Serving patients of Erwin, Jonesborough, and Greeneville TN
Tooth decay is the most common disease among adolescents and adults alike. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nine out of ten adults over the age of 20 suffer from some form of tooth decay. When tooth decay is not treated, it causes cavities, which could encourage more damaging effects to your oral health. Most people assume that poor oral hygiene and sugar are the primary causes of cavities. While these two culprits are to blame, they aren’t the only problem. Mouth breathing is a significant cause of tooth decay.
To help you understand how you can stop getting cavities caused by mouth breathing, Tusculum Dental Care is sharing information about mouth breathing, and how myofunctional therapy in Greeneville could help.
Your Oral Health Care Regimen
The number one cause of cavities is neglecting to implement an oral hygiene routine. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that you brush your teeth twice per day, floss daily, and visit your dentist for regular checkups and cleanings every six months to prevent common dental problems. Our Greeneville family dental office, Tusculum Dental Care, encourages patients to take ownership of their dental care to prevent cavities and other expensive dental care problems.
Mouth Breathing
The human body is home to both good and bad bacteria. Your mouth is filled with a microbiome of bacteria, and mouth breathing could encourage the production of bad bacteria, which causes cavities. Breathing consistently through your mouth causes an unbalanced pH level, which increases your risk of cavities. Some patients suffer from mouth breathing while sleeping, which causes mucous membranes to dry out due to a lack of moisture. Saliva is a natural lubricant that helps remove cavity-causing bacteria and plaque and can relieve dry mouth symptoms. However, if you consistently sleep with your mouth open, it may be time to visit Tusculum Dental Care for additional treatment options.
Myofunctional Therapy
A rising treatment in dentistry for mouth breathing is myofunctional therapy, which is a form of physical therapy for your mouth and tongue. Each patient responds to treatment differently, but the average course of treatment could help relieve mouth breathing for six months. The overall goal of our certified myofunctional therapists in Greeneville is to achieve correct swallowing patterns, encourage nasal breathing, and proper rest oral posture. When you are not speaking or eating, your orofacial resting position should be lips together, teeth closed, and your tongue resting on the roof of your mouth. While at rest, the position encourages nasal breathing, which is more beneficial for your oral and overall health.
Myofunctional Therapist in Greeneville, Jonesborough, and Erwin, Tennessee
Mouth breathing could cause severe damage to your oral health, resulting in cavities. Myofunctional therapy could help your body prevent dangerous cavity-causing bacteria from attacking your mouth while breathing better. Also, establishing and maintaining a proper oral health care regimen could help restore your mouth to optimum oral health. If you have questions about mouth breathing or would like to set up an appointment to discuss the condition further, feel free to Tusculum Dental Care at (423) 639-7575 or book an appointment online.