mite to a ainerent Kina oi tooth decay pattern

mite to a ainerent Kina oi tooth decay pattern than usu ally seen. The typical mouth breather shows large whitish soft spots around the gum line of the front teeth, the result of drying of the foreign material that collects about the necks of the teeth. A continual mouth breather often develops a change In the post tlon of the teeth, or In other terms, ,may also develop a malocclusion. When the child continually holds his mouth open, the muscular support of the tongue and lower Up are lost to the upper teeth. The teeth collapse toward the Inside of the mouth, thereby narrowing the dental arch. Often the front teeth will begin to protrude. When a child continually breathes through his mouth, the air does not pass through the nose, missing the import ant function that the nose plays In preparing the air for the lungs. As dry, dirty, cold air from the outside passes through the nose, the air Is filtered by the hairs in the nose; It is warmed by the large mass of blood vessels that are inside the nose, and Is humidi fled by the moisture that the nose contains. Mouth breathing usually will result In an Increase in upper respi ratory Infections. The child will have more colds, or even suffer a more serious lung problem. Not every child who breathes through his mouth should be considered g mouth breather, for many childreh have short upper lips and will keep their mouths open while breathing though their nose. Who then, becomes a mouth breather? Children with narrow faces have a tendency to have narrow airways or noses, easily closed off because of a minor cold. Some children will have enlarged adenoid or tonsil tis sue, which normally grown in excess up to aboot -To years of age and then diminishes in size. During this period, the