Return to Essays menu Mouth Breathing and Tongue Thrust Cause, Prevention and Treatment Mouth breathing and tongue thrust are subtle activities which have a very significant impact and consequence on the growth and development of the face, alignment of teeth, speech patterns, wear of teeth and, in many instances, the jaw joint. Mouth breathing leads to tongue thrust and is a result of extended chronic nasal congestion present as early as infancy. Nasal congestion results in impaired breathing and is usually caused by allergies. Typical symptoms include a chronic running nose, continuous colds, ear infections, and/or reoccurring tonsillitis and sore throats. A histamine reaction occurs as a result of allergens which may even pass through mother's milk or are fed directly to the baby in the form of cow's milk. The most common allergen sources include cow's milk and related dairy products, and products derived from wheat and/or egg whites. Although these are thought to be a primary cause, environmental and pet allergies can cause the same symptoms. Parents must be aware of early infant runny noses, congestion, and other abnormal chronic symptoms typical of allergies. The critical nature of this problem is that it occurs during the active development of many oral and nasal structures and thumb/finger sucking habits. With congestion of nasal passages, the infant is forced to breathe through the mouth. This forces the tongue to fall from a normal "rest" position on the roof of the mouth, to a new position, the floor of the mouth. The tongue normally presses against the roof of the mouth during swallowing (which occurs 1200 to 1400 times each day). In a low position, the tongue presses against the teeth or, if no teeth are yet erupted, against the lips. Tongue pressure on the teeth forces them forward. Normally the lips hold teeth back but, with mouth breathing, the lips are apart, losing this important function Another consequence of mouth breathing is the raising and narrowing of the roof of the mouth to form more space to facilitate breathing. The raising and narrowing of the roof of the mouth crowds upper teeth and further constricts the nasal passageway, complicating the congestion of the nose. The thrusting tongue not only forces teeth outward and impacts jaw growth, it affects speech patterns (lisps) and alignment of teeth. Bad alignment of teeth allows premature breakdown and wear of posterior teeth, as normal protective eyetooth guidance is lost. Broken and worn teeth are expensive to restore and the bad alignment can result in jaw joint problems. These are very challenging situations, directly related to tongue thrusting. If nasal congestion is identified early, and hopefully corrected, habits can be prevented to avoid permanent dysfunction, form and appearance. To conclude, the body simply does what it has to do to breathe. Form follows function. Nasal congestion forces mouth breathing. The form of the mouth changes to accommodate this function including: narrowing of the upper arch, high palate (roof of mouth), distorted jaw, tongue thrust, open lips, malalignment of teeth, and open mouth. The modification of these structures remains through adulthood. To allow the mouth breathing habit to continue results in orthodontic problems, a permanently under-developed nasal passageway, speech problems, appearance problems, premature dental breakdown, possible jaw joint problems and associated headaches. It has been stated that fifty to eighty percent of all orthodontic problems are related to or caused by tongue thrusting. Severe orthodontic and jaw malformation requires surgery. With so many serious potential problems, parents should carefully observe infant health and not accept chronic runny noses, ear, adenoid and tonsil infections and mouth breathing as normal. Once habits are established and, if the child is between four and twelve years of age, speech and myofunctional therapy may help to retrain the tongue. If orthodontic care is eminent, the post-orthodontic retainer may need to be worn for the rest of the patient's life, as long as the tongue thrust habit continues and pushes on the teeth. If the above conditions exist, begin the process of identifying the cause. If the infant is on cow's milk or demonstrates sensitivity to any dairy products, switch this in totality to a substitute. Registered, trained dietitians now recommend no cow's milk, wheat or egg whites until after one year of age due to the allergenic potential for these products. Consult your pediatrician or dietitian for guidance. If the cause is not food, it could be environmental such as dust, hay fever, or animal (pet) allergy. Be diligent and patient and pursue this issue until resolved. Parents and their young children will be greatly rewarded by efforts to identify the cause of congestion. This, indeed, can impact an infant's development, function, appearance, comfort, health and future. This will also prevent much pain and suffering, time and expense chasing to the doctor's office for the treatment of many symptoms and consequences of this very common problem. If you have questions about tongue thrust and mouth breathing, please feel free to ask for more information. return to top