'He just always breathes through his mouth'...
If you’re a parent who’s noticed your child always has their mouth open, snores at night, or wakes up tired and cranky, you might have been told, “Don’t worry, it’s probably just enlarged tonsils.” Maybe your child has eczema or allergies. Maybe they’ve been diagnosed with ADHD. Or perhaps you’re just watching their health and development with a growing sense that something’s not quite right.
But what if the common thread linking these issues wasn’t just coincidence?
What if mouth breathing isn’t just a symptom, but a root cause – one that’s been hiding in plain sight?
Why Mouth Breathing Matters So Much
Breathing is foundational to health. And yet, how we breathe is rarely discussed. While we’re designed to breathe through the nose – which filters, warms, and humidifies air while producing nitric oxide (a powerful molecule that supports immunity and oxygen uptake), many children default to breathing through the mouth.
The problem is, mouth breathing bypasses these essential steps. Instead of receiving clean, conditioned air, the body takes in dry, unfiltered air that can irritate the throat and lungs, reduce oxygen saturation, and overstimulate the nervous system. Over time, this impacts sleep quality, immune function, and even facial and dental development.
Change of the Shape of the Face - Really?
Yes, really. In his book Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art, James Nestor outlines how chronic mouth breathing contributes to narrowing of the dental arch, recessed jaws, crowded teeth, and even changes in posture. Children who mouth breathe often develop:
Long, narrow faces
Dark circles under the eyes
Open mouths at rest
Poor sleep and irritability
What’s alarming is that these changes can begin as early as in infancy – especially if unresolved tongue ties or birth trauma have restricted the tongue’s natural function.
Enlarged Tonsils Cause Mouth Breathing - Or Are They?
This is a common assumption. But it is actually a myth. Studies and clinical experience suggest that mouth breathing often causes enlarged tonsils and adenoids, not the other way around.
Chronic mouth breathing leads to:
Dry air hitting lymphatic tissues
Increased exposure to allergens and pathogens
Ongoing low-grade inflammation
In response, the tonsils and adenoids enlarge, attempting to defend the body. While removing them can reduce obstruction temporarily, it does not retrain breathing patterns or solve the root cause. Children often default back to mouth breathing and the cycle continues.
The Ripple Effects
Let’s take a closer look at how mouth breathing plays a role in various chronic conditions:
1. Eczema & Allergies
Mouth breathing dries out the skin, reduces nitric oxide production, and leads to overactivation of the immune system. It alters oral and nasal microbiomes and increases susceptibility to airborne allergens.
Children who mouth breathe often have poor lymphatic drainage and chronic inflammation. All of that contributing to persistent eczema and allergy symptoms.
2. ADHD & Behavioural Issues
Sleep-disordered breathing caused by mouth breathing results in fragmented sleep, low oxygenation, and stress on the developing brain. This can lead to:
Hyperactivity
Poor focus
Emotional dysregulation
Meltdowns or anxiety
It’s no coincidence that many children diagnosed with ADHD also have sleep issues and are chronic mouth breathers.
3. Poor Sleep & Snoring
When nasal breathing is compromised, children are more likely to snore or experience sleep apnoea. This results in non-restorative sleep, daytime fatigue, poor immune resilience, and even bedwetting.
4. Recurrent Infections
Mouth breathing reduces the body’s ability to filter bacteria and viruses, resulting in frequent:
Colds
Sinus infections
Ear infections
Sore throats
The immune system becomes overburdened, which can contribute to chronic inflammation and autoimmunity.
Early Clues You Might Be Missing
Mouth breathing often begins in infancy or early toddlerhood and may be missed because it seems so subtle and even cute. Look out for these red flags:
In Babies:
Clicking or noisy feeding
Shallow latch, fussiness at the breast
Snoring or mouth open during sleep
Poor weight gain or reflux
In Toddlers & Children:
Always open-mouthed or drooling
Snoring or waking unrefreshed
Speech delays
Narrow palate or crowded teeth
Eczema, behavioural concerns, or constant colds
If several of these resonate, mouth breathing may be playing a larger role than you realise.
How Birth Patterns and Tongue Ties Fit in This
Many children who mouth breathe have early restrictions that impair proper oral and facial development. For instance:
Tongue ties prevent the tongue from resting against the palate, which is essential for expanding the upper jaw and promoting nasal breathing.
Birth trauma (such as forceps delivery or prolonged labour) can affect cranial nerve function, swallowing, and suckling ability – all of which influence early breathing patterns.
These restrictions can have a knock-on effect on airway development, digestion, sleep, and even speech.
You're Not Alone and There is Hope
Understanding that mouth breathing is a root cause rather than just a symptom is a game-changer. It means we can shift from managing recurring symptoms to supporting true, lasting healing. But the solution isn’t surgical – it’s holistic and often multidisciplinary.
In Part 2 of this blog, we’ll explore how to address mouth breathing naturally using a range of supportive therapies – including craniosacral therapy, homeopathy, myofunctional therapy, and more. We’ll also talk about what you can do at home and what to expect from treatment.
In the meantime if you wish to discuss your child’s situation and how best to support them, book the free introductory call.