In your quest to achieve and maintain optimal oral health, you may not have considered the effect of your breathing. The truth is that mouth breathing — a common issue, especially during sleep — can have a significant impact on not just your oral health, but your jaw and facial development, as well. 

In this blog post, we’ll explore the causes of mouth breathing, its effect on oral health and development, and how to recognize and address it.

The Basics of Mouth Breathing

Breathing through your mouth isn’t usually a conscious choice; it occurs when you can’t breathe through your nose, whether it’s due to enlarged tonsils or adenoids, a deviated septum, or a chronic stuffy nose. Mouth breathing can also occur due to stress and may be habitual.

In most cases, people develop mouth breathing problems as children, potentially leading to lifelong oral and systemic health problems, including dry mouth, tooth decay, sleep disorders, and facial development issues. 

While the air makes its way to your lungs no matter whether you breathe through your nose or mouth, there are significant differences between the two methods. When you breathe through your nose, the cilia — tiny hairs inside your nose — filter out pollutants and allergens. Breathing  through your mouth doesn’t offer the same protection from debris. 

Additionally, your throat and lungs function better with warm, moist air. When air goes through your nose, it warms up until it’s closer to the temperature of your body, which makes it easier for your tissues to absorb. The air you take in through your mouth is colder and drier. 

The Impact of Mouth Breathing on Oral Health

Mouth breathing has a negative impact on oral health, creating an environment in which bacteria can thrive and disrupting the mouth’s natural cleaning processes.

Dry Mouth

One of the biggest complaints from those who breathe through their mouths — especially at night — is dry mouth, also known as xerostomia. When your mouth hangs open for long periods of time, it dries out, and your body isn’t able to produce enough saliva to keep up with the increased demand. 

Saliva plays a crucial role in oral health. It rinses away harmful bacteria, keeping your mouth clean and preventing plaque formation. Without it, you’re at risk of tooth decay, cavities, and tartar buildup.

Tooth Decay and Gum Disease

Mouth breathing inhibits saliva production, which allows bacteria and plaque to flourish in the mouth and creates an acidic oral environment. This can cause tooth decay (cavities), potentially leading to complications such as abscesses, broken teeth, chewing problems, debilitating pain, and even tooth loss. 

A lack of saliva can also lead to gum disease, which may escalate to periodontitis if left untreated. Periodontitis is a serious gum infection that can lead to gum recession, swelling and bleeding gums, chronic bad breath, and even destroy the bone supporting your teeth, causing them to loosen or fall out. 

Effects on Jaw and Facial Development

Mouth breathing can also affect the shape of the face and jaw. Individuals who developed mouth breathing problems as children often have an elongated or narrow face shape that doesn’t have enough room for the teeth or tongue. They may also have gummy smiles, retruded chins, poor posture, and constricted airways. 

Because of these developmental issues, there is a significant link between mouth breathing and malocclusion, which occurs when the upper and lower teeth don’t align properly, necessitating orthodontic work as children grow older. Breathing through your nose, on the other hand, causes your tongue to fill the palate space and promotes proper forward growth of the jawbones, ensuring that the teeth have enough room.

Recognizing and Addressing Mouth Breathing

It’s important to recognize and address mouth breathing early. If you or your child struggles with dry lips, bad breath, or waking with a dry mouth, consult with a dentist or orthodontist. Potential treatments include using a humidifier, taking nasal decongestants, or orthodontic devices. Structural issues, such as a deviated septum, may need to be addressed through surgery.

At Eric Felt DDS, we are dedicated to ensuring our patients have a lifetime of happy, healthy smiles. With our wide range of dental services, we can give you the quality dental care you deserve. If you need help addressing your mouth breathing, contact us today to schedule an appointment.

When it comes to oral health, most people’s main concerns are cavities, gum disease, alignment, or aesthetics. However, some conditions are lesser-known but equally important, such as hyperdontia and hypodontia. These conditions involve anomalies in the number of teeth an individual has, potentially leading to a number of complications.

In this blog post, we’ll explore the details of hyperdontia and hypodontia, the causes and symptoms of these conditions, and treatment options.

How Many Teeth Should I Have?

Before we get into conditions affecting the number of teeth an individual has, let’s establish a baseline for what’s considered normal when it comes to dental development.

A baby’s first tooth typically erupts at about six months of age. By age 10, they usually have all 20 of their baby teeth — 10 on top and 10 on bottom — which are gradually replaced by permanent teeth. 

Adults should have 32 teeth, including eight incisors, four canines, eight premolars, and 12 molars, including wisdom teeth. Most people don’t have room in their mouths for wisdom teeth, necessitating extraction. This leaves them with eight molars, which makes 28 teeth total.

What is Hyperdontia?

When an individual has more than the usual 20 baby teeth or 32 permanent teeth, this is known as hyperdontia. While these extra teeth can appear anywhere, they’re most commonly found on the upper jaw in the incisor or molar regions.

Causes

The exact cause of this condition is not always clear; however, there are several possible contributing factors, including: 

• Genetics: If an individual’s parents or siblings have hyperdontia, there’s a higher chance they will have extra teeth, as well.
• Developmental syndromes: Several conditions, including cleidocranial dysplasia, Gardner’s syndrome, and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome are associated with the development of extra teeth.
• Environmental factors: Although less common, certain developmental disturbances and environmental factors during tooth formation can lead to extra teeth.

Symptoms

If the extra teeth are not causing issues, hyperdontia can be asymptomatic. When symptoms are present, they may include:

• Crowding and misalignment
• Displacement of adjacent teeth
• Difficulty speaking or chewing
• Delayed development of permanent teeth
• Cysts or tumors around the extra teeth

Treatment Options

Hyperdontia treatment depends on the number of extra teeth, their positions, and how they impact the rest of the teeth. If they’re not causing any issues, monitoring may be sufficient; however, if there is misalignment or crowding, extraction is often the best choice. Post-extraction, orthodontic treatment may be necessary to correct any spacing issues or misalignment.

What is Hypodontia?

Hypodontia is a condition in which some teeth are congenitally missing, causing the individual to have fewer than the usual number of teeth. It can range from the absence of one or two teeth to more severe instances where six or more teeth are missing.

Causes

Like with hyperdontia, there are many possible causes of this condition, including:

• Genetics: Mutations or disruptions in the genes responsible for tooth development can result in missing teeth.
• Medical conditions: Ectodermal dysplasia, Van der Woude syndrome, and Down syndrome, among other conditions, are often linked to hypodontia. 
• Environmental factors: Trauma, infections during pregnancy, and exposure to certain chemicals or drugs can interfere with tooth development.

Symptoms

Symptoms can vary based on the number and location of missing teeth. Individuals may experience:

• Spaces or gaps between teeth
• Difficulty speaking or chewing
• Misaligned teeth
• Aesthetic concerns

Treatment Options

The goal of hypodontia treatment is to restore both function and aesthetics. Options include:

• Dental implants: As a popular choice for replacing missing teeth, dental implants are known for providing a permanent solution that looks and feels natural.
• Bridges and dentures: These restorations can fill gaps left by missing teeth, improving both functionality and appearance.
• Orthodontics: Braces, aligners, and other orthodontic treatments can align teeth and close gaps. 
• Restorative dentistry: Restorative techniques such as veneers, bonding, and crowns can improve the appearance and function of smiles affected by hypodontia.

Importance of Early Detection and Treatment

Early detection and intervention are essential for minimizing the impact of both hyperdontia and hypodontia. Regular dental check-ups beginning in early childhood allow these conditions to be identified in a timely manner, preventing complications down the line through an appropriate treatment plan.

Ensure Healthy Development with Eric Felt DDS

At Eric Felt DDS, we are committed to ensuring healthy oral development through all stages of life. If you have concerns about you or your child’s smile, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with our dedicated dental professionals or contact us with any questions. With a little help from us, you can enjoy happy, healthy smiles that last a lifetime.

As a parent, you’re responsible for your child’s smile, in more ways than one. In addition to ensuring their happiness, you must also protect their oral health and monitor their dental development. As such, it can be concerning to discover that your child has a double row of teeth. 

This phenomenon, sometimes known as “shark teeth,” may be alarming at first glance; however, understanding why your child may have a double row of teeth and learning what steps to take can help alleviate your concerns.

Understanding “Shark Teeth”

Sharks have a different dental structure than humans, often having multiple rows of teeth. This is where the name “shark teeth” comes from. In humans, this condition typically occurs when a child’s permanent teeth come in before their baby teeth have fallen out, forming two separate rows of teeth. This condition usually arises when a child is around the age of 6 or 7, but it can occur at different ages, as well.

Why Does It Happen?

The primary reason children sometimes have a double row of teeth is a discrepancy between the timing of development and the space available in the mouth. Normally, as permanent teeth develop, they push against the roots of the baby teeth, eventually causing them to fall out. However, if permanent teeth come in too quickly or the baby teeth are especially stubborn, the new teeth may emerge behind the old ones, resulting in two rows.

Several factors can contribute to this condition, including:

• Crowding: If there’s insufficient space in the mouth, the permanent teeth may not be able to push out the baby teeth properly.
• Timing: Sometimes, permanent teeth start to come in before the baby teeth are ready to fall out.
• Tooth alignment: In certain cases, permanent teeth may grow at a position that doesn’t effectively push the baby teeth out.

Is a Double Row of Teeth a Cause for Concern?

While a double row of teeth might look worrisome, you can take a breath of relief — it’s not usually cause for significant concern. Most of the time, this condition resolves on its own. The baby teeth will eventually loosen and fall out, and the permanent teeth will shift into their proper positions. However, there are situations where intervention may be necessary.

When to See the Dentist

It’s always a good idea to visit your child’s dentist if any unusual changes occur. Specifically, you should consult a dentist if:

• Your child experiences pain or discomfort
• The baby teeth don’t seem to be loosening on their own
• The permanent teeth are coming in misaligned or crooked

What Can a Dentist Do?

During your child’s visit, their dentist will examine their teeth and determine the best course of action. In many cases, the dentist will simply monitor the situation, ensuring the baby teeth eventually fall out and the permanent teeth naturally move into place.

If your child’s baby teeth do not come out on their own, the dentist may recommend extracting them in order to give the permanent teeth the space they need to come in properly. Misalignment or crowding may necessitate a referral to an orthodontist for further evaluation.

Preventive Measures

While there’s not much you can do to prevent your child from developing a double row of teeth, there are steps you can take to support their overall oral health and reduce their risk of complications, including scheduling regular check-ups at the dentist’s office. These appointments aid in early detection and management of issues.

Additionally, it’s important to teach your child good oral hygiene habits like brushing and flossing. Ensure they eat a balanced diet that includes plenty of calcium to support their overall dental health. When your child’s teeth and gums are healthy, it will support a smoother transition from baby teeth to permanent teeth.

Comprehensive Pediatric Dental Care in Cottonwood Heights, UT

At Eric Felt DDS, we are committed to helping children develop happy, healthy smiles that will last a lifetime. Whether your child has a double row of teeth or not, our team of dental professionals can provide the expert care they need. If you have any concerns about your child’s dental health, don’t hesitate to contact us. 

While you’re at it, why don’t you schedule yourself a check-up and cleaning, as well? At Eric Felt DDS, we are proud to offer comprehensive dental care for the whole family.