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Original poster

Open mouth breathing after pacifier

29 replies

Babykiki · 14/05/2023 22:07

My daughter just turned 3 and I was told by a dentist she has an open bite and to get rid of the pacifier immediately. It was heartbreaking but we did it last week and now I watch her sleep with an open mouth every night. I try keeping it closed for her for a little bit and her breathing sounds fine but as soon as I let go it opens again.

I am so worried this will cause tons of health issues. I know I waited too long to get rid of the pacifier... If I'd known it would cause open mouth breathing, I'd taken it away months ago. What do I do now???

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Anoana · 14/05/2023 22:11

Huh? Nothing, let her sleep! Am I missing some terrible health issues related to breathing through your mouth?

user50316 · 14/05/2023 22:22

I think that's just a "tiktok" thing - people have slept with their mouths open for years. Pacifiers cause a lot more problems!

QueSyrahSyrah · 14/05/2023 23:03

DH has been breathing through his mouth for 42 years and he's grand (if a bit snore-y when he sleeps on his back). Don't worry about it.

Original poster
Babykiki · 14/05/2023 23:12

https://lawsondentistry.com/blog/2020/06/effects-of-mouth-breathing-on-facial-dental-development/

This article details some of the many negative effects. I just Googled children and open mouth breathing and honestly some of the stuff I read like falling behind at school and low self esteem do seem a tad farfetched but overall it is bad for jaw development and a host of other things

mouth breathing

Mouth Breathing and Your Child: Why It Happens & How to Stop It

Your child's mouth breathing might seem funny or quirky, but it could be a sign of serious future health problems. Here's what you can do to stop it.

https://lawsondentistry.com/blog/2020/06/effects-of-mouth-breathing-on-facial-dental-development

OP posts:
Original poster
Babykiki · 14/05/2023 23:14

Im a techno dinosaur so I don't have tiktok or instagram etc but I googled open mouth breathing and every article I read said very bad things :( relating to child development

OP posts:
sillyonehetpes · 14/05/2023 23:34

Hello.

Open bite and mouth breather her. Also Master educated.

You will 100% want to get advise to get it sorted. Your child teeth will get worse, require braces and surgery. The nose also changes shape and the appearance isn't as good.

Start by taping up her mouth at night - you need to read up about that first.

Alloveragain3 · 14/05/2023 23:52

My son is 3 and sleeps like this. He's never had a dummy. I think some kids just do it!

sillyonehetpes · 15/05/2023 01:11

Alloveragain3 · 14/05/2023 23:52

My son is 3 and sleeps like this. He's never had a dummy. I think some kids just do it!

Yes and it's bad

LadyJ2023 · 15/05/2023 03:24

What is it with dummies and pacifiers all 3 of our under 2s had finished with them before they even turned 1. Next door neighbour has a almost 3 year ild and all his front teeth have curved in but she won't listen to dentist who has told her jaw problems are also starting, it affects talking to but she let's him keep his dummy

mightymam · 15/05/2023 11:36

Mouth breathing IS bad (child professional here). At the very least, please get your child checked by the doctor.

chortler · 15/05/2023 13:59

mightymam · 15/05/2023 11:36

Mouth breathing IS bad (child professional here). At the very least, please get your child checked by the doctor.

Ha as if the GP would do anything about it.

mightymam · 15/05/2023 14:01

Hoping the OP doesn't share your cynicism @chortler and gets a valid medical opinion.

Anoana · 15/05/2023 14:10

Trying to envision booking a doctors appointment and sitting there saying 'my child breathes through their mouth' 😆

mightymam · 15/05/2023 14:20

Anoana · 15/05/2023 14:10

Trying to envision booking a doctors appointment and sitting there saying 'my child breathes through their mouth' 😆

Or using your brain and saying "I'm worried my baby sleeps open mouthed because I've read it could signal XYZ" and letting the doctor take it from their with their clinical questioning skills to determine if there's a problem or not.

Twilightstarbright · 15/05/2023 14:20

It is an issue- DS does it at almost 6 and will require surgery. The mouth breathing was a symptom of both a jaw deformity and huge tonsils which have since been removed.

No dummies or thumb sucking here which can make it more common. The Speech and language therapist we were under told us to see our GP about it and we then then got referred to ENT.

mightymam · 15/05/2023 14:31

there*

Anoana · 15/05/2023 16:32

Surely a decent proportion do?

sillyonehetpes · 15/05/2023 17:26

Anoana · 15/05/2023 14:10

Trying to envision booking a doctors appointment and sitting there saying 'my child breathes through their mouth' 😆

Thankfully you are now more educated

sillyonehetpes · 15/05/2023 17:37

Anoana · 15/05/2023 16:32

Surely a decent proportion do?

No

Alloveragain3 · 15/05/2023 18:24

@sillyonehetpes Can you please link to a study endorsing taping a child's mouth shut?

chortler · 15/05/2023 18:33

Twilightstarbright · 15/05/2023 14:20

It is an issue- DS does it at almost 6 and will require surgery. The mouth breathing was a symptom of both a jaw deformity and huge tonsils which have since been removed.

No dummies or thumb sucking here which can make it more common. The Speech and language therapist we were under told us to see our GP about it and we then then got referred to ENT.

What was he seeing an SLT for out of interest?

ChocChipHandbag · 15/05/2023 18:58

Alloveragain3 · 15/05/2023 18:24

@sillyonehetpes Can you please link to a study endorsing taping a child's mouth shut?

Absolutely terrifying. That post is dangerous.

Twilightstarbright · 15/05/2023 20:00

@chortler excessive dribbling and unclear speech.

Original poster
Babykiki · 15/05/2023 20:42

Thank you,
I've booked an appointment with the dentist for next week.

OP posts:
Original poster
Babykiki · 15/05/2023 20:50

And I will take her to GP for ENT referral. Im not sure mouth taping is safe. I'll see what the doctor recommends. Hopefully things are not too bad yet, but yes letting her keep her dummy until age 3 was a mistake.

OP posts: