You’re probably thinking “What do the phrases ‘Functional Matrix Issues’ and ‘Parafunctional Habits’ mean?” and “What does this have to do with getting braces?” This may all sound complex, but to us it’s all about identifying an underlying reason for the patient’s orthodontic problem. To read more about these problems, click on the links below.
Have you seen your child breathing with his or her mouth open? Not everyone breathes properly. The way a person breathes can have a dramatic impact on his health, growth and total development.
Normally, the teeth and bone lie in a position of balance between the cheeks, lips, and tongue. At rest, the tongue is positioned at the roof of the mouth, the teeth are touching or are slightly apart, and the lips are together without strain. Breath is taken in through the nose. As a child grows with proper oral posture, there is proper balance between the forces of the tongue and the cheeks, and the teeth tend to come into the mouth in relatively good positions.
When someone has an abnormal breathing pattern, the mouth remains open for air to pass into the lungs. Mouth breathing does not allow the nose to filter and treat the air properly. Often, the impurities that remain in the air place a strain on the body, resulting in physical symptoms.
Mouth breathing alters muscle function of the face and tongue which, in turn, affects growth of the teeth and facial structures. The tongue posture must remain low to allow for the air to pass into the lungs. As a result, the upper jaw develops a narrow shape and causes crowding of the teeth. When the upper jaw is narrowed, the patient may also exhibit a reduction in the forward growth of the lower jaw due to an improper fit. Mouth breathers tend to keep their jaws separated, relaxing the tension on the cheek muscles, allowing the posterior teeth to continue erupting. This eruption will cause an open bite in the front of the mouth. Mouth breathers may also show an increase in the length of the face, affecting physical appearance.
Causes of Mouth Breathing:
Mouth breathing is often the body's response to difficulty or inability to breathe through the nose, usually due to an airway obstruction. Airway obstructions can be caused by:
- Enlarged tonsils and/or adenoids
- Underdeveloped nasal passages
- A deviated nasal septum
- Nasal blockage caused by swollen tissue or other obstructions such as polyps
- Allergies
- Chronic sinusitis
Mouth breathing can also be habitual in nature and may have started with a prior obstruction.
Physical Symptoms:
Mouth breathers often show decreased levels of oxygen in their blood. These low levels of oxygen can cause fatigue and slowed development. Children who breath through their mouths may show either abnormally small or large appetites due to difficulty in swallowing or tasting foods. Mouth breathing can alter a child’s quality of life.
What to look for:
Along with the physical symptoms, mouth breathers will show an open mouth for most of the day. At night, they often snore and are heavy sleepers. Often, their breathing is audible or labored.
A parafunctional habit is the habitual exercise of a body part in a way that is other than the most common use of that body part. Oral parafunctional habits may include:
Children begin sucking thumbs or fingers at a very early age. Sucking is one of the natural reflexes of the child that provides comfort. Many children suck their thumbs while sleeping because it gives them a sense of relaxation. Pacifiers are often used as a substitute for a thumb or finger.
Most children discontinue a sucking habit on their own, usually between the ages of two and four. There are, however, some children who continue the habit through preschool and into the elementary grades. If your child is sucking his thumb, finger or a pacifier when permanent teeth erupt, it is advisable to begin looking for ways to break this habit.
It is important to understand that these habits can become excessive, and can have an impact on development of the structures of the face, jaws and teeth.