WHAT ABOUT THIS?: Mouth Breathing and Tongue Position: A Risk Factor for Health

Abstract

Breathing usually occurs without awareness unless there are problems such as asthma, emphysema, allergies, or viral infections. Infant and child development may affect how we breathe as adults. This article includes discussion of the benefits of nasal breathing, factors that contribute to mouth breathing, how babies’ breastfeeding and chewing decreases the risk of mouth breathing, and recommendations that parents may implement to support healthy development of a wider palate. A link to a video presentation also is included: How the Tongue Informs Healthy (or Unhealthy) Neurocognitive Development, by Karindy Ong, MA, CCC-SLP, CFT.