The human body breathes through the nose. Allergies cause the inside of the nose to swell and block the airway. The body then switches to mouth breathing for oxygen but the mouth makes a terrible nose. Nasal blockage forces the mouth to stay open to breath. If the mouth constantly stays open then the teeth stop fitting together.

          Mouth breathing from allergies in children can be disastrous. The jaws don't grow together and a malocclusion develops. The head rotates backward to make it easier breath but the rotation causes the eyes to rotate upward. To prevent this, the patient throws the head forward and becomes chicken necked (forward head posture). This problem causes the patient to have a constant dry mouth, especially in the morning. The forward head posture causes the collar bones to wing upward and forward. The shoulders roll forward too. Normal collar bones are horizontal. Winged clavicles are a sign of severe allergies, mouth breathing and future neck and back problems. Eventually the patient learns to keep the tongue low to avoid blocking the air coming through the mouth. If the tongue continues to stay low for years a number of problems result.

          A normal tongue sticks to the palate when swallowing. An abnormal tongue doesn't but instead thrusts forward. In severe cases, the tongue thrusts forward and downward. The tongue is the strongest muscle in the body and easily pushes teeth out of position. This abnormal tongue will also cause swallowing and speech problems.

          Allergies cause black eyes called allergic shiners because the allergic swelling in the nose prevents the blood from draining. Some kids have continued inner ear infections due to the allergies. There is a small tube that goes to the inner ear from the back of the mouth and nose. This tube allows the inner ear to drain and evens out the air pressure in the ear and the outside. This tube is called the eustachian tube and it's made out of the same type tissue that makes up the inside of the nose. The tube can also swell up and close shut when allergies irritate it. This causes the pressure and fluids to build up in the inner ear and makes the patient prone to ear infections. Physicians cut through the outside of the ear drum to place a drain tube rather than treat the allergies that caused the problem.

          Untreated this problem can also be the source of TMJ problems because it disturbs the normal functioning and growth of the teeth and jaw bones. If you are concerned that mouth breathing is effecting your teeth and gums, consider making a free dental consultation appointment with our Georgia Dentist, Dr. Mark Allan Padolsky by calling  404-874-7428.