PHX Reporter

• Breathing through the nose is a common practice in yoga, thanks to 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.

Dr. John Stewart of Arizona Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers is echoing the sentiment of yoga practitioners with his recommendation that patients breathe through their nose, rather than their mouth.

KTM Yoga reports that, although it is advised people should breathe through their noses most of the time, as many as 60% of adults often breathe through their mouths.

“If you're not doing that well -- or specifically not doing that well at night and you're not getting the proper rest -- all aspects of your health will be affected if your sinuses are acting up,” Stewart told PHX Reporter. “If the plumbing is bad, that will affect the nose and you won't be breathing like you should. You won't be resting like you should. Your immune system is going to be taxed. It has a ripple effect on all of your health.”

Yogis have studied the role of breathing for centuries, with many yoga practices focusing on breathing through the nose, as opposed to the mouth, according to UK-based company Heather Yoga.

In addition to hair and mucus within the nose acting as filters that trap bacteria and dust, KTM Yoga says that 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, allowing bacteria and plaque to build up on the teeth, which can cause cavities, gum disease and chronic bad breath. Regularly breathing through the mouth can also, over time, lead to strained jaw joints, snoring, sleep apnea, enlarged tonsils and a higher risk for airway disorders, such as asthma.

“Sleep deprivation is very common with chronic sinus patients,” Stewart said. “That can affect your health in many ways, such as hypertension, early heart disease, stroke, all of that. Your nose and your sinuses are a crucial aspect to your overall well-being. Breathing well and sleeping well is just part of that puzzle.”

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