Ask the Dentist with Dr. Mark Burhenne

28 Reasons to Nose Breathe

Apr 10, 2024

01:01:36

Welcome back to another episode of Ask The Dentist. I’m Dr. B, and today I am going to explore the often-overlooked benefits of nose breathing. In referencing “28 Reasons To Nose Breathe,” I will delve into how nose breathing supports blood flow, immune function, and even cools the brain. Reflecting on both ancestral and modern perspectives on mouth breathing's dental risks, we spotlight the multitude of health improvements linked to nose breathing. In this episode I’ll discuss the 28 reasons to breathe through your nose, plus one, for a healthier life.

Topics Discussed:

06:42 - #1 The nose warms the incoming air to the optimal temperature for the lungs
08:28 - #2 Nose breathing moisturizes the incoming air
10:07 - #3 The hairs and membranes of the nose filter the air during inhalation
12:54 - #4 Movement of air through the nose keeps the environment around the auditory tubes free from stagnating debris
14:40 - #5 Nose breathing triggers the release of antibacterial molecules helping to clean the incoming air
15:44 - #6 Air coming in through the nose stimulates the release of odiferous molecules
18:26 - #7 Nose breathing sensitizers us to the quality of the air
19:01 - #8 Nose breathing increases our sense of smell, linking it to the limbic system
20:00 - #9 Nose breathing brings air into the sphenoid sinuses to cool the pituitary gland and help regulate body temperature
21:28 - #10 Breathing through the nose keeps the nasal passages open
22:23 - #11 Having a clear nasal passage allows light to reach the pituitary gland through the sphenoid sinus to help regulate sleeping patterns
23:39 - #12 Nose breathing activates movement at several head and neck joints
25:33 - #13 Breathing through the nose lightens the head and lessens the chance of sinus infections
26:50 - #14 In children, breathing through the nose helps to form the sinuses by activating their growth with the movement of air
28:27 - #15 Nose breathing moves the air to pass along the nasal septum
32:16 - #16 Nose breathing allows the excess tears to have a clear passageway for drainage
33:05 - #17 Nose breathing facilitates the production of nitric oxide and sterilizes the air in the sinuses on the way to the lungs
34:08 - #18 Nose breathing reduces the volume of carbon dioxide released during exhalation
37:33 - #19 Nose breathing adds a huge reservoir of sensation to tap into and to deepen your connection to yourself
38:38 - #20 Breathing through the nose allows air to pass by the structures that mark the center of the head
39:34 - #21 Nose breathing facilitates a deep meditation
40:55 - #22 Nose breathing reduces anxiety
41:19 - #23 Nose breathing reduces snoring
42:49 - #24 Nose breathing activates the production of amino globulins to strengthen the immune system
43:30 - #25 Nose breathing helps increase the fluctuation of the cerebrospinal fluid
44:24 - #26 Air must contact olfactory nerves to stimulate your brain
45:26 - #27 Breathing through your mouth causes the tissues in your nose and other airways to swell and become congested, making it more difficult to breathe
47:31 - #28 Breathing through the mouth tends to inflate only the upper lobes of the lungs
50:10 - Additional practices to help improve breathing
52:46 - Mouth breathers are more prone to cavities, gum disease, bad breath, and overall poor oral health