Podcast Episode #117: 28 Reasons to Nose Breathe

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Welcome back to another episode of Ask The Dentist. I’m Dr. B, and today I am going to explore the often-overlooked benefits of nose breathing. In referencing “28 Reasons To Nose Breathe,” I will delve into how nose breathing supports blood flow, immune function, and even cools the brain. Reflecting on both ancestral and modern perspectives on mouth breathing’s dental risks, we spotlight the multitude of health improvements linked to nose breathing. In this episode I’ll discuss the 28 reasons to breathe through your nose, plus one, for a healthier life.

Topics Discussed:

• 06:42 – #1 The nose warms the incoming air to the optimal temperature for the lungs
• 08:28 – #2 Nose breathing moisturizes the incoming air 
• 10:07 – #3 The hairs and membranes of the nose filter the air during inhalation 
• 12:54 – #4 Movement of air through the nose keeps the environment around the auditory tubes free from stagnating debris
• 14:40 – #5 Nose breathing triggers the release of antibacterial molecules helping to clean the incoming air
• 15:44 – #6 Air coming in through the nose stimulates the release of odiferous molecules
• 18:26 – #7 Nose breathing sensitizers us to the quality of the air 
• 19:01 – #8 Nose breathing increases our sense of smell, linking it to the limbic system
• 20:00 – #9 Nose breathing brings air into the sphenoid sinuses to cool the pituitary gland and help regulate body temperature
• 21:28 – #10 Breathing through the nose keeps the nasal passages open
• 22:23 – #11 Having a clear nasal passage allows light to reach the pituitary gland through the sphenoid sinus to help regulate sleeping patterns
• 23:39 – #12 Nose breathing activates movement at several head and neck joints
• 25:33 – #13 Breathing through the nose lightens the head and lessens the chance of sinus infections
• 26:50 – #14 In children, breathing through the nose helps to form the sinuses by activating their growth with the movement of air 
• 28:27 – #15 Nose breathing moves the air to pass along the nasal septum
• 32:16 – #16 Nose breathing allows the excess tears to have a clear passageway for drainage
• 33:05 – #17 Nose breathing facilitates the production of nitric oxide and sterilizes the air in the sinuses on the way to the lungs
• 34:08 – #18 Nose breathing reduces the volume of carbon dioxide released during exhalation
• 37:33 – #19 Nose breathing adds a huge reservoir of sensation to tap into and to deepen your connection to yourself
• 38:38 – #20 Breathing through the nose allows air to pass by the structures that mark the center of the head
• 39:34 – #21 Nose breathing facilitates a deep meditation
• 40:55 – #22 Nose breathing reduces anxiety
• 41:19 – #23 Nose breathing reduces snoring
• 42:49 – #24 Nose breathing activates the production of amino globulins to strengthen the immune system
• 43:30 – #25 Nose breathing helps increase the fluctuation of the cerebrospinal fluid
• 44:24 – #26 Air must contact olfactory nerves to stimulate your brain
• 45:26 – #27 Breathing through your mouth causes the tissues in your nose and other airways to swell and become congested, making it more difficult to breathe 
• 47:31 – #28 Breathing through the mouth tends to inflate only the upper lobes of the lungs
• 50:10 – Additional practices to help improve breathing
• 52:46 – Mouth breathers are more prone to cavities, gum disease, bad breath, and overall poor oral health

Show Links:

• Check Out My NEW Line of Toothpaste and Professional Dental Varnish!!
• Check out Dr. B’s website for more information: https://askthedentist.com
• Subscribe to Dr. B’s newsletter Mondays with Mark: https://askthedentist.com/newsletter
• How Breathing Through Your Nose Will Change Your Life with Patrick McKeown
• Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art by James Nestor
• 28 Reasons To Nose Breathe