Effects of Oral Breathing on the Nutritional Status: Why does it Happen?

Abstract

Introduction:Some children who breathe through the mouth and present nocturnal obstructive apnea can present a delay in the pondero-statural growth. Objective:The objective of this article is to analyze the orofacial myofunctional alterations found in oral breathers and the effects on their nutritional status. It focuses on the importance of the interdisciplinary team following up with the overall oral breathing alterations. Method:The used method was a literature's revision based on articles published in indexed scientific magazines, books and post-graduation works. Most articles were identified on LILACS, MEDLINE, and SCIELO databases. Results:A relation between oral breathing and an alteration in the general feeding process is noticeable and associated with difficulties in smelling, tasting, and orofacial myofunctional disorders, what comes to have an effect on the nutritional status. Final commentaries: The wide range of causes involved in oral breathing requires an interdisciplinary team trained to identify such alterations, enabling preventive measures to be undertaken, in order to avoid alterations in the general health, regular development of the face, as well as in the nutritional status in these individuals' relevant growth stages.

Preferência alimentar de respiradores orais de uma escola de ensino fundamental

“…This result is in line with other research that indicates that individuals with oral breathing and they agree that when these individuals need to eat a more solid diet it is accompanied by plenty of fluids, in order to help in swallowing food and to decrease the feeling of suffocation 5,6,13,17 . It is observed that in the absence of food option that facilitates coordination between breath / deglutition they tend to maintain the consistency of the diet as it is offered.…”

“…For the occurrence of nasal breathing, there needs to be anatomical and functional integrity of the upper airways, especially in the nasal region and / or pharyngeal 4,5 . When there is impediment in the nasal breathing pattern, breathing oral takes place immediately 6 .…”

“…The most common features found are: shortness of breath or respiratory failure, rapid fatigue in the physical activities, back or neck muscles pain, halitosis, dry mouth, choking during sleep, sleep poorly, daytime sleepiness, saliva while talking, irritability , change in chewing, poor concentration followed by poor school performance 3,6,9 . Knowing that the mouth breathing usually has smell and taste decreased, due to the inadequate use of upper airway 5 . And, it is believed that the choice of the food type is not made by appetite, but by consistency and easiness of ingestion, allowing the individual to continue breathing through the mouth, as well as promoting coordinated breathing / swallowing 9,13,[16][17][18] .…”

The Mouth Breathing Syndrome: prevalence, causes, consequences and treatments. A Literature Review

“…MB inhibits the neural mechanisms that regulate airway function since its components are located in the nose 32 . Nasal block also results in higher airway resistance with inadequate alveolar ventilation.…”

“…A study related MB with the modification in the overall diet and nutritional status, associated with the involvement of structures such as the dental arch, to changes in the masticatory process, difficulties in smelling, taste disorders and orofacial miofunctional disorders 32 .…”