My Child Is Mouth breathing... Is That Normal?

It’s one of the most common questions I get from moms—and the short answer is:
Mouth breathing may be common, but it’s not normal.

In fact, it can be dangerous—especially for growing children.
Let’s dive into why that is and what steps you can take right now.

😮‍💨 Why Is Mouth breathing a Problem?

🧠 1. It affects craniofacial development

There’s a saying in dentistry: “Form follows function.”
How your child breathes directly impacts how their face, jaw, and airway develop.
The tongue should rest on the roof of the mouth to help widen the palate (which also forms the floor of the nose and the base of the eyes).
When the mouth stays open, the tongue drops, the lips stay apart, and facial growth shifts unfavorably.

🦠 2. It disrupts the oral microbiome

Mouth breathing dries out saliva, and saliva is key to maintaining a healthy oral environment.
Less saliva = more acidity, more bad bacteria, faster tartar buildup, and more cavities.

😴 3. It can interfere with healthy sleep

Mouth breathing at night can cause the tongue to fall back and obstruct the airway.
This increases the risk of snoring, sleep apnea, and poor oxygen levels.
For kids, this is especially serious—90% of a child’s brain growth happens by age 7, and oxygen is crucial for healthy development.

🚨 What Causes Mouth breathing?

Babies are born nose breathers.
So if your child is breathing through their mouth, something is causing it. Here are the most common root causes:

👅 Tongue Tie (Ankyloglossia)

A restricted frenum under the tongue limits tongue mobility, making it harder to rest the tongue on the palate—especially at night.
Not all kids with tongue ties mouth breathe, but many do when sleeping.

👃 Enlarged Tonsils or Adenoids

When these get too large, they can block the nasal airway.
The body will always prioritize breathing, so if the nose is blocked, the mouth opens.

📱 Poor Posture

Think of your child slouched over a screen, mouth hanging open.
Forward head posture makes nose breathing harder and mouth breathing easier.

🌀 Deviated Septum or Blocked Nasal Passages

If a child can’t get enough air through the nose, the body will automatically switch to mouth breathing.
(Oxygen is life—we can’t go more than 3 minutes without it.)

🌾 Allergies

Whether environmental (like pollen, dust) or food-related, allergies trigger inflammation.
Inflamed tissues swell and make nasal breathing harder.

💡 So, What Can You Do?

Start by figuring out why your child is mouth breathing.

Then, connect with professionals trained in airway-focused care:

• 🦷 Biological or airway-focused dentist or orthodontist

• 👃 ENT who understands pediatric airways

• 👩‍⚕️ Pediatrician trained in functional or integrative medicine

• 🗣️ Myofunctional therapist (SLP, OT, PT, or RDH)

💚 Final Thoughts

Mouth breathing is more than a habit—it’s a symptom.
And as a mom, you have the power to recognize the signs early and take action.
You’re not alone on this journey. I’m here to guide you.

Raising healthy, thriving, cavity-free kids starts with the way they breathe.
Let’s help them breathe better, sleep deeper, and smile brighter.

With love,
Dr. Norma Cortez
Biological & Airway Dentist
Founder of Dr. Cortez’s Cavity-Free Club