Do you breathe through your mouth? It could be seriously affecting your health
If you breathe through your mouth, then chances are your health could be at risk. Sydney-based dentist, Dr Lewis Ehrlich, believes in the holistic approach when treating patients, one that focuses on the link between oral health and their overall well-being. He is also responsible for informing people of the dangers gin and tonic have on teeth enamel.
While it is known that breathing through the mouth can cause damage to teeth enamel and be responsible for tooth decay, the habit can also make you sick.
According to Dr Ehrlich, breathing through the mouth causes an influx of bacteria and toxins to enter your body that your nose would usually filter out.
“Nose breathing gives us the best possible chance of dealing with this challenge because within the nasal passages there are many filtration mechanisms at play,” he told Body + Soul.
The nasal filtration system is a mechanism that is made up of fine hairs inside the nostril, the adenoids, turbinates (which regulate the airflow in nasal passages) and mucous membranes of the sinuses.
Dr Ehrlich says that breathing through the nose instead of the mouth helps “warm, filtrate and humidify” the air.
According to him, this will minimise several health risks, such as breathing problems, allergies, hay fever, enlarged tonsils and other chronic respiratory issues.
He also emphasises how breathing from the mouth can have a negative effect on the body overall. And breathing from the nose allows for a balanced flow of both oxygen and carbon dioxide (CO2) and prevents people from over breathing.
“When we 'over-breathe', CO2 levels decrease, and it makes it difficult for oxygen to be released from the bloodstream into our tissues for use,” he said.
Plus, there are also many psychological benefits of breathing through the nose. Dr Ehrlich says research has proven that feelings of stress and anxiety can be regulated with the use of deep nasal breathing techniques.
“This is the basis of many meditation practices, and has been established by numerous studies,” he said.
If you struggle with breathing through the nose, elevating your head while you sleep and sleeping on your side or stomach is known to help. Also, removing any allergens present in the house and maintaining a good posture are great ways to get into the habit of breathing through the nose.
Do you breathe from your mouth or nose? Let us know in the comments below.