Consequences of mouth breathing and incorrect tongue position

Consequences of mouth breathing and incorrect tongue position

A permanently open mouth with an incorrect tongue position is not a harmless childhood phenomenon – it can have profound effects on children’s physical development, health, and well-being. If the tongue is not positioned on the palate and breathing is predominantly through the mouth instead of the nose, this can lead to a variety of functional, structural, and health problems. This is exactly where the holistic mykie® therapy comes in: through early detection and targeted treatment of the causes.

Below is an overview of the most common effects of mouth breathing and incorrect tongue position:

1. Impaired facial development

The tongue plays a central role in the development of the upper jaw – it acts as a “natural expansion device,” gently pressing from the inside to control the shape of the palate and thus the width of the jaw.

However, if the tongue is permanently positioned too low, for example on the floor of the mouth, and the child breathes through an open mouth at the same time, this natural growth stimulus is missing.

The result can be a narrow, elongated face shape, also known in technical jargon as an adenoids face. This facial shape is often accompanied by a receding upper jaw, sunken cheeks, a narrow nose, and dark circles under the eyes. In addition, affected children often have misaligned teeth, an open bite, an overbite (overjet), or narrowed nasal breathing—with far-reaching consequences for speech, breathing, and aesthetics.

Early correction of tongue position and training in healthy nasal breathing are therefore central components of mykie® treatment.

2. More frequent allergies and infections

The nose is not only a respiratory organ, but also a highly efficient filter system. Children who breathe mainly through their mouths bypass this natural filter mechanism – they absorb more allergens, dust particles, and pathogens directly into their lower respiratory tract. The result: more frequent upper respiratory tract infections, increased susceptibility to bronchitis, tonsillitis, or sinusitis.

In the long term, chronic mouth breathing can also promote the development of allergies, asthma, or neurodermatitis. Studies point to a clear link between impaired respiratory function and immunological responsiveness. mykie® takes a preventive approach at an early stage to activate and stabilize nasal breathing – with a noticeable effect on overall health.

3. Sleep problems and reduced sleep quality

Mouth breathing during sleep is not just a noise phenomenon like snoring – it can have a profound effect on sleep quality and the body’s oxygen supply. Children who breathe through their mouths are more likely to experience nocturnal breathing interruptions (obstructive sleep apnea), which repeatedly interrupt sleep and can lead to chronic sleep deprivation.

Disturbed sleep has a direct impact on how you feel during the day: fatigue, difficulty concentrating, emotional irritability, and learning problems are possible consequences. mykie® helps identify the causes of nighttime mouth breathing—for example, a narrow palate—and provides targeted treatment. A healthy sleeping position, nasal breathing exercises, and accompanying speech therapy can help reduce snoring and breathing pauses.

4. Concentration, behavior, and emotional regulation

An aspect that should not be underestimated: the quality of breathing also influences the nervous system. Children with chronic mouth breathing often take in less oxygen per breath, which can lead to an increased breathing rate, shallow breathing, and thus to increased stress levels.

Studies suggest that chronic mouth breathing in childhood can be associated with symptoms such as restlessness, impulsiveness, irritability, and even ADHD-like symptoms. This is where mykie® comes in: targeted myofunctional exercises, improved nasal breathing, and normalization of tongue function can significantly promote attention and emotional balance.

5. Neck pain and tension

The typical poor posture of mouth breathers—with the head pushed forward and shoulders slumped—often leads to tension in the neck and shoulder area. This posture has a direct impact on muscle and bone function and puts strain on the entire musculoskeletal system.

Correct swallowing, tongue position, and nasal breathing promote a natural head and trunk posture, thereby reducing muscular imbalances, neck complaints, and postural problems.

6. Headaches and daytime fatigue

Snoring in the evening or pauses in breathing during the night can severely fragment sleep – even without classic sleep apnea. Studies show that even occasional snoring is associated with increased daytime fatigue, concentration problems, and headaches.

Children with disturbed breathing wake up more often or sleep less restfully, which manifests itself in head and neck complaints in the morning and a decline in performance at school and in everyday life. Promoting nasal breathing and avoiding mouth breathing helps improve sleep quality.

7. Increased susceptibility to tooth decay and dry mouth

Keeping your mouth open all the time reduces saliva production, but saliva protects against tooth decay through its natural buffering and remineralization functions. Without this protection, the risk of tooth decay and gum inflammation increases significantly, as has been proven by empirical studies.

8. Bedwetting (nocturnal enuresis)

Less well known but well documented: impaired breathing during sleep – for example, due to mouth breathing – can contribute to bedwetting. One of the reasons for this is the reduced oxygen supply, which can impair the bladder control reflex during deep sleep.

An interdisciplinary assessment is particularly worthwhile for children who snore or breathe through their mouths during sleep. mykie® offers a gentle, holistic therapeutic approach to identify functional causes and treat them with sustainable measures – in collaboration with pediatricians, ENT specialists, and other disciplines.