Proper Nasal Breathing
It is well known that “breath is life.” Humans can't survive for more than a few minutes without breath. Yet most of us take breathing for granted. But what impact does breathing have on your oral health? Mouth breathing, for example, causes your saliva to dry up, resulting in your smile being under attack from acidic plaque buildup. This increases the risk of tooth decay (cavities), gum disease, and halitosis (chronic bad breath). Proper nasal breathing is a key factor in good oral health, and when we regulate nasal breathing, our body becomes harmonious, strong, and balanced, and your oral health benefits.
Since you have read this blog post, have you noticed your breathing?
What causes mouth breathing?
We have all suffered thru cold and flu season and maybe springtime allergies forcing us to breathe thru our mouth due to sinus congestion. This isn't what we are talking about here.
A mouth breather is a person who almost exclusively breathes in and out through their mouth rather than their nose. Most people who breathe through their mouths suffer from an underlying health issue.
Most common issues;
Chronic allergies, colds, and sinus conditions
COPD, asthma, or chronic breathing issues
Deviated septum
Tonsil or adenoids inflammation
History of thumb or digit-sucking in early childhood resulting in poor jaw and tooth development
Polyps or cysts in the sinus or throat.
Abnormal development of airway structures, including cleft lip and palate
Here are a few breathing exercises we would like to share with you!
1. Breathing Counts
To quickly decompress from anxiety, give this method a try.
Breathe in through your nose while counting to 4
Hold your breath and count to 7
Then exhale through your mouth while counting to 8.
Repeat this pattern seven times.
Be sure to keep your tongue pressed against the back of your front teeth!
2. Diaphragm Breathing Exercise
Lie on your back with one hand on your upper chest and the other right below your rib cage. Breathe slowly through your nose, feeling only your belly moving. This exercise helps to calm the nervous system, strengthen the diaphragm, and increase relaxation.
3. Retained Breath
This breath is beneficial for increasing concentration. To start, place one hand on your stomach and relax your abdominal muscles. Next, slowly inhale through your nose, bringing the air into the bottom of your lungs, and continue to inhale as your lungs expand. At the height of your inhalation, pause and then exhale from the top of your lungs to the bottom.
4. Simple Equal Breath
Inhale through your nose for four counts, and then exhale through your nose for four counts. This breathing exercise will help reduce stress and calm your mind and can be practiced anywhere.