Why Does How I Breathe Matter?
Breathing is something we all do without thinking about, but does how we breathe actually make a difference to our overall health and well-being? The short answer is yes! Proper nasal breathing is crucial for good health, and is something that many people take for granted. Breathing through our mouth is easy and gives us the amount of air we need, but it can have several negative effects on our health. Because the air is not filtered when we breathe through our mouth, it can increase the risk of respiratory infections, asthma, and allergies. Mouth breathing can also cause dry mouth, bad breath, cracked lips, cavities, and even increase stress and anxiety. (Blue Island Smiles, 2022) In addition, mouth breathing can have a negative impact on our facial structure. When we breathe through our mouth, our facial muscles are not being used properly, and this leads to a narrower jaw and dental malocclusion which can cause a range of health issues, including sleep apnea and headaches. So how