Mouth Breather Diagnosis Considerations-A Critical Review

Introduction: The habit of oral respirator is characterized by the deleterious act of breathing through the mouth. It Is induced by anatomical alterations that cause respiratory disturbances inducing the affected children to use the oral route to breathe. Objective: This study aimed to perform a critical review of part of the literature to explain the mechanisms of oral respirator diagnosis, as well as the importance of it. Methods: We arbitrarily selected 30 relevant articles on the topic approached from the databases PUBMED/MEDLINE, SCIELO and LILACS, and extracted the main information for the production of this review. Results: Mouth breathing occurs by narrowing or obstruction of the airways that prevent the passage of air, causing the individual to breathe through the mouth. Hypertrophy of the tonsils and adenoids are common causes, being frequently diagnosed in children between 4 and 11 years of age. The habit of mouth breathing presents clinical manifestations peculiar to it, which imply biological, physiological, orthopedic and aesthetic alterations. Conclusion: For this, it is necessary that a multidisciplinary team perform the diagnosis and treatment. Therefore, it is essential that the dentist has the clinical knowledge for the management of the diagnosis and treatment of the oral respirator for the best quality of life of the patient.