Nasal breathing supports good health - Understanding the deep relationship between focal infections and mouth breathing

Our human bodies are amazingly sophisticated, and one example of this is the mechanism for breathing.

Normally, we breathe through our nose, which has the function of purifying, humidifying, and warming the air we inhale.

On the other hand, the mouth is originally designed as a passageway for food, and is not designed to function as a respiratory organ. Despite this, in modern times, an increasing number of people have adopted the habit of "mouth breathing" due to various factors, which creates many health risks.

Furthermore, in recent years, the concept of "focal infection," in which chronic infection in the oral cavity leads to inflammation and disease in other parts of the body, has been attracting attention.

In this article, we will explain in as easy-to-understand detail as possible the importance of nasal breathing and the problems caused by mouth breathing, as well as the mechanism of focal infection, specific symptoms, and remedial measures.

The role of the nose and the risks of mouth breathing

1. Your nose is a natural air purifier

The biggest benefit of breathing through your nose is that it helps keep out harmful substances and pathogens in the air.

There is mucous membrane and nose hair inside the nasal cavity, which makes it difficult for particles such as dust, pollen, and PM2.5 that adhere to them to enter the body.

It also regulates the temperature and humidity of the inhaled air, reducing the strain on the lungs and bronchi.

In a sense, the nose acts as a "natural air purifier" and protects the respiratory system.

2. The current trend of increased mouth breathing

Why is mouth breathing becoming more prevalent in modern times? The following lifestyle habits and environmental factors are cited as reasons for this.

• Long-term use of smartphones and PCs <br /> Looking at a display in a leaning forward position puts strain on the neck and jaw, weakening the muscles around the mouth and causing shallow breathing. As a result, it is easy to develop the habit of mouth breathing, which feels easier than nose breathing.
  
• An increase in soft foods <br />Modern people tend to eat soft foods and not chew hard foods very much. This means that the muscles around the jaw and mouth do not develop sufficiently, and they tend to naturally keep their mouths open.
  
• Increase in allergic rhinitis and sinusitis <br />The number of people who are prone to stuffy noses is increasing due to an increase in air pollution, pollen, house dust, etc. For people who are prone to stuffy noses, breathing through their mouths feels easier, and this becomes a normal part of their lives.

3. The harmful effects of mouth breathing

Mouth breathing means that outside air enters your airways without being purified through your nose, which can lead to problems like:

1. Deterioration of oral environment <br />The antibacterial action of saliva weakens, increasing the risk of periodontal disease and tooth decay. Furthermore, dry mouth can also cause bad breath.
   
2. Increased risk of focal infection <br />Chronic inflammation in the oral cavity can lead to "focal infection," which will be described later.
   
3. Sleep disorders and snoring Mouth breathing can easily cause the airway to narrow, which can lead to sleep apnea and snoring. These can significantly reduce the quality of your sleep, leading to poor concentration and fatigue during the day.
   
4. Poor posture <br />Continued mouth breathing can make it easier for the head position and neck angle to become distorted, which can lead to poor posture such as hunched back and straight neck.

What is focal infection?

1. Definition of focal infection

Focal infection is a phenomenon in which chronic inflammation somewhere in the body becomes a "foci (source of infection)" and causes secondary disease in distant sites.

Because this "lesion focus" does not necessarily cause noticeable symptoms, it can be left untreated without one realizing that it is the cause and the condition can progress.

For example, gingivitis, periodontal disease, nasopharyngeal inflammation, and post nasal drip.

The focus of infection is often minor or asymptomatic, making it easy to overlook.

Analogy: Rusty water pipes

This is often explained by the analogy of a rusty water pipe that causes a leak, with water traveling down the wall and wetting another room.

• Rusty water pipes: A silent source of infection
• Wet walls in another room: Secondary inflammation or disease (where the original symptoms appear)

2. Diseases that may involve focal infection

In recent years, diseases that are believed to be caused by focal infection include the following:

• IgA nephropathy, chronic glomerulonephritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis, chronic arthritis
• Palmoplantar pustulosis, guttate psoriasis
• Chronic bronchitis, uveitis, meningitis, endocarditis, rheumatic fever
• Other inflammatory diseases related to each organ

It is thought that chronic oral inflammation caused by mouth breathing, and conditions such as periodontal disease and tonsillitis can act as breeding grounds for "focal infection."

Oral lymphatic tissue and immune system

1. The oral cavity is a special place where the immune system is concentrated

The mouth contains a large amount of lymphatic tissue, including the tonsils and adenoids.

This is because they act as a "front line" to quickly capture pathogens that enter the body through food or the air and initiate an immune response.

The tonsils are an important organ that initiates an immune response against viruses, bacteria, etc.

Chronic inflammation of the tonsils and other lymphatic tissues can lead to an overactive immune system, potentially leading to autoimmune diseases or systemic illnesses.

2. Relationship between focal infection and autoimmune diseases

Autoimmune diseases are conditions in which the immune system, which is supposed to attack foreign substances that enter the body, mistakenly attacks the body's own tissues and organs.

Chronic infection and inflammation in the mouth can overstimulate the immune system, increasing the risk of it malfunctioning.

In fact, it has been suggested that conditions such as the one I have, palmoplantar pustulosis (a skin condition that causes pustules on the palms and soles of the feet), can be exacerbated or caused by focal infection.

I actually found out when I returned to Japan that I had root inflammation, caused by years of stress and severe clenching of the teeth, which had damaged the roots of three of my teeth. I am currently undergoing implant treatment.

What to do if focal infection is suspected

1. Find a specialist

Focal infection is not yet a widely recognized concept. In particular, the concept of focal infection is not understood overseas (such as Taiwan), and there are cases where patients have to visit multiple hospitals before receiving a diagnosis. (That's what happened to me, and I ended up finding the focal infection after returning to Japan.)

If you experience chronic inflammation or symptoms of unknown cause and suspect that there may be an abnormality in the oral cavity or around the nasal cavity, it is important to find a doctor who is knowledgeable about focal infections (dentist, otolaryngologist, internist, immunologist, etc.).

2. Full body examination and detailed interview

Focal infection may cause only minor symptoms in the affected area, but symptoms may appear in distant organs. For this reason, whole-body examinations (blood tests, imaging tests, etc.) and specialized interviews are essential. When it is difficult to respond to a case from a single department, cooperation across multiple specialties is necessary.

3. Treatment of the affected area

The treatment of focal infection is based on treating the "lesion" that is causing the infection, not the area where symptoms are appearing.

• Chronic tonsillitis → Consider tonsillectomy
• Periodontal disease → Specialized treatment for periodontal disease
• Chronic sinusitis → By thoroughly treating the area causing the problem through endoscopic surgery, antibiotic treatment, and nasal care, secondary symptoms that have arisen often improve.
  

Specific methods to improve mouth breathing

From here on, we will introduce specific measures and tips to improve "mouth breathing," which can be a major factor in focal infection.

1. Improve nasal congestion

1. Nasal irrigation <br />Rinsing your nasal cavity with saline will relieve stuffy nose and encourage nasal breathing. Special irrigation kits and containers are available commercially, so be sure to do this safely under the guidance of a doctor.
   
2. Nasal sprays <br />If your nasal congestion is caused by hay fever or allergic rhinitis, it may be effective to consult a doctor and have them prescribe an appropriate nasal spray. However, you should be careful to avoid using them for long periods of time.
   
3. Humidification <br />Keeping the humidity in your room appropriate (around 50-60%) will reduce dryness of the nasal mucosa and make it easier to breathe through your nose. Use a humidifier or wet towels to adjust the humidity in your bedroom and living room.
   

2. Strengthen the muscles around your mouth

1. Exercises around the mouth <br /> Opening your mouth wide and saying "i, u, a, e, o" strengthens the muscles around your mouth. It is also important to include hard foods in your diet in moderation and be conscious of your chewing strength to strengthen it.
   
2. Tongue training <br />When your tongue is in the correct position, it will naturally be easier to close your mouth. Be conscious of keeping the tip of your tongue on the roof of your mouth, and try to keep that position on a daily basis. Keeping the tip of your tongue on the roof of your mouth while you sleep will also help you breathe through your nose.

3. Bedtime precautions

1. Mouth tape <br />Use commercially available mouth tape to keep your mouth closed while you sleep. If you have a stuffy nose, it may make it difficult to breathe, so make sure your nose is clear before using it or consult a doctor.
   
2. Sleeping on your side <br /> When you sleep on your back, your tongue tends to fall to the back of your throat, which can lead to mouth breathing. Sleeping on your side or in a position where you are conscious of keeping the tip of your tongue on the roof of your mouth can help prevent mouth breathing.
   

4. Treatment of the underlying disease

If you have an underlying condition causing nasal congestion, such as allergic rhinitis or sinusitis, it will be difficult to improve mouth breathing unless you treat that condition. It is important to prioritize treating the underlying condition, such as removing allergens, using medication, or in some cases, surgery.

5. Improve your posture

Poor posture, such as hunched back or straight neck, narrows the airway and makes you more likely to breathe through your mouth. In many cases, simply changing your everyday posture, such as straightening your back and adjusting the position at which you look at your computer or smartphone, can make breathing easier.

5-6. Consultation with a specialist

If your teeth are misaligned and you are unable to close your mouth, or if the cause of your chronic stuffy nose is unclear, consult a dentist or ear, nose and throat specialist.

In some cases, orthodontic treatment, orthodontic treatment, or ear, nose and throat treatment may be required.

Mouth breathing and allergies in children

Because children are in a growth spurt, the habit of breathing through their mouths can affect the alignment of their jaws, teeth, and even their overall development.

Furthermore, mouth breathing has been linked to allergies.

If your child has symptoms such as constantly having their mouth open or sniffling, it is important to address the issue early and help them develop good breathing habits.

• Mouth breathing from an early age → Dental irregularities and adverse effects on facial bone formation
  
• Related to allergies : The mucosal barrier in the throat and mouth weakens, increasing the invasion of pathogens and allergens
  

Make nasal breathing a habit to improve your overall health!

I hope you understand how important nose breathing is and the great risks of mouth breathing.

The nose has an excellent function of purifying the air and regulating temperature and humidity. If this function is not fully utilized by mouth breathing, and air goes directly into the trachea and lungs, it can have various effects on the overall health of the body.

Furthermore, it cannot be ignored that chronic inflammation in the mouth caused by mouth breathing can lead to "focal infection" that can cause serious diseases in distant organs.

Breathing is something we do every day and take for granted, but improving the quality of your breathing is actually a major factor in protecting your entire body.

Small everyday actions can prevent serious illnesses in the future and are the foundation for living a comfortable life. Please use this article as a reference and try to make the most of the benefits of nasal breathing to improve your health.

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