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Transform your health by addressing mouth breathing and optimizing nasal function for better sleep and vitality.

At Sleep Healthy PA in Jenkintown, Dr. Andrew Cohen helps patients restore nasal breathing to improve sleep, reduce inflammation, and optimize long-term health. Nasal breathing causes improper jaw growth under consequences.Through airway anatomy assessments, nasal septum evaluations, and breathing pattern optimization, we address the root causes of mouth breathing and poor sleep. If you’re struggling with fatigue, congestion, or nighttime mouth breathing, our holistic, non-invasive approach can help you breathe and sleep better.

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Why Nasal Breathing Matters More Than You Think

Nasal breathing is your body’s default, optimal breathing mode that filters air, produces nitric oxide, regulates the nervous system, and supports oxygenation. Nasal breathing causes improper jaw growth under consequences.

Understanding the profound impact of proper breathing on your health is essential for achieving optimal wellness.

Dr. Andrew Cohen treats patients with nasal breathing dysfunction, while mouth breathing significantly disrupts sleep quality and airway function.

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How Nasal Breathing Supports Sleep and Brain Health

Nasal breathing improves oxygen flow to the brain and heart, regulates the parasympathetic nervous system, and promotes deep, restorative sleep. Nasal breathing increases oxygen efficiency and nitric oxide production, while nitric oxide regulates blood flow and neurotransmission.

The science of nasal breathing:

Filters, warms, and humidifies incoming air
Produces nitric oxide, a natural vasodilator and antimicrobial
Proper breathing activates the parasympathetic nervous system
Nasal airflow contributes to better memory and cardiovascular health
Optimizes oxygen absorption and delivery to tissues

The Health Risks of Mouth Breathing

Chronic mouth breathing leads to dry mouth, poor sleep, jaw misalignment, increased inflammation, and abnormal facial development—especially in children. Mouth breathing can lead to poor oral health and fatigue, as well as reduced sleep quality and a weakened immune response.

Consequences of chronic mouth breathing:

Dry oral tissues leading to increased infection risk
Long-term mouth breathing alters facial growth and jaw posture
Reduced oxygen efficiency and poor sleep architecture
Mouth breathing at night is linked to snoring and sleep-disordered breathing
Increased systemic inflammation and stress hormone production

The Link Between Mouth Breathing and Sleep Problems

Nighttime mouth breathing leads to poor oxygen exchange, increased snoring, and disrupted sleep cycles—often caused by unrecognized structural issues.

Signs You Might Be Mouth Breathing at Night

Many people are unaware that they mouth-breathe during sleep until they recognize the telltale symptoms. Nighttime mouth breathing can lead to dry mouth and fragmented sleep, while chronic mouth breathing can cause snoring and oxygen desaturation.

Common warning signs include:

Waking with dry mouth or throat discomfort
Regular snoring or noisy breathing during sleep
Frequent nighttime awakening or restless sleep
Morning brain fog or persistent daytime fatigue
Crooked teeth or recessed jawline development
Forward head posture and neck tension
Mouth breather jaw posture is linked to improper airway development
Frequent trips to the bathroom thorughout the night

Why Children and Adults Are Affected Differently

The impact of mouth breathing varies significantly by age due to developmental factors. Mouth breathing in children alters facial bone growth and palate width, while adult mouth breathing worsens airway collapse and sleep apnea.

Age-specific consequences:

Children:

Narrow palate and crowded teeth development
Altered facial bone growth patterns
Academic and behavioral issues from poor sleep
Long-term orthodontic and airway problems

Adults:

Increased sleep apnea and snoring severity
TMJ dysfunction and jaw pain
Mouth breathing impacts head posture and jaw development
Chronic fatigue and cognitive impairment

What Causes Nasal Breathing Dysfunction?

Nasal breathing issues rarely stem from a single cause—structural, functional, and behavioral factors all contribute to breathing dysfunction.

Sleep Healthy PA comprehensively identifies and treats the entire breathing system, rather than addressing isolated symptoms.

Deviated Nasal Septum

A physical shift of the cartilage between the nostrils restricts airflow, often resulting in chronic mouth breathing or compensatory breathing patterns.

A deviated septum reduces nasal airflow, while a nasal blockage encourages mouth-breathing habits.

How septal deviation affects breathing:

Unequal airflow between nostrils
Chronic nasal congestion and obstruction
Septal deviation may cause fatigue and sleep disturbance
Compensatory mouth breathing becomes habitual

Crooked Teeth and Jaw Misalignment

Malocclusion, recessed jaws, and narrow palates physically reduce nasal volume and tongue space, making nasal breathing more difficult—especially during sleep. Crooked teeth are often associated with airway crowding, while jaw misalignment can impair nasal airflow and affect tongue posture.

Structural factors affecting breathing:

Narrow palates reduce space for proper nasal breathing
Malocclusion contributes to dysfunctional breathing patterns
Recessed jaw positioning restricts airway space
Poor dental alignment affects tongue positioning

Poor Breathing Habits and Posture

Long-term stress, improper tongue position, or childhood congestion can train the body to bypass the nose. Over time, this becomes habitual—even when the original obstruction resolves. Poor tongue posture reduces nasal breathing efficiency while habitual mouth breathing overrides normal nasal breathing reflexes.

Behavioral and postural factors:

Chronic stress and anxiety trigger shallow, dysfunctional breathing
Forward head posture restricts airway mechanics
Learned breathing patterns from childhood illness or congestion
Stress-induced breathing dysfunction becomes automatic

How We Evaluate and Treat Nasal Breathing at Sleep Healthy PA

Dr. Cohen’s comprehensive evaluation process utilizes advanced diagnostic tools to assess both the structural and functional aspects of breathing dysfunction.

Airway Anatomy and Breathing Pattern Assessment

We perform an airway-focused examination using 3D imaging, observing resting tongue posture, breathing mechanics, and nasal flow patterns.

Airway assessment involves a structural and functional analysis, as Dr. Cohen evaluates breathing patterns and nasal function.

Comprehensive evaluation includes:

3D CBCT imaging for detailed airway analysis
Breathing pattern analysis that identifies compensations and dysfunction
Tongue posture and oral rest position assessment
Nasal airflow and resistance evaluation

Nasal Septum Evaluation and Treatment Options

When septum deviation is severe, we coordinate with ENT specialists for comprehensive care. We also support non-surgical improvement through breathing training and inflammation reduction when appropriate. A deviated septum may require referral to an ENT specialist for confirmation, while non-surgical treatments include nasal clearing and muscle retraining.

Treatment coordination:

Detailed septum evaluation and imaging
ENT referral for surgical consultation when indicated
Septum evaluation supports accurate airway diagnosis
Non-surgical optimization when appropriate

Mouth Breathing Reversal and Habit Re-training

We guide patients through myofunctional exercises, tongue posture correction, and breathing retraining to restore nasal dominance.

We work with myofunctional therapists and may refer you to one when indicated. Breathing retraining teaches nasal breathing as the default, while myofunctional therapy improves tongue posture and airway tone.

Habit reversal protocol:

Customized myofunctional exercise programs
Tongue posture training and strengthening
Habit reversal leads to reduced mouth breathing during sleep
Progressive breathing pattern optimization

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The Long-Term Benefits of Proper Nasal Breathing

Restoring nasal breathing leads to significant improvements in sleep quality, energy levels, cognitive function, and overall health.

Better Sleep and Recovery

Patients consistently report deeper sleep, reduced snoring, and waking up with sustained energy after correcting mouth breathing habits. Nasal breathing improves sleep depth and oxygenation, while proper breathing reduces night wakings and sleep fragmentation.

Sleep quality improvements:

Deeper, more restorative sleep cycles
Reduced snoring and sleep disturbances
Sleep quality depends on airway patency and oxygen flow
Enhanced morning energy and cognitive clarity

Improved Facial and Jaw Development

Nasal breathing supports healthy muscle tone, balanced bite, and upright jaw posture—especially critical in growing children. Nasal breathing promotes a correct jaw and facial structure, while chronic mouth breathing leads to a recessed chin and a narrow palate.

Developmental benefits:

Proper facial muscle tone and symmetry
Optimal jaw positioning and bite relationships
Myofunctional therapy enhances facial development and oral posture
Prevention of long-term orthodontic issues

Long-Term Health and Inflammation Reduction

Proper breathing reduces systemic stress, lowers cortisol levels, and supports immune and metabolic function. Correct breathing helps lower systemic inflammation, while nasal airflow supports nitric oxide production and enhances immunity.

Systemic health improvements:

Reduced chronic inflammation throughout the body
Better stress management and cortisol regulation
Mouth breathing is associated with poor metabolic regulation
Enhanced immune function and recovery capacity

FAQs About Nasal Breathing and Mouth Breathing

Yes, chronic mouth breathing significantly reduces oxygen absorption, worsens sleep quality, and negatively affects facial and jaw development. It’s a serious health issue that impacts multiple body systems and quality of life.

Yes, with proper evaluation and training, most people can restore healthy nasal breathing habits—especially during sleep. Success depends on addressing both structural issues and retraining breathing patterns.

Septal deviation may be congenital (present from birth) or caused by injury during development or trauma. We assess whether it’s significantly contributing to mouth breathing and breathing dysfunction.

Absolutely. Mouth breathing reduces oxygen efficiency, disrupts sleep architecture, and often prevents proper recovery, leading to chronic fatigue and cognitive impairment.

We begin with a comprehensive airway and nasal evaluation, and then create a customized plan to improve breathing and posture. Most patients achieve significant improvement without surgery through our integrated approach.

Transform Your Health

Through Better Breathing

Discover how restoring nasal breathing can revolutionize your sleep, energy, and overall wellness.

Don’t let mouth breathing compromise your health and quality of life. Dr. Cohen’s comprehensive approach to breathing optimization addresses both structural and functional factors to help you achieve lasting improvements in sleep, energy, and overall health.

Call Sleep Healthy PA Today and Schedule Your Breathing Assessment

Schedule Your Breating Assessment

Monday	7:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Tuesday	7:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Wednesday	7:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Thursday	7:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Friday	By Appointment Only

Nasal Breathing and Sleep

Restore Natural Breathing for Deep, Restorative Sleep

Transform your health by addressing mouth breathing and optimizing nasal function for better sleep and vitality.

Why Nasal Breathing Matters More Than You Think

Understanding the profound impact of proper breathing on your health is essential for achieving optimal wellness.