Should You Breathe Through Your Mouth or Nose

Some children and even adults tend to breathe through their mouth instead of the nose. Nasal breathing is better than breathing through the mouth when exercising, participating in activities of daily life or sleeping. Breathing through the mouth tricks the brain into thinking that carbon dioxide is leaving the body too fast thus stimulating the production of mucus in the body’s attempt to slow breathing down.

Why nasal breathing is better than mouth breathing

Nasal breathing is healthier as it makes the lungs to take oxygen from the air and oxygen absorption take place mostly on inhalation. The nose is smaller than the mouth and exhaling through it creates more air pressure, therefore, slowing exhalation. It gives the lungs some extra time for extracting more oxygen.

Nasal breathing also has these advantages.

More oxygen supply

Nasal breathing is more efficient than inhaling through the mouth regarding oxygen supply to the body when performing cardiovascular exercises. If you run out of breath when exercising, it is easier to exhale from the mouth, but this reduces the amount of oxygen that you extract for each exhalation.

Air purification

Nostrils and sinuses play an essential part in warming t and filtering the air before it gets to the lungs. The filtering effect helps to keep the bacteria and particles from the body. Nasal breathing when exercising during chilly weather prevents a vertical flow of cold air to the lungs which can cause throat and chest pain.

Balances pH

Nasal breathing helps in proper exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide during respiration to promote a balanced pH. Mouth breathing causes fast loss of carbon dioxide thus decreasing oxygen absorption which can cause fainting or dizziness.

Snoring

Breathing through the nose makes the air to pass through nasal mucosa that stimulates the reflex nerves that aid in controlling breathing. The nasal mucosa is an inhaled air sensor that activates during nasal breathing to send stimuli to breath-controlling reflex nerves. Mouth breathing does not send any stimuli to reflex nerves since in bypasses nasal mucosa, and it can cause irregular breaking patterns.

Breathing through the mouth is a cause of regular breathing difficulties that cause loud snoring or even sleep apnea because there is no breathing regulation. Breathing through the mouth increases the risk of heart conditions which like sleep apnea can occur due short periods of suffocation that happen when breathing is unregulated.

Promotes good oral health

Breathing through the mouth increases the loss of water contribution to dehydration and drying of gums. Dry gums increase acidity within the mouth and increase the risk of a cavity as well as gum disease. Breathing with the mouth especially for the older folks can even have worse effects. It can cause severe breath, dental problems, and hoarseness. A habit of breathing through the moth is also detrimental to children as it might cause alteration of the airway and worsen existing sleep apnea.

Reduces risk of stress and hypertension

Breathing through the nose slows down the process until the body achieves the appropriate pace. It helps in preventing you from overexerting during a workout or manual work. Daily activities can leave you in a state of tiredness, stress, and overstimulation which all build up to fight or flight state response. Inhalation and exhalation through the nose help you to take fuller deeper breaths and make the lower lung to distribute more oxygen throughout the body.

Nasal breathing has more benefits and has a connection with other body functions. The nose has olfactory bulbs that are direct extensions of the hypothalamus. Hypothalamus is the part of your bring that control many bodily functions such as blood pressure, heartbeat, appetite, thirst and sleep cycles. It is also responsible for influencing emotion and memory.