14. Airway Obstruction And Habitual Mouth-Breathing

Question 1

14. Airway Obstruction And Habitual Mouth-Breathing

Mouth breathing, and how it differs from nasal breathing

Answer 1

• Habitual respiration through mouth instead of nose

Question 2

14. Airway Obstruction And Habitual Mouth-Breathing

Classifications of mouth breathing

Answer 2

• Obstructive
• Anatomical
• Habitual

Question 3

14. Airway Obstruction And Habitual Mouth-Breathing

Common etiological factors contributing to mouth breathing

Answer 3

• Oral habits such as thumb-sucking or nail biting
• Intranasal defects=>septal deviations and polyps
• Hypertrophy of nasal turbinates due to allergies
• Hypertrophy of pharyngeal lymphoid tissue
• Chronic respiratory infections
• Genetic predisposition

Question 4

14. Airway Obstruction And Habitual Mouth-Breathing

How oral habits such as thumb-sucking contribute to mouth breathing

Answer 4

• Cause=>
• Lowering of mandible
• Positioning of tongue downwards and forwards
• Overeruption of lower incisors=> touch palatal mucosa

Question 5

14. Airway Obstruction And Habitual Mouth-Breathing

Dentofacial effects of mouth breathing

Answer 5

• Proclination and spacing of anterior teeth
• Constricted maxillary arch
• Posterior crossbites
• Decreased vertical overlap of incisors
• Inflamed gingival tissue in the upper anterior region
• Mouth-breathing gingivitis
• Gummy smile

Question 6

14. Airway Obstruction And Habitual Mouth-Breathing

How mouth breathing contributes to speech abnormalities

Answer 6

• Altered airflow patterns and obstruction in nasal passages=>
• Nasal tone speech abnormality

Question 7

14. Airway Obstruction And Habitual Mouth-Breathing

Diagnostic methods to identify mouth breathing

Answer 7

1. Anamnesis=>
* Frequent tonsillitis
* Repeated respiratory infections
* Allergic rhinitis, and otitis media
2. Physical examination
* Observing patient’s breathing pattern
* Observe for lips-apart posture
* Signs of malocclusion
* Hoarseness of voice and deep breathing

Question 8

14. Airway Obstruction And Habitual Mouth-Breathing

Specific tests for mouth breathing

Answer 8

• Mirror test
• Cotton pellet test
• Butterfly test
• Water holding test
• Rhinomanometry
• Cephalometry

Question 9

14. Airway Obstruction And Habitual Mouth-Breathing

When treatment typically initiated for mouth breathing

Answer 9

• Mixed dentition period=>
• Addresses underlying cause and symptoms=>
• ENT examination to identify and eliminate nasal obstructions
• Surgery (e.g., septoplasty, tonsillectomy, adenoid removal)
• Local medication
• Interception of habits through physical exercises
• Correction of malocclusion using oral appliances and pre-orthodontic trainers

Question 10

14. Airway Obstruction And Habitual Mouth-Breathing

Appliances that can be used for mouth breathing

Answer 10

• Oral shield appliance
• Monobloc
• Chin cap