9 Tips on How To Keep Your Mouth Closed While Sleeping

Many of us are unaware that our breathing patterns are very likely messing with the functionality of our bodies. You can dramatically improve your health and well-being by learning how to keep your mouth closed while sleeping!

Bad breathing habits could be affecting your body’s ability to sleep. Incorrect breathing techniques can also harm your mood, ability to digest food, heart health, nervous system, muscle tone, and brain functioning.

On a brighter note, there are tons of benefits to be had by learning to breathe right. These include increased energy levels, a more robust immune system, better overall physical health, and less anxiety.

What are the benefits of nose breathing?

Breathing through your nose while sleeping would be best for many reasons. Fortunately, with a little effort, this is an easily treatable condition that can improve your health in the following ways;

For a more restful sleep
To absorb more oxygen in your lungs
To strengthen your immune system
You won’t annoy your partner by snoring
Your bronchial tubes and lungs will remain hydrated and moisturized
Warmer and cleaner air will be inhaled, which is easier on your lungs
Your nose will filter out pollen and other harmful particles
You can prevent dental issues from developing

How are you supposed to breathe?

Your breath should enter and exit your body through the nose. The nose acts as a kind of mini-factory that prepares the air coming into your body so the lungs can use it most efficiently.

If you constantly breathe through your mouth, your lungs get higher levels of unfiltered air which can be cold, dry, and teaming with nasty viruses and bacteria. You should breathe through your nose as much as possible, especially when you sleep.

You may sometimes feel that your nose is “blocked” and that nose breathing is impossible. Chances are that you have been breathing incorrectly for a long time, and your body has adapted to your bad habits. Don’t worry because you can reverse your lousy breathing techniques. You can open up those nostrils in a few days and start breathing the right way.

What are the causes of sleeping with your mouth open?

Anxiety – Anxiety and stress can make you more likely to breathe with your mouth both during the day and at night. A weighted blanket can help to reduce anxiety.
Allergies – Many substances, such as pollen, pet dander, or dust, can provoke an allergic reaction. Breathing through your nose can be almost impossible when suffering from a runny nose or congestion. Air purifiers are a great way to help sufferers of allergies.
Sickness – Ailments such as cold and flu may force you to breathe through your mouth. There’s not much you can do about this.
Asthma – This is caused by inflammation inside the lungs and is often associated with shortness of breath. People that have asthma tend to breathe through their mouths.
A deviated septum – Caused by congenital disabilities or a liking for hard drugs. A deviated septum is when the nasal septum is crooked or off-center. If the cartilage or bone becomes damaged, breathing through the nose can become difficult.
Sleep Apnea – Obstructive sleep apnea is caused when any part of the upper airway is repeatedly blocked during sleep. This condition restricts the flow of air. In severe cases, it can ultimately prevent the brain from receiving signals that the body needs air.

Why is it better to breathe through your nose?

The human body’s normal anatomical function is to breathe using the nose. There are many reasons for this.

When you breathe through the mouth, nitric oxide gas is produced. This gas decreases the lung’s oxygen absorption capacity. This can lead to oxygen deficiency and other health issues.

When you breathe through your nose, the air is cleansed of harmful microbes and other pollutants. As the air moves through the nose, the mucus lining of the nostrils filters it, and the air is warmed before arriving in the lungs.

Mouth breathing is also bad for oral health. Over time, it can dry out gums and increase acidity, leading to higher plaque levels, cavities, and gum disease.

Other issues associated with mouth breathing are a hoarse voice, dehydration, bad breath, snoring, and sleep apnea.

How to sleep with your mouth closed

Train yourself

Make yourself breathe with your mouth closed. You can start this technique immediately. Remember to breathe the right way (through the nose) during your daily activities.

You may forget as the day progresses, but each time you find yourself mouth breathing, remind yourself to breathe through your nose. A few days of this should be enough to break your bad habits. If you are struggling, try setting a reminder on your phone or leaving post-it notes around your home or office.

Maintaining a regular breathing pattern is another tip for developing a healthy breathing function. You should keep your mouth closed as much as possible and keep a good, upright posture. Many mouth breathers tend to lean their head forward. Try to keep your head upright, which keeps your airways clear.

It might seem tricky at first, but give it a little time, and eventually, you will condition your mind and body to breathe correctly while maintaining the correct posture.

Keep your head elevated when you are sleeping.

If you are a chronic mouth breather and your head is never elevated when you sleep, doing just that might fix your problem. By sleeping in a bad position, your snoring will worsen as it forces you to open your mouth.

It would be best to keep your head higher than your body, so take time to find the right pillow or consider investing in an adjustable mattress.

Another benefit of keeping your head elevated is to prevent acid influx. A raised head will prevent stomach acids from rising into your throat, ensuring an unrestricted airflow.

Try a different sleeping position.

Breathing correctly can be more difficult if you tend to sleep on your back. Folks who sleep on their backs tend to take bigger breaths. This makes it impossible for them to exhale through the nose as the breath has no option but to exit via the mouth.

As a rule of thumb, try to sleep on your side or stomach. This will also prevent the tongue and soft plates from vibrating and making a sound as you sleep.

Try a nose-clearing technique.

Blocked noses are often the reason for mouth breathing, and a nose-clearing routine can help decrease the chance of suffering from this debilitating condition.

Dr. Rosalba Courtney, an Australian breathing therapist, devised a breathing technique called “Buteyko Breathing.”

This method requires that you close your mouth before inhaling forcefully through your nose and then exhaling. It works well for most people as it trains you to breathe through your nose instead of your mouth. It’s effortless and only takes a minute or two to complete.

Get enough exercise

Physical exercise such as yoga and cardiovascular workouts encourage breathing through the nostrils.

Scientific research has also shown that heavier people often have issues with mouth breathing. Try to find the time to exercise each day, and you should notice that you will sleep better and be less prone to breathing through your nose.

Ensure your crib is allergen-free

When we sleep with our mouths open, airborne nasties can enter our respiratory system, so look around your bedroom and remove anything that could affect the air quality.
Plants may look nice in your sleeping area but can make breathing more difficult. During the night, plants take in oxygen and pump out carbon dioxide. This can cause a conflict as you compete for oxygen with your plants.

Carpets and rugs can also worsen your bedroom’s air quality as they often harbor dust and bacteria. Don’t forget to change your bed linen and wash them thoroughly in hot water.

Finally, if you have a habit of sleeping with a pet, it might be better that they sleep in a different room. Pet dander can cause severe irritation and make breathing more difficult.

You may consider using an air purifier like the Levoit air purifier with a True HEPA filter. It has three fan speeds and removes 99.97% of harmful particles, so your airways remain unobstructed while you sleep.

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Use a good-quality nasal spray.

When your nose feels blocked, it’s all too easy to start breathing through your mouth.

Nasal sprays are designed to promote smooth airflow through your nasal passages. This dramatically reduces the need to breathe orally.

Nasal sprays are also great for adding well-needed moisture to your nose. Saline sprays are excellent at alleviating nasal congestion.

The NasalCrom nasal allergy symptom controller is an excellent nasal spray that stabilizes the nose’s mast cells. This stops them from releasing histamines and other irritants that can cause allergy symptoms.

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No drowsiness or jitters, plus it is non habit forming

Consider using a mouthguard.

Using a mouthguard is an intelligent way to keep your mouth closed when you sleep. These hugely popular devices are a great way to keep your mouth closed while you sleep.

There are many kinds of mouthguards available these days. If you try one, ensure it feels comfortable and is made of the highest quality materials.

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If all else fails, try chin strips.

Chin straps are “horse-shoe” devices supporting the chin as you sleep. These ingenious devices can effectively prevent mouth breathing if all else has failed.

These devices force you to breathe with your nose by physically keeping your mouth closed. You should consider using chin strips if all other methods haven’t worked.

Chin strips relieve snorers and can be used independently or with other methods, such as nasal sprays and mouth guards.