Mouth Breathing Increases Tooth Decay Risk, According To Study; Tips To Prevent Tooth Decay

Many people unknowingly sleep with their mouths open, only to wake up with a very dry mouth. This might seem harmless to some people but according to a new study, mouth breathing increases tooth decay risk.

The study -- published by the Journal of Oral Rehabilitation and reported by Medical Daily -- finds that people who breathe through their mouths when sleeping are more likely to develop tooth decay in the future. The research involved the study of 10 participants with no dental problems by using a mouth piece to measure their pH levels for four days. The participants who were forced to breathe through their mouth had an average of 6.6 pH level.

A 6.6 pH level is considered as acidic which is harmful for a person's teeth. "Acid-producing bacteria thrive in the absence of saliva. Acid breaks down our teeth causing cavities and irritates soft tissues in the oral cavity. Saliva production decreases at night, so mouth breather's are at an increased risk for symptoms of dry mouth, cavities and gingival inflammation," dentist Hargun K. Singh told Medical Daily.

Livestrong also shared some tips on how to stop mouth breathing while sleeping. Reminding yourself to breathe through your nose as often as possible; performing a nose-clearing exercise before going to sleep; applying nasal saline spray or a neti pot to clear nasal pathways; removing allergens from sleeping environment; and performing regular exercise are some of the best ways to stop mouth breathing during sleep time.

There are also some effective tips to prevent tooth decay such as brushing your teeth at least twice a day; using dental floss or interdental cleaners to clean the spaces between each tooth; rinsing the mouth with mouthwash to eliminate bacteria; eating nutritious foods and avoiding sugary foods; and regular visits to the dentist for cleaning and to check for any sign of tooth decay, according to WebMD.