Mouth breathing syndrome: clinical and behavioral changes ; Síndrome da respiração oral: alterações clínicas e comportamentais

Mouth breathing syndrome can induce changes in many organs and systems as it is linked not only to an individual’s vital capacity, but also to one’s quality of life. Due to its high prevalence, this syndrome has been considered an crucial problem for public health. The objective of this article was to review dental literature in an attempt to analyze the main clinical and behavioral changes caused by this pathology. Method: For this literature review, indexed periodicals from university libraries as well as from the internet, limited to the period from 1994 to 2008, were consulted. The nasal breathing pattern was found to be the most efficient, since it promotes a better oxygenation of the lungs. The causes of the mouth breathing can be of an obstructive or non- obstructive order; however, depending on the duration and intensity, both can affect the growth and morphofunctional development of the stomatognatic system as well as the individual’s behavior. The main clinical changes of mouth breathers include: prolonged face, narrow nostrils, inadequate labial seal, and malocclusion. The main behavioral alterations include: irritation, bad mood, sleepiness, restlessness, lack of concentration, agitation, anxiety, fear, depression, distrust, impulsiveness, and learning deficiency. Mouth breathing also interferes in the development of several organs and systems, thus affecting the quality of the individual’s life. Therefore, its treatment should be multidisciplinary. ; A Síndrome da respiração oral induz a alterações em vários órgãos e sistemas, estando ligada não apenas à capacidade vital do indivíduo, mas também a sua qualidade de vida. Devido a sua elevada prevalência tem sido considerada como um preocupante problema de saúde pública. O objetivo deste trabalho foi, mediante uma revisão da literatura, analisar as principais alterações clínicas e comportamentais provocadas por esta patologia. Sendo assim, buscou-se periódicos indexados tanto em bibliotecas de universidades quanto na internet, limitando-se ao período ...