Tooronga Family Dentistry in Glen Iris

Family dental care in Glen Iris

Mouth Breathing and Its Impact on Dental Development in Glen Iris

When we are born, our natural instinct is to breathe through the nose. The nasal passages filter, warm, and humidify air before it enters the lungs. However, when nasal obstructions occur, breathing shifts from the nose to the mouth. While this may begin as a temporary adaptation, prolonged mouth breathing can have lasting effects on both oral and facial development.

How Mouth Breathing Affects Jaw and Facial Growth

When the nose is underused, its structures do not develop properly. The same applies to the upper jaw, which becomes narrow and underdeveloped. As a result, the upper jaw may appear sunken, and the lower jaw tends to hang open so air can pass through more easily. Over time, this posture weakens facial muscles and elongates the lower facial structure.

The Role of the Tongue

The tongue greatly influences how the upper jaw and base of the skull develop. Ideally, the tongue should rest against the roof of the mouth during both rest and swallowing.

In mouth breathers, however, the tongue remains at the floor of the mouth and does not make contact with the palate. This absence of upward pressure leads to inadequate upper jaw growth and commonly results in bite misalignment and crowded teeth, particularly in children.

Long-Term Consequences

If mouth breathing persists, it can permanently alter the shape of the face and dental arches as a child matures. These structural changes often cause functional issues such as difficulty breathing through the nose, speech challenges, and an increased risk of orthodontic problems.

Early identification and intervention are crucial to prevent these effects from becoming permanent.

Treating Mouth Breathing Early

Mouth breathing should be addressed in childhood through a combination of dental, orthodontic, and medical approaches. Treatment may include:

  • Identifying and removing nasal or airway obstructions

  • Encouraging proper tongue posture and nasal breathing habits

  • Orthodontic therapy to guide jaw and bite development

If you or your child are mouth breathers or have misaligned teeth, it is important to have the condition assessed as early as possible. For professional evaluation, ask Dr. Kaufman or schedule an appointment for a consultation.

Understanding Wisdom Teeth in Glen Iris and Why They Often Become Impacted

Wisdom teeth sit at the very back of your mouth and are the final teeth to develop. These molars—broad, strong, and designed for grinding—start forming around 6–7 years of age, which is when they first appear on dental X-rays. Most people have four wisdom teeth: upper left, upper right, lower left, and lower right.

Because wisdom teeth erupt after the rest of the adult teeth are already in place, many Glen Iris patients discover there simply isn’t enough space for them. When there’s inadequate room in the jaw, the wisdom teeth may become impacted, meaning they are trapped under the gums or pushing awkwardly against adjacent teeth.

Why So Many People in Glen Iris Don’t Have Room for Wisdom Teeth

The lack of space is actually due to human evolution. Our ancestors needed strong jaws and extra molars to chew tough diets of nuts, roots, meat, and fibrous plants. Wisdom teeth were essential.

Today, with softer and more processed diets common in suburbs like Glen Iris, our jaws have gradually become smaller, but the number of teeth has stayed the same. This mismatch means wisdom teeth often can’t erupt naturally. As a result, scientists now consider wisdom teeth vestigial structures, meaning they no longer serve a functional purpose.

When Should Glen Iris Patients Have Their Wisdom Teeth Assessed?

For families in Glen Iris and surrounding areas, we recommend assessing wisdom teeth around age 15–16. At this stage, we can clearly evaluate:

  • Whether there is enough room for eruption

  • How the wisdom teeth are developing

  • Whether impaction is likely

  • The best timing for preventive or corrective treatment

Early assessment allows us to plan ahead and avoid discomfort, infections, or damage to nearby teeth.

If you or your teenager needs advice about wisdom teeth, please contact Dr Daniel Kaufman 👉Call or book online Tooronga Family Dentistry on (03) 9822 7006 so we can examine your wisdom teeth and explain the most suitable options for you.

📍 We proudly care for the smiles of the Glen Iris, Tooronga, Malvern and Hawthorn East communities.