The Problem
Trouble breathing is so common that most of us might not even know we're experiencing it — or what we're missing out on.
The Solution
Nose breathing stops mouth breathing. If you want to take control of your breathing pattern it’s time you open your nose and shut your mouth. While there are a lot of options out there on the market for nasal dilators, Intake is the only one that holds your nose open to its widest, fixed point, for the longest amount of time. Let us help you achieve your best breath.
The Science
Nose breathing has incredible benefits for all areas of your body.
Here are the highlights.
01 Why you shouldn't be mouth breathing
Are you aware that your mouth breathing habit can have serious implications for your health? Recent studies from the American Academy of Otolaryngology suggest that more than half of all adults and even more kids suffer from mouth breathing.
This seemingly innocuous habit can have far-reaching consequences, affecting your cardiovascular system, metabolism, posture, dental health, sleep, emotional well-being and more.
Just take a look at these shocking stats that show why it’s so important to kick the mouth breathing habit:
- It can lead to long-term issues like depression, anxiety, and postural problems.
- During exercise, mouth breathing can cause quick and shallow breaths, elevated heart rate, reduced oxygen absorption and dehydration.
- 79.2% of people who mouth breathe are more likely to suffer from asthma, allergies and other respiratory issues.
- Dry mouth, gum disease, and tooth decay are all linked to excessive inhalation of air.
- It can also cause snoring, shallow sleep, and insomnia.
- Your risk of respiratory diseases increases.
- Headaches due to oxygen deprivation become more common.
- Memory problems, poor digestion, and high blood pressure can all result.
- Low oxygen levels in the brain are also a risk.
Mouth breathing can have a seriously detrimental effect on your health, so it’s important to be aware of the risks and take steps to prevent it.
02 What about snoring?
Snoring is an incredibly common (yet annoying) phenomenon that affects millions of people around the globe. It can be caused by a number of different issues, and if left unchecked can lead to further health complications. Let’s explore the various causes of snoring and why it is important to address the problem.
Causes of Snoring:
- Sleep position: Sleeping on your back can cause the muscles and tissues in your throat to relax, resulting in snoring.
- Nasal problems: Allergies and other nasal issues can cause inflammation which can lead to snoring.
- Weight gain: Excessive weight or obesity can cause the tissues in the throat to become overworked, leading to snoring.
- Alcohol and sedatives: Alcohol and sedatives relax the throat muscles, which can lead to snoring.
Why Snoring Is Bad For You:
- Poor sleep quality: Snoring can cause poor quality sleep, leading to problems with concentration, memory, and overall health.
- Cardiovascular problems: Snoring can lead to high blood pressure, stroke, and heart disease.
- Sleep deprivation: Snoring can lead to sleep deprivation, which can cause a variety of issues such as fatigue and irritability.
- Relationship issues: Snoring can cause problems in relationships, as it can be extremely disruptive to a partner’s sleep.
Snoring can have a significant impact on both your physical and mental health. By understanding the causes of snoring, you can take steps to address the problem and improve your quality of life. Whether it is changing your sleep position, getting treatment for allergies or losing weight, there are a number of ways to reduce snoring and its associated risks.
03 Sleep health
It is well known that how we breathe, while we sleep, can have a significant impact on our overall health, yet few people are aware of the benefits of nose breathing over mouth breathing during sleep. This article looks to highlight the advantages that nose breathing can bring as well as the potentially detrimental consequences of mouth breathing.
Benefits of Nose Breathing While Sleeping:
- It may help to reduce snoring and improve overall sleep quality.
- It helps to filter and warm the air before it reaches the lungs, reducing the risk of airborne illnesses.
- It can help to reduce stress and anxiety.
- It helps to regulate the production of hormones such as melatonin and cortisol.
- It can help to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases and asthma.
Cons of Mouth Breathing While Sleeping:
- It can lead to dry mouth and bad breath.
- It can lead to a sore throat, chest pain, and headaches.
- It can disrupt your body’s natural sleep cycle, leading to fatigue and daytime sleepiness.
- It can increase the risk of respiratory problems such as congestion and sinusitis.
- It can cause a decrease in oxygen levels, leading to fatigue and other health problems.
As this article has demonstrated, nose breathing while sleeping offers many benefits over mouth breathing. Not only can nose breathing help to improve overall sleep quality and reduce stress, but it can also reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, asthma, and respiratory problems. While mouth breathing does have some benefits, the risks and potential health problems associated with it should not be ignored.
04 Exercise
Exercising and staying active are essential for maintaining physical and mental health. Many people believe that mouth breathing during exercise is the best option, however, this is not necessarily true. Nose breathing during exercise can provide a variety of benefits that make it a great alternative to mouth breathing.
Benefits of Nose Breathing while Exercising:
- Improves oxygen delivery to the muscles: Nose breathing aids in the delivery of oxygen to the muscles, allowing them to be exercised more efficiently, leading to greater muscular strength and endurance.
- Enhances cardiovascular endurance: Nasal breathing helps to regulate the heart rate and improve cardiovascular endurance.
- Improves circulation: Nasal breathing helps to increase the oxygenation of the blood, leading to improved circulation and a decrease in the risk of cardiovascular disease.
- Enhances mental clarity: Nasal breathing helps to relax the mind, allowing for improved mental clarity and focus during exercise.
- Increases respiratory efficiency: Nose breathing increases the efficiency of the respiratory system, reducing the amount of energy required to breathe and enabling longer and more intense workouts.
Problems with Mouth Breathing while Exercising:
- Reduced oxygen delivery to the muscles: Mouth breathing does not allow for proper oxygen delivery to the muscles, resulting in a decrease in muscular strength and endurance.
- Increased risk of dehydration: Mouth breathing can cause dehydration, as it does not allow for the efficient exchange of air and moisture.
- Shallow breathing: Mouth breathing can lead to shallow breathing, which can cause fatigue and reduce the efficiency of the respiratory system.
- Increased stress: Mouth breathing can cause increased levels of stress, leading to mental and physical exhaustion.
Nose breathing during exercise can provide numerous benefits that can help to improve overall performance and health. It can improve oxygen delivery to the muscles, enhance cardiovascular endurance, improve circulation, increase respiratory efficiency, and enhance mental clarity. Additionally, it can reduce the risk of dehydration and shallow breathing, while decreasing stress levels. Therefore, nose breathing is a great alternative to mouth breathing during exercise.
05 Oral health
Mouth breathing can have serious consequences on your oral health, leading to long term dental issues that can be hard to fix. Research has revealed that mouth breathing can have a hugely detrimental effect on the health of your teeth and gums, so it is important to understand why this is the case. This article will go through the reasons why mouth breathing is bad for your oral health.
Reasons why mouth breathing is bad for your oral health:
- Bad breath: Mouth breathing can reduce the amount of saliva that you produce. Saliva is important for keeping breath fresh, as it helps to break down food particles, which can cause bad breath.
- Dry mouth: Saliva is also important for keeping your mouth moist and healthy. Without enough saliva, your mouth can become dry, making your teeth and gums prone to damage.
- Tooth decay: Without saliva to wash away food particles, they can linger in your mouth and attack your enamel. This can eventually lead to cavities, erosion, discoloration, and other forms of tooth decay.
- Gum disease: A dry mouth can also increase the risk of gum disease. Without enough saliva to flush away bacteria, plaque can build up and cause infection and inflammation.
- Jaw problems: Mouth breathing can cause the lower jaw to develop incorrectly, leading to an overbite or crooked teeth.
The above points should make it clear why mouth breathing can be bad for your oral health. It is important to be aware of the risks and take steps to prevent it, such as using a humidifier at night or avoiding certain foods. With the right care and attention, you can protect your oral health and keep your teeth and gums healthy.
06 Brain health
Breathing is a vital part of life and while we don’t think about it too often, the way we breathe can have a serious impact on our brain health and development. Mouth breathing, in particular, can have some serious negative effects, while nose breathing can ensure that our brains are functioning at their best. This article will outline why mouth breathing is bad for your brain health and development and why nose breathing is good for your brain health and development.
Why Mouth Breathing is Bad for Your Brain Health and Development:
- It can lead to the development of sleep-related issues such as Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), which can cause a range of cognitive issues such as difficulty concentrating, memory problems, and slowed reaction times.
- Long-term mouth breathing can cause a decrease in oxygen delivery to the brain, leading to a range of neurological problems such as headaches, poor concentration, and depression.
- It can also lead to an imbalance in carbon dioxide and oxygen levels, which can cause dizziness, confusion, and even fainting.
- It can cause dry mouth, which can lead to an overgrowth of bacteria, leading to a range of oral health issues such as cavities, bad breath, and gum disease.
Why Nose Breathing is Good for Your Brain Health and Development:
- It is more efficient than mouth breathing and allows for more oxygen to reach the brain, resulting in better cognitive performance.
- It can help reduce the risk of sleep-related disorders such as OSA as it helps to keep the airways open.
- It helps promote a healthy balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide levels, reducing the risk of feeling dizzy or confused.
- It can help reduce the risk of dry mouth and the subsequent overgrowth of bacteria, resulting in improved oral health.
Conclusion:
Overall, it is clear that mouth breathing can have a significant negative impact on our brain health and development, while nose breathing can help ensure that our brains are functioning at their best. It is important to be aware of the potential effects of mouth breathing and to make sure that we are taking steps to breathe through our nose to ensure that our brain health and development are not compromised.