Nasal vs Mouth Breathing

So which channel of breathing is better for my health?

Great question — Nasal breathing is better than mouth breathing for a number of reasons:

• Filtration: Your nose filters out dust, allergens, and germs with little hairs (cilia) and mucus, while your mouth doesn’t filter anything.

• Humidification: Air gets humidified and warmed up in the nose, making it gentler on your lungs.

• Nitric oxide production: Breathing through the nose produces nitric oxide, which helps expand blood vessels and improve oxygen delivery in the body.

• Better oxygen uptake: Nasal breathing slows your breath and improves the ratio of oxygen and carbon dioxide, helping your body use oxygen more efficiently.

• Oral health: Mouth breathing can dry out your mouth, leading to bad breath, cavities, and gum disease.

• Face and jaw development: Especially in children, nasal breathing encourages better jaw and facial bone development. Chronic mouth breathing can cause facial structure changes over time.

• Sleep quality: Last but not least mouth breathing is linked to sleep apnea and snoring; nasal breathing usually leads to deeper, better sleep.

Ultimately, your nose is like a high-tech air processor, and your mouth is just a backup!