Mouth breathing can silently damage your health: ENT expert warns of serious risks

Breathing is an automatic process that most people rarely think about. However, how you breathe matters more than many realise. According to ENT specialists, breathing through the mouth instead of the nose—whether during sleep or throughout the day—can have far-reaching effects on overall health. What may seem like a harmless habit could actually be a sign of underlying problems and a trigger for multiple health issues.

Speaking on the issue, Dr Harihara Murthy, ENT and head and neck surgeon at Apollo Spectra Hospital, Bengaluru, explained that mouth breathing is commonly seen in both adults and children and often goes unnoticed. Over time, it can lead to a range of complications affecting sleep quality, oral health, immunity and even physical development in children.

One of the most common problems linked to mouth breathing is disturbed sleep. When a person breathes through the mouth, it can contribute to enlarged tonsils and airway obstruction, leading to snoring and fragmented sleep. Poor sleep, in turn, leaves individuals feeling tired, irritable and mentally drained the next day.

Oral health is another major concern. Mouth breathing dries out the gums and oral tissues, disturbing the natural balance of bacteria in the mouth. This increases the risk of gum disease, tooth decay and persistent bad breath. Over time, reduced saliva flow can worsen dental problems and make infections more likely.

Mouth breathing also affects the lungs and oxygen levels in the body. Reduced oxygen concentration in the blood can strain lung function, particularly in people with asthma or other respiratory conditions. In addition, bypassing the nose’s natural filtering system allows germs and allergens to directly enter the throat and lungs, increasing the risk of frequent colds, flu, sinus infections, hay fever and allergies.

Another visible impact is around the eyes. Dr Murthy noted that mouth breathing can cause veins around the eyes to dilate, leading to droopy eyes, dark circles and pigmentation. Many people also wake up with a dry, sore throat because mouth breathing dries out throat tissues overnight.

In children, the consequences can be even more serious. Chronic mouth breathing may interfere with normal facial growth and development, resulting in issues such as crooked teeth, downward jaw growth, a long facial structure, a protruding upper lip and flared nostrils.

Experts stress that while mouth breathing during a cold or nasal congestion is normal, persistent mouth breathing should not be ignored. Warning signs include constant dry mouth, all-day bad breath, snoring or drooling during sleep, mental fatigue, brain fog and waking up feeling unrefreshed.

To prevent mouth breathing, Dr Murthy recommends practising diaphragmatic breathing, which encourages nasal breathing and proper engagement of breathing muscles. Maintaining good posture during sleep, using supportive pillows and addressing conditions like sleep apnea can also help reduce the habit. If mouth breathing persists, consulting a doctor is essential to identify and treat the root cause.