Can Open Mouth Breathing be Corrected After 16 Years of Age and Recover?

Open mouth breathing is usually reversible after 16 years of age when corrected (by treating the cause, surgery, mouth closers, etc.). There are many causes of open-mouth breathing, including various causes of nasal insufficiency such as rhinitis, and obesity. Prolonged open-mouth breathing can lead to ugly facial features, such as abnormal development of the jawbone and a sunken mouth, known as “adenoidal facies”. Open mouth breathing can be corrected by treating the cause of the problem, wearing a mouth closure device, etc. Those with altered facial features can be corrected by surgery, which is usually reversible. It is advisable to consult a hospital as soon as open-mouth breathing is detected, as the earlier treatment is given, the better the outcome may be, to avoid delaying the condition.