Mouth Breathing During Sleep: Why It Happens, the Risks, and How an ENT Can Help

Mouth Breathing During Sleep: Why It Happens, the Risks, and How an ENT Can Help

19 Nov 2025

Are You Waking Up Tired and with a Dry Mouth? The Hidden Problem of Mouth Breathing During Sleep

At some point in our lives, we have all had those nights where we struggle to sleep. If you are waking up fatigued on a regular basis, or nothing seems to relieve your dry mouth, sore throat, or bad breath, it might not be what you think. It could be a very common, yet overlooked condition: mouth breathing when you are sleeping.

Mouth breathing is acceptable when you are engaging in vigorous exercise or while you are in short periods of nasal congestion (cold, flu, allergies, etc), but this is not what your body intended, especially while you are at rest. Your nose is a very efficient filter and humidifier; it warms, moistens and cleans the air we breathe in before it gets to your lungs. After breathing through your mouth all night long, your body can experience effects you may not have ever considered.

This blog discusses the reasons for mouth breathing when you are sleeping, who it effects, the potential risks associated with an issue like this and the many options ENT specialists have for getting you back to breathing through your nose, either through surgical or non-surgical methods.

Why Am I Breathing Through My Mouth at Night? (The Causes)

Mouth breathing is not merely a "bad habit." It is almost always an indication of an underlying problem. More often than not, that problem has to do with some kind of blockage of the nasal passages. When your body cannot get enough air through the nose, it will automatically pull air in through the mouth.

There are many causes of mouth breathing including:

Nasal congestion: This is most frequently the cause of mouth breathing, and it can be temporary (allergies, sinusitis, cold) or chronic.
Deviated septum: The septum is the thin wall of cartilage and bone that divides the inside of your nose into two sides. If it is crooked, or "deviated," it can block either or both nostrils.
Enlarged tonsils and adenoids: Very common in young children, swollen tonsils or adenoids block the airway and force mouth breathing. (An adenoid is a piece of tissue in the very back of the nose, while the tonsils are in the back of the throat).
Nasal polyps: These soft, noncancerous growths that form on the lining of your nasal passages or sinuses. Once they grow large enough, they can block airflow.
Enlarged turbinates: Turbinates are structures in the nose that humidify the air that enters the body. When they are swollen (due to allergies or irritation), they can cause blockage.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): In obstructive sleep apnea, mouth breathing often occurs due to nasal obstruction, which forces the patient to open their mouth to maintain proper airflow. Obstructive sleep apnea results from airway blockage at one or more levels, either individually or in combination. These levels may include the nose, soft palate, oropharynx, tonsils, or the base of the tongue.

Who Suffers from Mouth Breathing?

Mouth breathing can affect individuals of all ages, from infants to older individuals. However, it presents some of the most significant concern and prevalence in:

Children: Chronic mouth breathing in children can alter their facial development, potentially changing the shape of the jaw, teeth to become crooked, and giving the child a "long face." It is frequently associated with enlarged adenoids and tonsils.
People with Allergies: Those suffering from chronic allergic rhinitis (hay fever) will frequently be mouth breathers as their nasal congestion is often long-standing.
People with Structural Issues: Anyone with a deviated septum or some other structural blockage is at higher risk of mouth breathing.

The Problems & Risks: Why Mouth Breathing is More Than Just Annoying

Bypassing the nose's natural filtration system has significant consequences. The risks of chronic mouth breathing during sleep include:

Poor Sleep Quality: You are more likely to snore and suffer from disrupted sleep, leading to daytime fatigue, irritability, and difficulty concentrating.
Oral Health Problems: A constantly dry mouth is a breeding ground for bacteria. This increases the risk of:
Bad breath (halitosis)
Tooth decay (cavities)
Gum disease (gingivitis)
Increased Risk of Infections: You lose the filtering effect of the nose, making you more susceptible to respiratory infections.
Worsening of Asthma: Dry, unfiltered air can irritate the airways and trigger asthma symptoms.
In Children (Developmental Issues): As mentioned, it can impact facial and dental development. It can also lead to poor concentration in school, sometimes being misdiagnosed as ADHD.
Reduced Oxygen Levels: Inefficient breathing can lead to lower blood oxygen saturation, putting stress on your heart and brain over time.

Finding Relief: Solutions for Mouth Breathing

The first step, and the most important one, is not to neglect it. The best qualified medical professional to diagnose the reason for your mouth breathing symptoms is an ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) physician. They may perform an examination, at the very least considering nasoendoscopy, in order to determine what exactly is going on.

When the problem is diagnosed, your ENT can recommend a personalized treatment plan.

Non-Surgical Solutions

Often, these are the initial treatment options that focus on reducing the underlying cause of your symptoms:

1. Treatment of Allergies/Sinusitis: This treatment could be either prescription nasal steroid sprays, ntihistamines, and/or decongestants to reduce inflammation and consolidate mucus.
2. Nasal Saline Rinses: Either with a neti pot or saline spray can be used to remove mucus, irritants, and allergens from the nasal cavities..
3. Nasal Dilators: Nasal dilators can be external strips that are worn on the bridge of the nose or internal dilators placed within the nostrils. The intention is to physically open the nasal cavities.

Surgical Solutions

If non-surgical treatment is insufficient or evidence of structural blockage is present, surgical intervention can be recommended to provide a permanent solution. Typically, these procedures are minimally invasive and very effective.

1. Septoplasty: A simple procedure to correct a deviated septum by straightening the cartilage to open the airway.
2. Turbinate Reduction: This procedure reduces the size of swollen turbinates to create more space for airflow.
3. Tonsillectomy and/or Adenoidectomy: The surgical removal of enlarged tonsils and/or adenoids. Often a cure for mouth breathing in children.
4. Surgery for Nasal Polypectomy: The surgical removal of nasal polyps to relieve obstruction.

Take Back Your Sleep and Your Health

Persistent mouth breathing while sleeping may not seem like a big deal, but consider it a red flag from your body that something is wrong. Neglected mouth breathing can impact your dental health, quality of sleep, and overall health.

If you or your child breathes through the mouth while sleeping, snores loudly, or wakes up feeling tired you've had enough. It is time to see a specialist. Our team of ENT Specialists in Delhi are trained to assess and treat all causes of nasal obstruction and sleep-disordered breathing. Call us to make an appointment today. Say good-bye to breathing poorly, sleeping poorly and living poorly!