In the last two years, I have really taken a deep dive into reading about breathing, and it’s association on growth and development, as well as overall health. As an orthodontist, I look at profiles all day long and in my over 12 years in the field of orthodontics, its easy to see that over 60% of our population has small lower jaws, overbites, and are chronic mouth breathers. This mouth breathing leads to a characteristic profile, that is both considered unhealthy as well as by some, unattractive in our culture. As an orthodontist, you pick up on patterns, and then you can’t unsee that we have a chronic mouth breathing epidemic in our country. I take it as my passion and privilege to educate my patients that orthodontists can play a major role in improving overall health. We are no longer just “tooth-straighteners,” I believe we have a duty to treat our patients holistically and comprehensively, in order to set them up to live their best life for decades and decades. Please enjoy this summary of one of the books I found quite interesting on this topic.
The Oxygen Advantage by Patrick McKeown emphasizes the profound effects of proper breathing on physical health and athletic performance. Central to the book is the idea that dysfunctional breathing—often characterized by mouth breathing, over-breathing, and poor diaphragmatic engagement—leads to suboptimal oxygen delivery, which can affect overall health.
The Buteyko Method is a breathing technique that uses breath control and breath-holding exercises to treat a variety of health conditions. It’s based on the idea that faulty breathing patterns can cause symptoms and that the body has self-healing capabilities. Some potential benefits of the Buteyko Method include: improving breathing and circulation, treating stress and anxiety, improving sleep quality, enhancing athletic performance, and helping people with asthma reduce their medication needs.
For orthodontists, the book highlights the critical connection between orofacial development, airway health, and breathing patterns. This perspective emphasizes how orthodontic treatment can influence breathing and vice versa, making the book an essential resource for those focusing on comprehensive patient care.
My Interpretation through an Orthodontic Lens
- Breathing and Orofacial Development
Mouth breathing, often associated with improper maxillary and mandibular growth, is a common concern in orthodontics. This book underscores the importance of addressing these patterns early to promote balanced orofacial growth and optimal airway space. - Orthodontics as a Gateway to Airway Health
Orthodontists are uniquely positioned to identify and intervene in airway and breathing dysfunctions. Treatment plans can integrate strategies to encourage nasal breathing, such as palatal expansion or myofunctional therapy. - Holistic Patient Care
Incorporating breathing assessments and education into orthodontic care helps align with broader health goals, improving patient outcomes in growth, development, and overall wellness.