Baltimore City Wire

• Mouth breathing can lead to dental issues, including gingivitis and cavity development.
• As many as 60% of adults breathe through their mouth.
• Procedures such as a balloon sinuplasty or endoscopy can help a patient to breathe better through their nose.

Mouth breathing and sinusitis, according to Dr. Jamie Oberman of Frederick Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers, can lead to other health issues and affect your quality of life.

"It certainly can be quite debilitating,” Oberman told Baltimore City Wire. “The studies show that it certainly contributes to a loss of vitality, productivity and quality of life. You don't have to live with it. There are solutions out there, many of which are very well-tolerated and minimally invasive and almost risk-free."

Healthline says that mouth breathing can dry out the month, leading to an environment ripe for the formation of gingivitis and cavity development.

KTM Yoga reported that people should be breathing through their noses most of the time, but up to 60% of adults frequently breathe through their mouths. The hair and mucus in the nose serves as a filter to trap bacteria and dust, and nasal breathing also boosts the intake of oxygen and brain activity. Benefits of breathing through the nose include regulating airflow, which widens blood vessels and slows the heart rate, resulting in a feeling of calm.

People suffering from chronic sinus issues or allergies often breathe through their mouths, which can lead to oral issues, according to McCarl Dental Group. By breathing this way, people end up drying saliva, setting the foundation for the growth of bacteria and plaque on teeth. This can lead to gum disease, cavities and chronic bad breath. Breathing through the mouth on a regular basis over extended periods of time also can lead to snoring, sleep apnea, enlarged tonsils, strained jaw joints and an increased susceptibility to airway issues, such as asthma.

According to WebMD, people who battle chronic sinusitis have treatment options, including balloon sinuplasty and endoscopy. During an endoscopy procedure, doctors insert thin, flexible instruments called endoscopes into the nasal passages and view the cavity on a screen, providing a view of obstructions, using instruments to remove blockages, including scar tissue and polyps. While the procedure requires a local anesthetic, there are no incisions and the recovery period is relatively quick.

A newer treatment option is balloon sinuplasty, during which a doctor inserts a tube with a small balloon into the nasal sinus and guides it to the blocked area. It is then inflated to clear the passage, allowing the sinuses to drain and reduce congestion.

To learn more about the symptoms of sinusitis and allergies, take this Sinus Self-Assessment Quiz.