Mouth Breathing Is Often Secondary to Airway Obstruction
In this brief talk, Hallie Bulkin references a comprehensive review by Lynn et al. published in Frontiers in Public Health, which demonstrates that mouth breathing in children is frequently a secondary symptom of underlying airway obstruction. The review links chronic mouth breathing to long‑term dentofacial and functional adaptations, indicating that the condition is a visible indicator of deeper physiological issues. Bulkin argues that clinicians and caregivers must move beyond superficial labeling of mouth‑breathing children as “over‑referring” and instead conduct thorough airway assessments. She emphasizes a due‑diligence approach: systematically evaluating each child for airway‑related causes and transparently presenting treatment options to families so they can make informed decisions.
