MOUTH BREATHING, CRANIOFACIAL DEVELOPMENT, AND PEDIATRIC OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA:

THE ROLE OF DENTISTRY IN EARLY DETECTION

Resumo

Mouth breathing in childhood has gained increasing attention in pediatric dentistry and medicine because of its potential association with craniofacial growth disturbances and pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (P-OSA). Since airway function, facial development, and oral habits are closely interconnected during growth, persistent mouth breathing may reflect or contribute to upper airway dysfunction and abnormal dentofacial development. This review aimed to analyze recent evidence regarding the relationship between mouth breathing, craniofacial development, and pediatric obstructive sleep apnea, with emphasis on the role of dentistry in early detection and interdisciplinary management. A narrative literature review was conducted based on PubMed-indexed studies published between 2021 and 2026. The search strategy included terms related to mouth breathing, pediatric obstructive sleep apnea, craniofacial development, adenotonsillar hypertrophy, orthodontics, and pediatric dentistry. Current evidence suggests that mouth breathing is frequently associated with adenotonsillar hypertrophy, sleep-disordered breathing, altered maxillomandibular growth, posterior crossbite, increased lower facial height, high-arched palate, and malocclusion patterns. Recent findings also highlight the dental and orthodontic setting as a strategic environment for early screening of children at risk for sleep-disordered breathing. Although the relationship is multifactorial and not always causal, available evidence supports the incorporation of airway-oriented assessment into routine pediatric dental examinations. Dentistry plays an important role in the early recognition of craniofacial and functional signs suggestive of pediatric obstructive sleep apnea, contributing to timely referral and multidisciplinary care.