Will Straightening My Teeth Improve My Airflow?

When you think about how air flows through your mouth and nose, you may think about major obstructions, like a deviated septum. What you may not consider is how your teeth impact your airflow, and why straightening them can have a marked improvement on how you breathe — especially when you’re asleep. Here, we’ll look at your teeth’s role and why it’s important to take action sooner than later.

Teeth and Airflow: What to Know

In general, misaligned teeth are often associated with a misaligned jaw. If either your upper or lower jaw is misaligned, this can obstruct your airflow and prevent you from getting the intake at night. During the day, you may not notice the issues, but it can become painfully obvious at night when the tissues of your throat relax and you begin to snore.

However, a sleep apnea orthodontist in Solon, OH can tell you that it is possible to have breathing obstructions even if you only have misaligned teeth, though the effects are less likely to impact your everyday life. When your teeth are crowded or gapped, it can affect the position of your tongue, which can ultimately cause breathing issues.

Seeing an Airway-Focused OrthodonÅtist

All dentists and orthodontists in Solon, OH have a general understanding of basic disorders, like sleep apnea and bite misalignment. However, if you have a more complex case, you may want to visit a specialist in Solon who can tell you more about not just where your problems stem from, whether it’s your teeth or your jaw, but also what you can do to fix your oral infrastructure.

If you’ve noticed an increase in anything from snoring to fatigue to dry mouth, the team at DHP Dental can help you learn more about not just what treatments are available, but how you can expect your investment to benefit you over time. For instance, addressing airflow issues in their infancy may help you prevent more drastic procedures down the line, like oral surgery, or more drastic treatments, such as a CPAP machine. Depending on how quickly your jaw and teeth shift over time, it can help to see a specialist sooner than later!