How to Solve Mouth Breathing

Mouth breathing is often caused by blocked nasal passages. When this happens, your body automatically switches to mouth---as opposed to nasal---breathing to get the oxygen it needs. In most cases, nasal allergies are the culprit when it comes to chronically blocked sinuses and mouth breathing.

Things You'll Need

• Allergy testing
• Allergy medicines

Instructions

1. Keep a "diary" of your allergy symptoms. Write down which foods or conditions---such as being around grass, decaying leaves or pollen---seem to make the symptoms worse, as well as when and where this occurred. Share this information with your physician.

2. Get an allergy skin prick test; it will be done on your forearm or back. Your doctor will place a drop of each suspected allergen and gently prick or scratch your skin, letting the droplet seep into your skin. If you are allergic to a given allergen, a red bump will form within 15 to 30 minutes.

3. Ask your doctor about an intradermal allergy skin test, which is more sensitive than the skin prick test. In these tests, the suspected allergen is injected under the top layer of your skin. Again, you should know the results within 15 to 30 minutes.

4. Treat your allergy symptoms and avoid allergy triggers. Your doctor may prescribe a drug such as Zyrtec or advise that you take over-the-counter medications. These should help to keep your nasal passages open so that you can breathe through your nose.

References

• Atlanta Dentist: Mouth Breathing
• American College of Asthma, Allergy and Immunology: Allergy Testing