Benefits of physical therapy in the quality of life of mouth breathing children: Literature review

Abstract

Introduction: The correct breathing process is through thenasal route, since it provides that the air during aspiration isfiltered, humidified and heated, thus conditioning the lungsfor gas exchange to occur. Allergic processes or other formsof affections can lead to the obstruction of the passage of airthrough the nose, leading the body to make an alternativeadaptation for the passage of air to occur through the mouth.A person who uses the mouth to breathe is called a mouthbreather. Once this adaptive process occurs, as a way tocompensate for this alternative airway, the body promotesa series of alterations in several segments of the body, such aschanges in the postural, respiratory, behavioral and stomatognathicsystems. Several techniques are used to treat themusculoskeletal dysfunctions presented by mouth breathers.Objective: to analyze how physiotherapy can contribute tothe improvement of the quality of life of mouth breathingchildren and to find out which are the most effective treatments.Methods: a search of data in the literature was carriedout by consulting the following electronic databases: Scielo,Bireme, Pub Med, Lilacs Google Scholar, as well as specializedbooks in the field. We excluded articles published before theyear 2000. Result: Among the analyzed articles, we perceivethat the treatment of mouth breathers occurs in a multidisciplinaryway, since it presents changes that encompassseveral body and systemic segments. Among the professionalsinvolved in the rehabilitation process, we highlight therole of physiotherapists. Conclusion: the physiotherapist isqualified to intervene in this pathology, with expertise inevaluation and establishment of the best treatment program,with physiotherapeutic conduits, allowing an improvementin respiratory patterns.Keywords: Mouth breathing children; Physiotherapy; Posturalevaluation; Treatment.