Allergies and Asthma
Sinus inflammation, congestion and postnasal drip are often associated with allergies. However, they could be a result of a narrow airway. This is true especially in cases where the patient experiences year-long “allergies”. A large number of patients who breathe through their mouth also display the signs and symptoms of allergies. The airway is directly linked to both asthma and asthma like symptoms. Most people treat their asthma with medication or palliative treatments. However, asthma may be treated with a combination of myofunctional therapy and dental appliances. Widening of the dental arches along with nasal breathing has brought relief to many people who are suffering asthma like symptoms.
Mouth breathing can make allergies worse as the nose is a highly effective filtration system, filtering, warming, and humidifying the air we breathe. When the patient breathes through their nose many of the particles and pollutants are filtered by a number of structures and systems before they have a chance to reach the airway. Bacteria and viruses are also removed meaning we are less exposed to them which is easier on our immune system.
Nasal breathing also creates the production and supply of nasal nitric oxide. This cellular signaling molecule is connected to several important bodily processes, including the reduction of inflammation.
Myofunctional therapy focuses on proper lip seal and tongue posture so that the patient is breathing through their nose on a regular basis thus reducing allergies and asthma attacks