The Mouth Breathing Syndrome: prevalence, causes, consequences and treatments. A Literature Review

Abstract

The Mouth Breathing Syndrome (MBS) is characterized by pattern of mouth breathing (MB) or mixed breathing chronic caused by nasal obstruction or inflammatory factors, which may be present in half of the school children. The permanence of the framework affects the individual globally, and especially their stomatognathic functions, posture and quality of life, requiring multidisciplinary care. This paper aims to provide an overview of recent scientific production on the prevalence, etiologies, sequelae and treatments in MBS. The method used was a literature review through a research in the databases of LILACS, Medline and SciELO, obeying defined inclusion criteria. The 45 articles chosen were distributed and analyzed in groups: prevalence (1), causes (9), consequences (28) and treatments (7). This review highlighted the lack of studies on the prevalence of MB, specially in adults, besides the preponderance of studies on the consequences rather than on the analysis of its causes and treatments. It also showed the need to sensitize health professionals to the recognition of MBS, as long as a global and early intervention with these patients.