Litchfield Hills Today

• Breathing through the nose is a common practice in yoga, thanks to its many benefits.

• Physicians also recommend breathing through the nose, as it provides a natural filter.

• Breathing through the mouth can lead to poor oral health and bad breath.  

Dr. Robert Weiss of CT ENT Sinus Center said there are multiple reasons people might breathe through their mouths rather than their noses, but breathing through the nose is much healthier. This is supported by science and countless yogis, who have been using this method of breathing for hundreds of years.

"If we become mouth breathers, it's not healthy," Weiss told Litchfield Hills Today. "There are a lot of reasons people become mouth breathers. There are other reasons people can have blocked noses, and it could be from trauma. You can break your nose from trauma, sports, a car accident and now not be able to breathe through it. Most people are familiar with the term 'deviated nasal septum,' which can occur just from how your nose develops, usually in adolescence. So you don't have that trauma, but the cartilage and the bone that make up this dividing wall between the two sides of your nose can be crooked or bent, or deviated, blocking nasal passages. The bottom line is, if you're not getting good air through airflow through your nose and you're forced to breathe through your mouth, that's not a healthy state, and it affects your sleep. It can be a risk factor for heart disease, blood pressure, etc. Sleep apnea is a big one, too."

This type of breathing is also commonly used in yoga. Yoga is an ancient practice, and yogis have studied the role of breathing for centuries, according to UK-based company Heather Yoga. Breathing through the nose, as opposed to the mouth, is strongly preferred in many yoga practices.

KTM Yoga reports that, although people should breathe through their noses most of the time, as many as 60% of adults often breathe through their mouths. Hair and mucus within the nose act as filters that trap bacteria and dust. Nasal breathing also increases oxygen intake and boosts brain activity. Another benefit of breathing through the nose is that it helps to slow airflow, which widens blood vessels and slows the heart rate, leading to a feeling of calm. That is why it is so commonly used in yoga and therapy. 

People who suffer from allergies or chronic sinus problems are more likely to breathe through their mouths, but mouth breathing can lead to oral health issues, according to McCarl Dental Group.

Mouth breathing dries up saliva, which then allows bacteria and plaque to build up on the teeth, which can cause cavities, gum disease and chronic bad breath. Regularly breathing through the mouth can also, over time, lead to strained jaw joints, snoring, sleep apnea, enlarged tonsils and a higher risk for airway disorders, such as asthma.

If you're interested in learning more about the symptoms of allergies and sinus infections, take this Sinus Self-Assessment Quiz.