Mouth Breathing in children

Generally, all of us, including infants and kids breathe through the nose. However, mouth breathing is not unheard of.

Mouth breathing occurs if the nasal passages are blocked due to some reason. This blockage can be temporary or permanent. Temporary causes can be due to mucus in the nostril due to:

• Allergy

• Infection (viral or bacterial)

Permanent cause can be a structural defect such as a deviated nasal septum.

Your nasal septum separates the right and left sides of your nasal cavity. It's why you have two nostrils. A deviated septum occurs when your nasal septum is significantly displaced to one side, making one nasal air passage smaller than the other.

Another very common cause in kids is enlarged tonsils and adenoids. These are protective glands in the throat at the back of the nose. Sometimes due to repeated infections and inflammation they get enlarged and block the back of the nasal passages leading to mouth breathing, snoring, nasal voice, lack of concentration, ear infection and growth failure.

When to be concerned if your child is breathing with his/her mouth open or is snoring?

• If these symptoms persist continuously over weeks

• If they are getting worse over time

• Child is having disturbed sleep

• Not able to concentrate

• Repeated ear infection or pain

• Growth failure

What can you do?

• Use saline nasal drops or spray

• Keep the child's head elevated on the pillow while sleeping

• Keep child hydrated by offering plenty of fluids

• Consult your pediatrician if symptoms are persistent