When you think about getting a good night's sleep, you most likely don't think about the impact that breathing through your mouth might have on the quality of your sleep.
The fact is that mouth breathing can interrupt your REM (rapid eye movement) cycle and the REM cycle is vital in helping you to function at your best. Mouth breathing can be caused by various factors including, a deviated septum, nasal congestion, allergies, snoring and sinus infections. Nasal breathing has been found to lower blood pressure and it improves lung capacity and reduces your exposure to foreign substances.
If you aren't sure whether you breathe through your mouth at night or not, some common symptoms are dry mouth, bad breath, snoring and dental issues like gum disease and cavities. And if you get up in the morning and feeling more fatigued that could indicate mouth breathing.
There are a few tips to help you reduce or eliminate mouth breathing while you are sleeping:
1) Nasal strips can help you keep your airway open and are available in a couple of different sizes and some are suitable for those with sensitive skin.
2) Mouth tape is fairly new on the scene and can help reduce snoring and improves your air intake quality by filtering out dust and allergens and also humidifies the air you breathe in.
3) Humidifying the air in your bedroom can also aid in opening up your nasal passages and also helps to purify and circulate the air in your sleep space.
If mouth breathing continues to be an issue for you after trying these tips, consult with your doctor to discuss the possible need for additional testing to determine the reason for your mouth breathing.
