As a result, the palate can become narrow and high instead of broad and flat. The cheeks and lips then push inward, and you end up with less room for those little teeth to grow in straight. This can lead to crowding, crooked teeth, and even affect how your child’s face develops. Kids who mouth breathe often have longer faces, recessed chins, and even dark circles under their eyes due to reduced oxygen flow.

The Domino Effect on Facial Development

The combination of mouth breathing and poor tongue posture can create a whole range of issues:

• Crowded Teeth: Without enough space in the upper jaw, teeth get crowded and misaligned.

• Narrow Palate: A narrow, high-arched palate can make it harder for kids to breathe through their noses, which just keeps the cycle going.

• Facial Structure Changes: Chronic mouth breathing can cause the lower jaw to rest further back, leading to a less defined chin and a longer facial appearance.

These problems aren’t just cosmetic. A narrow palate can also reduce airway space, making it harder to breathe — especially at night. If you’ve ever noticed your child snoring or waking up tired, poor oral posture could be playing a big part in that.

A Holistic Approach to Improving Oral Posture and Breathing

Now that we understand the root of the issue, let’s talk about solutions! Taking a holistic approach means addressing not just the symptoms but also the underlying causes to support your child’s overall health. Here’s how you can make a difference:

1. Proper Nutrition
   Diet plays a surprisingly big role in oral health. Focus on nutrient-dense, whole foods to support strong facial muscles and bone development. Foods rich in vitamins D, K2, and calcium are particularly beneficial for jaw growth and strength.

2. Supplements & Superfoods
   If your child’s diet isn’t providing everything they need, supplements can help. Cod liver oil, probiotics, and omega-3 fatty acids support healthy growth. Superfoods like bone broth and leafy greens are also great for strengthening teeth and bones.

3. Myofunctional Therapy Exercises
   Think of myofunctional therapy as physical therapy for the mouth, face, and neck. It focuses on exercises to strengthen the tongue and improve its resting posture. Consistent practice can help expand the palate naturally, preventing crowded teeth down the line.

4. Tools to Encourage Proper Habits

   • Myomunchee: This small chewing device strengthens jaw muscles and encourages proper tongue posture. It’s fun for kids and helps them build better oral habits while they chew.

   • Myospots: These soft, dissolvable pads are placed on the roof of the mouth to encourage the tongue to stay up. They turn it into a game of “find the spot,” giving your child’s tongue a workout while training it to rest in the correct position.

   • Mouth Tapes: It might sound a bit odd, but using gentle mouth tape at night can encourage nasal breathing and help break the habit of mouth breathing. It’s a simple yet effective way to ensure your child gets better sleep while promoting proper tongue posture.

5. Gentle Reminders and Consistency
   Building new habits takes time, especially for kids. Simple, gentle reminders throughout the day to close their lips, breathe through their noses, and keep their tongues up can go a long way. Turn it into a game to keep it fun and engaging!

6. At-Home Exercises
   Incorporate a few easy exercises into your child’s daily routine, like practising “tongue on the spot” (placing the tongue behind the upper front teeth) or suctioning the tongue to the roof of the mouth while opening wide. These exercises help train the tongue to stay in the correct position.

7. Managing Allergies
   If allergies are causing your child to breathe through their mouth, addressing those triggers is essential. Whether it’s dust, pet dander, or dietary sensitivities like dairy or gluten, keeping allergies under control can greatly improve nasal breathing.

Taking Action to Support Your Child's Health

If you’ve noticed your little one breathing through their mouth or if their dentist has mentioned a narrow palate or crowded teeth, it might be time to explore some of these strategies. The earlier you start addressing these habits, the easier it is to prevent long-term issues. By combining proper nutrition, supplements, exercises, and tools like myofunctional therapy, Myospots, and mouth tapes, you can set your child on a path to better oral health and overall well-being.

Your child’s health and happiness are always worth the effort. By helping them build healthier habits now, you’re setting them up for a lifetime of better breathing, improved sleep, and beautiful, confident smiles.

Have questions about your child’s oral health? Or wondering where to start with myofunctional therapy? We have loads of tools here, but don’t hesitate to reach out to a qualified therapist. Small changes can lead to big results, and your child’s future self will thank you for it!

Let’s get those little mouths breathing better and smiling brighter!