Do you sleep with your mouth open? Is this a symptom of any disease?

If you sleep with your mouth open, it can be dangerous for you. Let us tell you what doctors say about sleeping with your mouth open and what are the ways to avoid it.

Sometimes sleeping with open mouth becomes a habit for people. But it is not just a habit, but can also be a sign of any disease or health problem. Normally, we should breathe through the nose while sleeping. But if the nose is blocked or there is difficulty in breathing, then the person starts breathing through the mouth. Both the nose and the mouth work to supply oxygen to our body. But when breathing through the nose, the air reaches the lungs after being filtered, whereas this process does not happen properly when breathing through the mouth. Sleeping with the mouth open for a long time can cause dryness in the throat, bad smell, sore throat and dental problems.

These could be the reasons behind it

 

 

One reason for sleeping with the mouth open can be the crooked nasal bone, which is called 'deviated septum'. In this, the wall between the nose becomes crooked, which can block one nostril. Apart from this, incorrectly set teeth can also cause problems in closing the mouth.

The problem of sleeping with an open mouth in children

Newborns usually breathe through the nose. If the child is breathing with his mouth open while sleeping, his nose may be blocked or the nasal bone may have been injured at birth. If older children suddenly start breathing through the mouth, it may be a sign of enlarged adenoids. Adenoids are small tissues present in the upper part of the throat, which are largest size between the ages of 2 and 6 years. If they swell, it can cause difficulty in breathing.

Treatment and ways to get rid of the habit

To get rid of the habit of sleeping with open mouth, it is necessary to treat its cause. If the nose remains blocked, use a humidifier or take a nasal spray of salt water. If the problem is allergy, asthma or sinus infection, then its treatment is necessary.

Mouth taping: Discussion on social media

Nowadays doctors on YouTube and social media talk about 'mouth taping'. In this, a light tape or soft patch is applied on the mouth while sleeping, so that the mouth does not open during sleep and the habit of breathing through the nose is formed. A small study found that mouth taping reduced snoring and breathing problems during sleep to some extent and also reduced the problem of daytime sleepiness.

Doctor's advice

Chest disease and sleep specialist Dr. Vikas Mittal has explained in detail in his video how mouth taping works and what can be useful. Also, he clarified that this remedy is safe only for those people who do not have any problem breathing through the nose. If someone has sleep apnea, nasal obstruction or other breathing problems, mouth taping can be harmful, so if you often sleep with your mouth open, do not ignore it. Consult a doctor to know the exact reason and treatment.