Metal Mouth Message Board

At the ortho I overheard an assistant telling a girl that her teeth move especially fast, and asking if she breathes through her mouth a lot because that makes teeth move faster. That sounded really weird to me, have you guys ever heard that? Is it true?

I have no idea if that is true, but my very novice theory for that may be that people who breath through their mouth usually have their teeth apart during the time that they breath, thus preventing teeth being in an occlusional state and allowing the teeth to move more freely. Of course, this may be entirely incorrect.

I'm sure that any differences in speed are very nominal in the whole scheme of things.

no real proof to the theory but....

Mouth breathers are sometimes associated with long faced vertical growth patterns. These folks have lighter forces of occlusion and weaker muscles of mastication. It is anecdotal to say their teeth move faster..

Dr.J

Thanks so much for the quick reply Dr. J! I was condsidering trying to keep my mouth open while I sleep, hoping it would speed things up. I'm feeling rather impatient lately.

Even if their teeth do move faster, the issues that can be brought on by mouth breathing (open bite tendency) can make it harder to correct some orthodontic issues.

The more correct thing to say it that clencher/bruxer's teeth move more slowly because their habit inhibits tooth movement.

Randall

awww I wish it were true. I breathe through my mouth probably 85% of my waking hours, and 100% of my sleeping hours.

Trust me, you don't want to get near my pillow! I have to change the pillowcase a couple times a week, and wash my pillow every 2 weeks!