Okemos, Lansing, East Lansing MI
It may sound surprising, but that pesky stuffy nose of yours might be doing more than just making you reach for the tissue. It could also be playing a role in expanding your waistline. In this article, we will explore the connection between breathing difficulties due to chronic nasal congestion and weight gain, as well as how Okemos’ award-winning dentist Dr. Christine Tenaglia can help you overcome this issue.
There’s a right, and wrong, way to breathe
The way you breathe has a more profound impact on your overall well-being than you might imagine. Ideally, humans should engage in shallow nasal breathing, with their mouths kept closed. This breathing technique offers numerous health benefits, such as enhanced oxygen absorption, a balanced heart rate and healthier blood pressure levels.
However, a substantial portion of the population often resorts to mouth breathing, particularly when dealing with persistent nasal congestion. Mouth breathing can lead to various adverse consequences for both oral health and overall physical wellness. Breathing through the mouth places added stress on the body, elevates the risk of inflammation, disrupts the digestive process and hampers oxygen absorption. Additionally, this method of breathing reduces the production of nitric oxide, which is responsible for regulating key physiological functions. Individuals who habitually breathe through their mouths also are more likely to experience cravings for sugary, fatty and starchy foods – a recipe for weight gain.
Mouth breathing and sleep
Besides its implications for weight, mouth breathing can also interfere with your sleep quality, leading to lower energy levels during the day. Reduced energy can make it increasingly difficult to burn off the calories you consume. Losing sleep is never beneficial, and chronic mouth breathing may result in further oral health complications
Mouth breathing also makes you more susceptible to obstructive sleep apnea, a serious sleep breathing disorder that impedes or totally obstructs airflow while you sleep. For someone with an advanced case of sleep apnea, these blockages may happen hundreds of times each night, disrupting the sleep cycle and making it impossible for you to get the quality rest that only comes during the deepest stages of REM sleep. Furthermore, living with an untreated sleep breathing disorder leaves you susceptible to a host of chronic conditions, including obesity. Tenaglia Smiles offers sleep apnea treatment without CPAP by prescribing patients a customized oral appliance that is designed to bring the lower jaw forward, maintaining an open airway and preventing the blockages that occur during sleep apnea.
Airway dentistry in Okemos, Lansing and East Lansing in Michigan
Don’t let a breathing problem take a toll on your weight, your rest and your overall well-being. The team at Tenaglia Smiles is waiting to help. We can screen you for any airway problem and then find a solution to provide relief. Remember, aside from a stuffy nose, nasal breathing is the best choice for both your oral and overall health. Contact Tenaglia Dental by visiting us online or give us a call at (517) 347-6733 to schedule your consultation today. Find out for yourself why Dr. Tenaglia has been voted Okemos’ favorite dentist.