Can Dental Problems Affect How You Breathe?

Your dental health affects more than just the appearance of your smile and the freshness of your breath. In fact, infections in your teeth and gums can spread to other organs in your body, including your heart and lungs. For this reason, it’s vital to maintain a healthy dental hygiene routine at home and to keep regular appointments with yourorthodontist in Solon, OH. If you struggle with recurring respiratory issues such as bronchitis or pneumonia, untreated dental issues could be to blame.

How Does My Oral Health Affect My Breathing? 

Infections aside, other dental problems may affect your ability to breathe well. For instance, if you have a problem with your bite (the way your upper and lower teeth come together), this can reduce the flow of air through your nasal passages and into your lungs. You may find yourself breathing through your mouth instead of through your nose. Mouth breathing is linked to a number of unpleasant conditions, including chronic bad breath, snoring, sleep apnea, and more. Fortunately, there are a number of ways in which your dental professional can help.

Help for Dental-Related Breathing Issues

Your dentist can alleviate dental-related breathing difficulties through different treatment options, including:

• Dental appliances worn during sleep
• Braces
• Tooth extraction or repair
• Jaw surgery

While these may sound inconvenient, the consequences of allowing a bad bite to go untreated are far more serious. They can result in lifelong respiratory issues, unusual changes in facial structure, speech impediments, and a decreased ability to bite and chew.

Call McGuire Orthodontics and Facial Orthopedics Today

For relief fromdental-related breathing problems in Solon, OH, call McGuire Orthodontics and Facial Orthopedics to schedule an appointment today. Our friendly staff of experienced clinicians is waiting to help you find solutions.