Mouth breathing could be a sign of irritating health issues – from tooth decay and gum disease to upper airway infections, new research , new research has suggested.
Mouth breathers are twice as likely to develop nasal congestion.
A study of 2,000 adults found that 13% typically breathe through their mouths, increasing to 18% when sleeping. Of these, nearly one in three (31%) admitted they often experience nasal congestion.
In comparison, those who breathe through their noses experience less than half the amount of nasal congestion, with only 15% of adults feeling regularly bunged up. 38% of those experiencing nasal congestion are being kept up at night.
Dr Roger Henderson, a General Practitioner of over 30 years who teamed up with Olbas to commission the research said: “Breathing through your mouth can cause several health issues compared to when you breathe more healthily through your nose.
“Mouth breathing can cause less oxygen to be delivered to the body and one of the problems this can cause is disturbed sleep and increased daytime fatigue and tiredness. It also causes the mouth to dry out, which in turn increases the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
“There may also be an increased risk of upper airway infections as well as inflammation of the tonsils and adenoids. Nasal obstruction is a common reason for mouth breathing, often caused by nasal allergies or enlarged adenoids.”
According to the study, 64% of adults who experience regular nasal congestion are also getting blocked noses, while one in three are getting runny noses, and 31% are left with sinus pressure and pain. Another 31% have found breathing difficult as a result.
The most popular remedies to help releive nasal congestion include nasal sprays, steam inhalation and decongestants. But for those who are regularly bunged up, more than a third (37%) are kept up at night, while 30% find it difficult to nod off and 28% are fatigued throughout the day.
The research, conducted via OnePoll, also found that mouth breathers have a poorer quality of sleep, with 56% claiming their quality of sleep is good, compared to 68% of those who predominantly breathe through their nose.
Dr Roger Henderson added: “To help reduce mouth breathing and nasal congestion, use a saline spray or nasal decongestant, sleep on your back with an extra pillow to prop up your head and help promote nasal breathing.
“Try to keep your house as free of allergens as possible and consciously practice breathing through your nose during the day to help train yourself into a habit of nasal breathing.”
Claire Campbell, from Olbas, said: “It’s clear that breathing through your mouth is causing Brits more issues when it comes to nasal congestion. This in turn is having a detrimental impact on their day-to-day life as they struggle with health conditions.
“This is why we developed our range with a mixture of plant oils, to help unblock stuffy and congested noses.”
Caredit to:-Mirror