By Victoria Pavelko, MS, CCC-SLP
Inhalation, Exhalation, Inhalation, Exhalation…REPEAT…over and over throughout the day and night. The simple act of breathing may be an act that many of us take for granted as it happens without much thought. However, HOW you breath is a very important component to your speech and voice.
Nasal breathing…is the OPTIMAL breathing position had has numerous health benefits, including:
Warming, moistening, and filtering the air
Facilitating inhalation of nitric oxide
Helping prevent colds, the flus, allergic reactions
Promoting activity of the parasympathetic nervous system, which calms and relaxes the body and promotes digestion
Allowing the correct positioning of the tongue, assisting in formation of dental arches and straight teeth.
Unfortunately, many children and adults are chronic mouth breathers, which can result in:
Greater incidence of snoring and sleep apneaBad breath, dental decay and gum disease
TMJ disorders
Crowded and crooked teeth
Loss of lip and tongue tone
Enlarged tonsils and adenoids
Feeding difficulties
Speech language pathologists are speech and voice experts who can assist in helping those of all ages learn how to breath correctly. A LOUD, clear, effective voice begins with a deep breath. A strong, safe swallow response begins with a closed mouth and the coordination of breath. If one is not properly engaging the correct muscles for breath support, it can lead to many other symptoms. We encourage you to have a chat with your ENT, neurologist, and family MD regarding any concerns. Our speech pathology team is happy to answer any questions and help facilitate a healthy voice and swallow function.