{"id":131,"date":"2019-03-11T20:08:34","date_gmt":"2019-03-11T20:08:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.familydentalcampbellstation.com\/blog\/?p=131"},"modified":"2019-03-29T20:12:26","modified_gmt":"2019-03-29T20:12:26","slug":"dentist-in-spring-hill-5","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.familydentalcampbellstation.com\/blog\/2019\/03\/11\/dentist-in-spring-hill-5\/","title":{"rendered":"Does Mouth Breathing Cause Plaque Buildup? Ask a Dentist in Spring Hill!"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"ManIt\u2019s not uncommon for people to breathe through their mouth at night, but it can have several surprising consequences to their oral health. In addition to causing snoring, dry mouth, and bad breath, it can also increase the amount of plaque that builds up on the teeth. In this blog, you\u2019ll find out how mouth breathing contributes to plaque levels and how you can counteract it to keep your smile as healthy as possible!<\/p>\n

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How Does Mouth Breathing Increase Plaque Buildup?<\/h2>\n

You probably aren\u2019t aware of it, but saliva actually washes away plaque and bacteria before it can accumulate on your teeth. With mouth breathing, you lose this natural cleansing effect because your mouth becomes very dry.<\/p>\n

Also, since plaque is acidic, mouth breathing also increases your risk of cavities. When your mouth is dry, the acids from plaque can easily damage your enamel, much like acid rain damages marble and stone.<\/p>\n

In fact, researchers have found evidence that acid levels were much higher in people who slept with their mouths open, putting them at greater risk for cavities.<\/p>\n

How Can You Protect Your Oral Health From the Effects of Mouth Breathing?<\/h2>\n

Since mouth breathing occurs when you\u2019re asleep, you can\u2019t simply decide to stop doing it! However, you can<\/em> minimize its effect on your oral health by doing the following:<\/p>\n