The Power of Nasal Breathing

At Parkwood Clinic, we see children and adults who struggle with articulation, swallowing difficulties, sleep disturbances, and even facial growth/development concerns—all of which can be linked to something as fundamental as how they breathe. Nasal breathing plays a crucial role in overall health and orofacial function, yet many individuals habitually breathe through their mouths without realizing the negative impact.

As speech-language pathologists with specialized training in orofacial myofunctional therapy (OMT), we help our patients transition to healthier breathing patterns that support optimal speech, oral function, and overall well-being.

Why We Emphasize Nasal Breathing in Therapy

The human body is designed for nasal breathing. The nose filters, humidifies, and warms the air we inhale, making it the most efficient and protective way to breathe. Mouth breathing, on the other hand, can lead to a variety of issues, including:

1. Orofacial Development Concerns

Chronic mouth breathing can alter facial growth and development, especially in children. When the mouth remains open, the tongue sits low in the mouth instead of resting against the palate, which can contribute to:

• A narrow upper jaw and high-arched palate
• Dental misalignments/malocclusions, such as overbites, crossbites, open bites, or underbites
• Elongated facial structures with weak jawlines
• Poor lip closure and oral muscle tone

At our clinic, we assess how breathing patterns impact orofacial growth and work to correct these issues through targeted therapy.

2. Speech and Articulation Challenges

Many speech sound disorders are connected to improper oral posture. A low and/or forward tongue position, common in individuals who breath through their mouth, makes it difficult to produce sounds that require precise tongue placement, such as S, Z, SH, CH, and R. By correcting the underlying muscle patterns through nasal breathing and orofacial myofunctional therapy, we set the foundation for clearer and more consistent speech.

3. Swallowing and Oral Function

Mouth breathing is often associated with orofacial myofunctional disorders (OMDs), which can also affect swallowing mechanics. Patients with OMDs may exhibit tongue thrusting when swallowing, difficulty with effective chewing, and/or difficulty managing food and liquids. Our therapy focuses on retraining swallowing patterns to promote proper tongue placement and muscle function.

4. Sleep and Overall Health

Mouth breathing can be a contributing factor to sleep-disordered breathing, including snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Poor sleep quality can lead to behavioral issues, attention difficulties, and even long-term health risks. Encouraging nasal breathing helps improve oxygen intake, sleep quality, and daytime energy levels.

How Parkwood Clinic Supports Nasal Breathing

At Parkwood Clinic, we take a comprehensive approach to improving nasal breathing and orofacial function. Our therapy includes:

• Breathing Retraining: We guide patients through exercises that promote nasal breathing and diaphragmatic control.
• Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy: We work on tongue posture, lip seal, and muscle strength to support correct breathing and swallowing patterns.
• Awareness Exercises: We work to promote awareness to nasal versus mouth breathing and open-mouth versus closed-mouth breathing patterns during a variety of activities during our sessions.  
• Collaboration with Other Professionals: We highly value interprofessional collaboration and will make appropriate referrals to ENTs, orthodontists, dentists, allergists, chiropractors, etc. to address structural or medical concerns affecting airway function.
• Parent and Patient Education: For children, we provide families with strategies to encourage nasal breathing at home, ensuring long-term success.

If you or your child experiences chronic mouth breathing, speech difficulties, or sleep issues, we encourage you to schedule an orofacial myofunctional (OMT) evaluation. At Parkwood Clinic, we are dedicated to identifying the root causes and providing individualized treatment to improve breathing, speech, and overall health.

Contact us today to learn how we can help you or your loved one breathe, speak, and thrive!