LA Harbor News

• Breathing through the nose is a common practice in yoga because of its many benefits.

• Physicians also recommend breathing through the nose, as it provides a natural filter.

• Breathing through the mouth can lead to poor oral health and bad breath.

Patients with chronic sinus problems may breathe through their mouths, but mouth breathing can have a negative effect on overall health, said Dr. Matt Hershcovitch of SoCal Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers.

"Unfortunately for our chronic sinusitis suffers, chronic sinusitis has a big effect on multiple body and organ systems," Hershcovitch told LA Harbor News. "Humans are obligate nasal breathers; everything we breathe in is primarily through our nose. People with nasal obstruction or chronic sinusitis have more difficulty with that. If you have diseased sinuses, the air you're breathing in is not being filtered appropriately. The disease and bacteria in the sinuses are often going inward with the breath and causing lung problems."

Patients with severe obstruction face additional problems, Hershcovitch said.

"You're being forced then to breathe through your mouth, which can lead to all sorts of other health problems, including dental problems, tooth decay, dry mouth, difficulty swallowing, reflux, and it's going to lead to halitosis or bad breath as well," he said. "So many of these problems are caused and triggered by a problem in your sinuses."

Yoga is an ancient practice, and yogis have studied the role of breath for centuries, according to UK-based company Heather Yoga. Breathing through the nose, as opposed to the mouth, is strongly preferred in many yoga practices.

KTM Yoga reports that, although most people should breathe through their noses most of the time, as many as 60% of adults often breathe through their mouths. Hair and mucus within the nose act as filters that trap bacteria and dust. Nasal breathing also increases oxygen intake and boosts brain activity. Another benefit of breathing through the nose is that it helps to slow airflow, which widens blood vessels and slows the heart rate, leading to a feeling of calm.

People who suffer from allergies or chronic sinus problems are more likely to breathe through their mouths, but mouth breathing can lead to oral health issues, according to McCarl Dental Group.

Mouth breathing dries up saliva, which then allows bacteria and plaque to build up on the teeth, which can cause cavities, gum disease and chronic bad breath. Regular mouth breathing can also, over time, lead to strained jaw joints, snoring, sleep apnea, enlarged tonsils and a higher risk for airway disorders, such as asthma.

If you're interested in learning more about the symptoms of allergies and sinus infections, take this Sinus Self-Assessment Quiz.