It is well documented that mouth breathing adults are more likely to experience sleep-disordered breathing, fatigue, decreased productivity, and poorer quality of life than those who nasal-breathe.

In children, the harmful effects of mouth breathing are far greater, since it is during these formative years that breathing mode helps to shape the orofacial structures and airways. Children whose mouth breathing is left untreated for extended periods of time, can set the stage for lifelong respiratory problems. These resultant craniofacial alterations associated with mouth breathing can significantly aggravate or increase the risk of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea in both children and adults.

There is a lack of awareness regarding the negative impact of airway obstruction via mouth breathing on normal facial growth and physiologic health; and as a result, may be confused for (ADD) and hyperactivity. According to the National Sleep Foundation, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is linked to a variety of sleep problems.

Children and adults behave differently as a result of sleepiness. Adults usually become sluggish when tired while children tend to overcompensate and speed up. For this reason, sleep deprivation is sometimes confused with ADHD in children. Children may also be moody, emotionally explosive, and /or aggressive as a result of sleepiness.

Mouth breathing can have a tremendous impact on the mental and physical health of children; as it can be associated with the restriction of the lower airways, poor quality of sleep, reduced cognitive functioning, and a lower quality of life.